Membership…What’s in it for Me?
Halloween is not the only way to SPOOK your members! Sometimes the beginning of a club year is overwhelming with many activities and can FRIGHTEN members. Does your club VALUE members’ TIME? Are your club’s projects and programs SCARY or MEANINGFUL?? Is there enough DIVERSITY to grab (and KEEP) the interest of new members??
- If your membership is lacking the normal excitement, consider surveying your members to see if your club needs to make some adjustments
- Change meeting times to increase attendance (even virtual meetings should be fun and well attended!)
- “Retire” projects that are no longer beneficial to your club and members
- Involve those newer members – what WAS it that made them want to join?
- Club members’ time is valuable – evaluate your projects and programs to ensure your members STAY excited and engaged
- Look at the new CSP project and program ideas and find something new for this year. Offer a few choices and let the members choose which they will commit to – give them ownership!
- Have members record club infomercials on topics such as Leadership (I’m a CSP Chair, now what do I do?) and New Members Orientation (how the local club fits in the District, State, and GFWC) then share via email, FaceBook, Instagram, and on your club’s website.
- Embrace your club members’ strengths and DIVERSITY – host monthly virtual Holiday Decorating Classes – fall centerpieces using pumpkins as vases, wreath making, cookie baking & recipe exchange, or virtual progressive dinner with a different cuisine at each home – report them as an Arts project, activity for Health and Wellness, or International Affairs program for Education!
- Visually survey your members during meetings – are they paying attention or are they secretly playing Word Finder or scrolling FaceBook or Instagram during a presentation?
- Mix things up a little – rearrange your meeting agenda
- Throw in a pop quiz and offer a great prize – this can also be done virtually!
- Play Federation or Membership Bingo with prizes
- Have members read a book one month and discuss it as your meeting program – consider a book on DIVERSITY and then you can REPORT it under a new CSP!
Amp up excitement within your club membership – post events and activities on social media – be sure to utilize #GFWCNC!!
Don’t forget our incentive for this club year! The GFWC-NC Membership Committee is drawing at the end of each of the four “seasons” for a $25 gift card to help your club celebrate its newest members! There will be another drawing at the end of the year for a $100 gift card and other fun stuff for your club. Your club must submit the GFWC Seasonal Recruitment Campaign Report to GFWC and send a copy to Kim Fulcher. Be sure to submit for each “season” your club adds new members. Even if you only took in one new member – REPORT it and your club will be eligible for the drawing. Congratulations to the Mary Stewart Woman’s Club for winning the Summer gift card – the next drawing will be in December!