• Involve the board in retention efforts. The health and growth of the organization is already among the board’s responsibilities. Divide the membership among the board and devise a retention system that awards points to board members for each member of their “team” during the year. i.e. 1 point if they attend a meeting, 25 points if they renew, etc., etc. Get commitment from the top volunteer leaders to not only talk about the importance of member participation and retention but also do something about it.
• Colour code correspondence so members can quickly identify types of information. Such as one for educational info., one for legislative, etc.)
• Institute a “thank you” column in publication to recognize members for involvement and leadership.
• Send a member profile form to new members to gain information.
• Have a special edition of your publication focus on how your organization is helping members prepare for the next century.
• Be sure your Web page has hot links to individual members for business referrals and networking purposes.
• Keep experienced members active through targeted involvement. Need to keep older members and new ones interested and involved. Keep the activities meaningful.

• Give an incentive, such as a free gift, to members who renew by a certain date.
• Have a renewal lottery.
• Generate segmented and targeted renewal notices. Tell each segment how membership benefited them this year.
• Send a special certificate of thanks to first-time renewals. The first two years produce the most drops. Focus hard on the first renewal.
• Identify and recognize members with the most tenure. Sends a message that people stay a long-time.
• Identify at least four specific contacts to make with first year members that are above and beyond the normal. Phone, fax or special newsletter.
• Develop a written retention plan. Incl. Retention goals (retention rate, retention rates by category, % of drops that were first year members, activities to be undertaken, resources available to help, etc.
• Do an e-mail survey of important questions and issues as they arise.
• Establish an involvement committee. Purpose to get members to participate in some way.

More Ideas for Retaining Members!

These ideas for retaining members are not in any particular order. Take a moment to think about each one, and choose those that you think will work for your club, adapting them as you wish. We hope that they will help your club grow and become strong!

• Send a thank you note EVERY time somebody comes to visit!
• Include networking tips in newsletter or new member pack. Networking is a primary reason for joining and one of the most important benefits to offer. Produce a short article or checklist on how to use these networking opportunities more effectively. Add to a meeting or convention brochure. You could email the list (with individual member’s permission) to pre-registered attendees shortly before conference.
• Use testimonials from some members who aren’t active but still feel membership is valuable. If members feel we understand and are trying to help them cope with challenges they are more likely to renew. Ask those who are not active but continue to renew to contact other inactive members.
• Use Jeopardy marketing putting it in the form of a question. “Wouldn’t it be great if someone were working everyday to tell the public about….?” Or “Wouldn’t it be nice if every month someone brought to your door another form of continuing education and a place to find out about job openings?”
• Conduct focus groups by phone. Members with varying years of experience focusing on the needs of a small segment. New member focus group. Send all participants an agenda and set of rules. Take attendance; let everyone know who is attending. Make a list of who speaks so you know who to ask for input.