The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.

Recruiting (and Keeping) Enthusiastic New Members
By Tracee Walker

Is your chapter suffering from Vanishing Member Syndrome? You know the routine. You mail letters of invitation, host an informative new member orientation, and induct a group of new members. Then, it seems, before the last bite of cake is consumed at the induction ceremony, your new recruits vanish, not to be seen or heard from until graduation. If Vanishing Member Syndrome has you searching for a cure, we've got just what the doctor ordered.

Right from the Start. For many potential members, the new member orientation is their first opportunity to meet the chapter and its members face-to-face. For most chapters, the orientation involves a healthy dose of dialogue addressing ways members can become involved coupled with dizzying directions for payment and paperwork.

This plan starts with great intentions - to inform potential members about all of the great things your chapter is doing while taking care of housekeeping issues like payment deadlines and application procedures. Unfortunately, the potential member often becomes overwhelmed with your enthusiasm at the prospect of gaining new recruits. In this overwhelmed state, he or she quickly translates your words into "sign up now," "we have a lot of work to do," "we need your money and your help," and leaves the meeting thinking, "I don't have time for this."

For your next orientation, change the focus. Try focusing more discussion on member benefits rather than chapter activities. This way, potential members can see what's in it for them. Phi Theta Kappa's membership benefits are numerous, so pick some of the most popular like scholarship opportunities and recognition at graduation as the focus of your discussions. Remember, members will have lots of time to sign up for activities after they are inducted.

Build the Ties That Bind. When you feel like an accepted part of the group, you are more likely to become involved in the group. Help your new members find their place in your chapter. Try giving them something that identifies them as a vital part of your group like a group photo taken at the induction ceremony. Resist the urge to turn this into a fundraiser. The bonds you build with this gesture can bring you big returns throughout the year.

Immediately following your induction, continue to keep the lines of communication open with your new members. While you are still fresh in their minds, send them a "Welcome to the Chapter" note congratulating them on their recent induction and reminding them of your next chapter activity.

Focus on Fun. Rather than bombarding new recruits with the "work" of organizing Honors Study Topic discussions, service programs, car washes and bake sales right away, focus on the fun of fellowship. When was the last time you left a fellowship event or regional meeting feeling depressed and uninspired? Probably, the answer is never. So share that fun with new recruits by hosting a multi-chapter fellowship event or attending a regional meeting together.

Tell Them About It. To keep everyone enthused about membership, remember to keep them informed throughout the year. Your communications should not be lengthy, but should be easily accessible and timely. Try using a variety of tools including newsletters, websites, bulletin boards, email messages and event cards to deliver your message early. Nothing can deflate an enthusiastic member quicker than receiving notice of an event, when it's too late to make plans to attend.

Reward Their Enthusiasm. Phi Theta Kappa members are typically very goal-oriented, so set a goal for them by designing an Enhanced Membership Program. This program gives members incentive to build an enthusiastic, active chapter. Members who participate on various levels throughout the year receive special rewards like a chapter pin; a free stole, tassel or honors cord for graduation; or priority consideration for travel funds to regional and international meetings. Refer to Chapter 13 of the 2001-02 Chapter Resource Manual for additional guidance on designing an Enhanced Membership Program that works for you.

Start with some of these ideas and you may finish with Vanishing Member Syndrome as a thing of the past!

Copyright 1996-2002 by Phi Theta Kappa, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The name, logo and various titles have been registered with the U.S. Patent Office.

This page last modified -- Friday, 14-Nov-2003 11:00:21 CST (cwe)