|
The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
February/
March 2003
Issue
|
|
|
How does your chapter Motivate Members to get involved?
Some chapters have
all the fun - and the most active members!
Why do some chapters have members who get up and go, while other chapters’
members seem to have got up and went? Get the real story from chapters
whose members got excited and stayed involved.
Get Their Attention
“Advisors began contacting the enrolled members from previous years and
scheduled a reception for them with the college president and administrators.
Personal postcard invitations from the president’s office announcing the
first chapter meeting were mailed to every enrolled member. The meeting
was held in the President’s Board Room, and the turnout was exceptional,
despite the fact that it was held on a Friday afternoon. These students
visited afterward, getting acquainted, and most signed up to become involved
on a team.”
Sharon
Stier, Chapter Advisor, Everett Community College, Everett, Washington
Lure Them In
“We needed new
officers, but we realized first we needed people to actually attend the
meetings - and with only one semester left, we really needed to get moving.
We planned a general meeting, and personally called all newly inducted
members to invite them and tell them we would be electing two positions
and setting up committees. We also put up tons of posters all over the
school and noted that light refreshments, along with a door prize, would
be offered. We got a good turnout, and held the elections at that meeting.”
Zucu Bermann,
Vice President of Leadership, Penn Valley Community College, Kansas City,
Missouri
Show Them the Way
“Our chapter officers serve as motivational role models. When relatively
inactive members see us setting and reaching goals, they see what is possible
and they want to become a part of it.”
Vicky
Halleck, Chapter President, Yavapai College, Prescott, Arizona
Recognize and Reward
Them
“We have
started awarding participation certificates to members who participate
in any event, and award gifts to members who put in the most time for
an activity. We have an enhanced membership program by which we feature
a member of the month, officer of the month, and committee of the month,
as well as officer and member of the year. I couldn’t believe the difference
in our meetings from the beginning of the year to now, just by giving
the members something to work for.”
Chrystal
Miller, Chapter President, Central Florida Community College, Ocala, Florida
Give Them a Sense
of Belonging
“Members of our chapter are asked to give of themselves in any way they
can. Many attend our bi-monthly meetings while others stay informed and
participate in chapter activities by making phone calls, giving ideas
and suggestions electronically and keeping informed by way of our chapter
electronic news board. Activities, dates, and help needed are posted and
members meet our needs as their schedules allow. Without question, this
has resulted in the best year of our long 28-year history. We don’t force
our members to be involved, but strongly encourage them to get the most
out of the organization by spending an hour a week working on chapter
projects or aiding those who can be more intimately involved. A true sense
of belonging is a strong motivational force we take full advantage of
in our chapter.”
Larry
Polk, Chapter Advisor, Richland College, Dallas, Texas
For more ideas on
motivating members, contact Chapter Officer Coordinator Brandi Young at
brandi.young@ptk.org
or 601.984.3580.
|
|
