How To Grow Our Membership

Fred Rogers…frrtx@icloud.com…972-977-9342

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What are our Objectives?

• Believe that we can!• Acknowledge the need for growth• Understand the role of strong leadership • Importance of a Membership Committee • Identify written Action Plan elements• Review

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“I Think I Can”Positive Thinking is Powerful

and Contagious!

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Why Is Membership Growth Important?

• To maintain a dynamic voice in Washington that will continue to protect the interest of all veterans, service members and their families

• If we fail to grow…it is only a matter of time before we cease to exist…it is our lifeblood!

Our Leadership is committed to Membership Growth, and we must all support that initiative

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5 Traits of Successful Commanders

1 - Leadership…out in front2 - Training…teaching / learning3 - Mentoring…helping develop others4 - Monitoring…follow up5 - Motivating…appreciate & recognize

accomplishments

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What Is An “Escalator Society”?

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The Threat of an “Escalator” Society

• Have we become so accustomed to “taking the escalator” that we forget that we must take “Steps” to be successful?

• Do we want to arrive at our destination without taking the trip?

• Success will occur when we take the proper steps and plan

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5 Steps to SuccessStep #1 - Division & District CommandersStep #2 - Post CommandersStep #3 - Post 1st Vice Commanders Step #4 - Membership CommitteeStep #5 - A written Action Plan

Let’s discuss each step individually…

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Step #1Division & District Commanders you must•Place a high priority on membership growth and achieving goals•Clearly express your positive expectations that achieving assigned goals is not optional•Stress that it is the responsibility of each Post Commander and get their agreement

Communicate – Monitor – Mentor - Motivate9

Step #2

Post Commanders you must…• Place a high priority on membership growth and achieving goals •Clearly express your positive expectations that achieving assigned goals is not optional •Stress that it is the responsibility of each Post member and get their agreement

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Step #31st Vice Commanders you must…–Be committed and have a positive attitude–Make a written status report at all meetings…–where are we now? –how will we get to where we are going?

Lead your committee to success

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Step #4

Develop a Post Membership Committee•Divide up the work…assign specific responsibilities•Involve the entire membership – “everyone recruits one”•Make it a “Family Project”– Legion, Auxiliary & Sons

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Step #5

Develop a written plan…it is your roadmap to success…the tactics•What do we need to do?•How are we going to do it?•Who is going to do it?•When will it be accomplished?

Keep it Simple and Flexible

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Six Elements Of An Effective Membership Plan

1. Retention2. Renewals3. Recruiting4. Legion Programs5. Communicate – “Spread the Word”6. Reward

Let’s discuss each element… 14

Element #1 - Retention

• #1 Objective is to “Close the Back Door”• Involve your membership• Post activities• Solicit involvement on committees• Personal phone calls• Personal visits

Communicate, Listen & Appreciate

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Element #2 - Renewal

• Set aggressive deadlines• Fast Start –25% by July 31st

–50% by August 31st–100% by Veterans Day

• Personal phone calls & visitsYou will finish the same way you start…

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Element #3 - Recruiting • Use Headquarters “345” Roster–Personal letters & Phone calls–mylegion.org

• Expired Member List• Membership Drives–Major Retailers–All Post events

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Element #4 – Legion Programs• Boys State• Oratorical• Boy Scouts• Legion Baseball• Junior Shooting• High School JROTC• School Awards

Your Post will grow if you are involved in your Community!

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Element #5 - CommunicateDoes your Community know what you are doing and why? ExternalDoes your membership know what you are doing and why? Internal•Public Service Announcements•Post website…is it up to date?•Social Media…Facebook•Public Access TV

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Element #6 - Reward!

• National Commanders Annual Award• Lone Star Recruiter Award• Posts / District Competitions• Continuous Years - recognition• Citations – “Certificate Maker” CD

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Review• We must believe!• We must recognize the need for growth• Understand the role of strong leadership• Importance of a Membership Committee• Develop a written Action Plan • Five Action Plan Elements: Retain,

Renew, Recruit, Legion Programs & Communicate

• Reward successes21

One Last Comment

ExecutionIs

Essential22