IDEAS PRESENTED MAY 18TH AT VANDENBERG AFB

We are now into the second phase of “Give Me 10!” for 2007 and California recruitment numbers are still low compared to other councils and chapters nationwide.

So what are the secrets of success?

According to Col Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret, Director, MOAA Council and Chapter Affairs, when speaking at the May 2006 Chapter Presidents Leadership Workshop, Vandenberg Air Force Base, the key is to make a personal contact.

Frankly, you just have to get into the car, drive to an armory or armed forces facility, go to where the officers are, make a contact, and deliver a short but effective sales presentation.

And it helps to go armed with certain handout resources–a copy of Military Officer Magazine and chapter newsletter as samples, a custom made membership application form, a written summary of “Who We Are and What We Do” (Contra Costa Chapter created and published a beautiful pamphlet that is sure to become a model for all of us), perhaps a listing of chapter directors, officers and committee chairs with short three or four line biographies, and even a listing of new members recruited recently, sure to impress if the list is long.

Targeted recruiting efforts often pay off big. Chapters are finding that mailings to officers on the MOAA provided prospect and lapsed lists generally bring about a 2% return. Another list sometimes available is a listing of MOAA National members who have just relocated to the local area or are new members, often a good source of new chapter members.

But nothing beats locating officers in the area, and specifically active duty, National Guard and reserve officers, and approaching them directly and in person. It’s possible to get lucky–visit an armory and be given a chance to make a short presentation during an officers call, often picking up six or eight new members in one grand sweep.

Col Lange stressed the importance of being visible in the community, displaying the MOAA logo, making special presentations before the service clubs and other groups, and on base participating in retiree affairs events, creating a presence at unit locations, and even by placing spare copies of the chapter’s newsletter at the exchange or commissary, if there is one nearby.

Publicity is very important. The chapter can start by sending news releases about chapter meetings, speakers, or special activities and events; or, failing that, by placing paid advertisements in publications likely to reach officers, publications such as local unit newsletters and/or magazines, again if any. Establishment of a personal relationship with local National Guard and reserve commanders often opens doors to publicity opportunities.

Finally, an incentive program should be established for chapter members. It would be important to do some research, find out what sort of incentive it would take to motivate a member to go out and recruit. The “Give Me 10!” program incentives offer clues to the kinds of things local chapters might do.

In the final analysis, recruiting is easier when the chapter offers a broad range of activities and events, provides an interesting, entertaining, and informative speaker at general membership meetings, and when the chapter becomes known to local citizens through full community involvement.

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