The Three Rs of Membership Recruiting, Retention, Recognition

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The Three Rs of Membership Recruiting,
Retention, Recognition

• District 56 Toastmasters
• Nancy Starr, DTM
• May 2004

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Why Are We Here?

• To get help? To help others?
• Learn to analyze the club environment
• Develop techniques for the 3 Rs
• Identify the resources available

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Definitions the 3 Rs

• Recruiting
• Bringing new members into the club
• Retention
• Keeping members active
• Recognition
• Rewarding positive behavior
• They are all related and inter-dependent

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Toastmaster Club Facts

• All clubs have life cycles
• Average member stays in for 18 months
• All clubs need to be constantly looking to
  replace members
• All clubs need to focus on keeping their existing
  members

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Why Do Members Leave?

• Positive reasons
• Theyve met all their goals
• Theyve received a huge promotion and are now too
  busy
• They won the lottery

• Not-so-positive reasons
• Death
• Layoffs/transfers
• Other priorities
• Poor club quality
• People dont care

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Recruiting

• What are the keys to successful recruiting?
• Get the word out
• Invite members in
• Provide a quality meeting
• ASK them to join!

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Retention

• What are the keys to successful retention?
• Every member has a goal
• Missing members are contacted
• Quality club meetings
• Members have mentors
• Every member receives recognition

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Recognition

• What are the keys to successful recognition?
• New members are voted in
• Educational awards are celebrated
• Personal accomplishments are recognized
• Club accomplishments are celebrated

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Balancing the 3 Rs
Retention
Recruiting
Recognition
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The First Step

• Analyze the Situation
• Do we need more members?
• Do our current members stay?
• Do we have guests, and do they join?
• Do we have a healthy club climate?
• Do the members feel good about the club?

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Tools for Analysis

• Club DCP
• Moments of Truth
• Membership reports
• Guest book

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How to Balance?

• Next step Review Alternatives
• Improve meeting quality
• Promotions and Advertising
• Open House programs
• SpeechCraft program
• Membership contest
• Celebrations!

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Improving Club Quality

• Trained Club Officers
• Clearly communicated schedule
• Use Mentor Minutes to introduce expectations
  and new traditions
• Everyone is involved and working toward a goal
• Celebrate success!

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Mission of the Club

• The Mission of a Toastmasters Club is to provide
  a mutually supportive environment in which every
  member has the opportunity to develop
  communication and leadership skills, which in
  turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

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Finally

• Develop a Plan Follow Through!
• Agree upon
• What is going to happen
• When it will happen
• Who will make it happen
• How to measure success

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Do You Need Help?

• Resources are available
• Speechcraft
• Open House programs
• Mentor minutes
• Area Governor
• Adopt a Club
• Club Coaches

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The Club Coach

• Appointed by the District Governor
• Cannot be a member of the club at the time of the
  appointment
• Stays with the club up to one year
• Goal Distinguished Club or better!

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Call to Action

• Step up to Leadership Now!
• Help your club, or reach out to another!

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Balancing the 3 Rs
Retention
Recruiting
Recognition