New members offer fresh ideas, new talent and longevity to an organization. Having an effective recruitment and retention plan is essential for the long term success of any CIO
Recruitment
- Know and understand the goals and purpose of your organization
- Set recruitment goals—How many people do you wish to recruit? What sort of characteristics would an ideal new member possess? What sort of programming will draw our target members?
- Get the current membership involved. They are the current face of the CIO!
- Design a visual element—use members’ artistic talents to create a memorable PR plan
Retention
- Contact people who show interest early! Within one week is best
- Make it fun! CIO involvement shouldn’t be a burden
- Hold a socially-centered welcome event
- Make the first formal meeting fun
- Work and play together
- Get the new members involved immediately
- Orient the new members by introducing the mission, goals, norms, traditions of the CIO
- Get to know the members by planning icebreakers, etc. Remember their names!
- Show appreciation for the members
Ways to Show Appreciation:
- Be open to suggestions
- Give members responsibilities
- Hand out creative awards/certificates
- Have an ice cream social/pizza party
- Send someone to a workshop/conference
- Give prizes
- Identify potential
- Build on strengths
- Name an award after a member
- Announce Kudos
Sources:
“Membership Recruitment and Retention” The University of Maryland
“Give Them a Hand: How to Thank, Recognize and Motivate Members” Student Leader
