Membership Tool Kit for Local Sections & Divisions ACS Membership Affairs Committee

Organizing for Success 3 R’s of Membership Recruitment RecognitionRetention

MAC Recruitment & Retention Our Mission:  To increase the recruitment and retention of all chemical professionals into the Society including underrepresented groups (minorities, women, technicians, undergraduates and non-traditional chemical professionals).

MAC Recruitment & Retention Goal:  To support this mission by developing and promoting programs and initiatives that integrate new members and underrepresented groups into the Society.

Objectives & Drivers  To open a focused, ongoing dialogue with divisions, local sections, the Committee on Local Section Activities (LSAC) and the Committee on Divisional Activities (DAC) on membership recruitment, retention & recognition  To share the membership toolkit with you & our plans to promote its resources & ideas  To understand what existing strategies and mechanisms your committees have for promoting membership & to share them with other local sections & divisions within ACS

Objectives & Drivers To identify:  specific, real examples of local sections and divisions best practices and creative membership ideas.  existing forums such as teleconferences or meetings to highlight successful membership initiatives.  other ways we can help you or resources we can provide you to achieve your membership-related goals

Membership Recruitment ACS Membership Affairs Committee

Membership Recruitment New members bring new ideas, increase the pool of volunteers and brings a fresh perspective.  What are the benefits of joining your Local Section or Division?  How do you highlight and sell these benefits to your group?  Do your members come to meetings and actively participate in activities?

Recruitment via Tool Kit Techniques Message Prospects TechniquesDelivery Develop a Good Message access info in field, continue education, network, career advancement, recognition Identify Good Prospects new members, former members, affiliates Use Recruitment Techniques use members to communicate value of membership Deliver the Message personal and formal invitation, application forms and brochures

Real Membership Examples Message ProspectsTechniquesDelivery The POLY Division hosts Saturday evening "business card exchange" and program to recognize members who have been members with a division pin. The TOXI Division has its active senior industrial members participate in outreach to industry members with a specific focus on recruitment of younger chemists.

Real Membership Examples Message ProspectsTechniquesDelivery The WESTERN NY YCC hosts a holiday party, a welcome picnic and a potluck summer picnic to attract new members. The DELAWARE YCC hosts bimonthly happy hours to foster networking & build its chemical community outside of regular meetings.

Real Membership Examples Message ProspectsTechniquesDelivery The NORTHEASTERN YCC established a foreign student exchange program. Members & exchange students attend a poster session & research conference as well as a Red Sox game & Symphony performance. The San Diego YCC held a workshop to empower foreign-born chemists/ scientists on issues related to the US immigration process and work visas.

Membership Retention ACS Membership Affairs Committee

Membership Retention Retaining members is not a given. In the ACS, members in their first 5 years are the most at-risk to not renew. The retention rate of 1 st year members is 63%.  Why have your members left? How is your membership demographics trending?  Do you have a welcoming process or personalized approach to membership?  Do you consistently make a good first impression with new members? Understanding why your members join & stay is key

Why ACS Members Join and Stay  Sense of Community  Value  Access to Information

Why ACS Members Join and Stay  Positive Membership Experiences  Leadership and/or volunteer opportunities  Benefits and Services  Varies based on different stages in someone’s career & personal development

Sources of Retention Examples  LSAC – Annual reports, innovative project grants, Senior Chemists group  DAC – Annual reports, innovative grant reports  YCC & WCC ChemLuminaries award winners & contestants

Toolkit Retention Ideas

Membership Recognition ACS Membership Affairs Committee

Role of Recognition Members often generously contribute their time, effort & energy Appropriate Recognition Should:  Happen in a timely manner  Be personalized and specific Remember:  Both group and individual recognition is important  To take the time to nominate your volunteers & programs for an ACS Award

Role of Recognition Proven Recognition Ideas  Publicly thank your volunteers & teams in newsletters, at meetings & on your website  Send personal notes of congratulations for a job well done & when members reach milestones  Purchase inexpensive items e.g. through ACS’ online store  Host gatherings to honor recipients of awards at meetings and events  Send notes to supervisor or HR

Organizing for Success develop a plan of action with owners & timeframes to recruit, retain, and recognize members develop a plan of action with owners & timeframes to recruit, retain, and recognize members identify specific goals for each objective identify specific goals for each objective set objectives Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

Next Steps  Focused Dialogue:  We invite LSAC and DAC to MAC Recruitment & Retention Subcommittee Meetings  We would like to Attend your Meetings & Events as well to Promote the 3 R’s of Membership

Next Steps  We Encourage You to Promote the Membership Toolkit Within your Existing Meetings & Events:  As a Topic During the Quarterly LS Chairs Teleconference  During Division Program Chairs Luncheon  At Informal Receptions & Gatherings of Local Section & Division Members  In Newsletters & List Serve Publications

Next Steps  Strategies/ Real Examples for Promoting Membership  We would like to continue learning about your best practices from your annual & innovative project reports so that we may share the ideas with other local sections and divisions  Would like to identify members to share their personal experiences & success stories  What other ways can we help you achieve your membership-related goals?