LYCOMING COLLEGE Sept. 8, 2007 Williamsport, PA Solving the Problem of Member Retention Presented by Butch Oxendine Executive Director, ASGA

Solving the Problem of Member Retention NO GROUP Can Keep Every Member. Period.

Solving the Problem of Member Retention Why Do Your Members ?

Solving the Problem of Member Retention They Quit Because… Grades sufferGrades suffer Get sickGet sick Get tired of groupGet tired of group Find other groupsFind other groups Need to workNeed to work Find a “significant other”Find a “significant other” Would rather partyWould rather party Would rather hang outWould rather hang out Have internship Have family responsibilities Would rather be with friends Would rather sleep Need to study more Are taking harder classes AND HUNDREDS MORE REASONS!

Solving the Problem of Member Retention You Stop Them From Quitting And this plan covers the whole year WITH A RETENTION PLAN

Solving the Problem of Member Retention Warm & Fuzzy “I love this group! It rocks! Critical “To Do’s” Review Previous Group AccomplishmentsReview Previous Group Accomplishments Team BuildingTeam Building Goal SettingGoal Setting Get Them Involved IMMEDIATELYGet Them Involved IMMEDIATELY The Beginning of the Year

Solving the Problem of Member Retention Set Realistic Goals

Solving the Problem of Member Retention Ask for their help…and mean it

Solving the Problem of Member Retention Reality Bites “Whoa! This is a lot harder than I thought!” Critical “To Do’s” Review GoalsReview Goals Status CheckStatus Check Personal OutreachPersonal Outreach Training OpportunitiesTraining Opportunities The End of the First Month

Solving the Problem of Member Retention Be As Quick to Compliment as You Are to Criticize!

Solving the Problem of Member Retention No Pain, No Gain “It’s really hard to stay involved in this group” Critical “To Do’s” Talk and Connect ( , web site, IM, phone)Talk and Connect ( , web site, IM, phone) Encourage and RewardEncourage and Reward Offer SupportOffer Support Stomp Out GossipStomp Out Gossip The Middle of the Year

Solving the Problem of Member Retention Say “thank you” publicly and privately. Be specific about what he/she did well. Write him thank-you letters, notes, or hand-written postcards.

Solving the Problem of Member Retention Don’t gossip!

Solving the Problem of Member Retention No Pain, No Gain “It’s really hard to stay involved in this group” Critical “To Do’s” Review ProgressReview Progress Determine Final GoalsDetermine Final Goals Review MissionReview Mission Team BuildingTeam Building The Last Months of the Year

Solving the Problem of Member Retention If you give a staffer a task, let her finish it.

Solving the Problem of Member Retention Time to Move On “We did it and I helped in a big way!” Critical “To Do’s” Celebrate SuccessCelebrate Success Share ThanksShare Thanks Say GoodbyesSay Goodbyes Recruit for Next YearRecruit for Next Year The End of the Year

Solving the Problem of Member Retention With a Retention Plan Your Group Can Keep Most of Its Members.