Prepared by Region X Membership Retention Committee, August, 2008

THE COMMITTEE MISSION: Develop a regional retention action plan for Region X, and make it available as a useful instrument for all regions to consider.

MEMBERSHIP: WHAT & WHY ? NARFE Membership = Strength in numbers. For NARFE to be successful helping us retain our retirement benefits, we must have and maintain a strong membership. NARFE Membership = a dynamic mix of recruitment and retention. Recruitment (GET ‘EM) is critical for NARFE to grow a strong, energetic membership base. Retention (KEEP ‘EM) is very critical for NARFE to not only grow the base but to maintain needed leadership. RECRUITED Membership = member diversity (active federal employees and retirees) and diversity in dues categories (from dues paid annually to dues withheld from annuities to Life and Honorary members). Recruitment is adding a significant number of members to NARFE each year. RETAINING Membership = a major NARFE problem, currently negating all the gain accomplished by membership recruitment.

NARFE R E T E N T I O N NARFE MEMBERSHIP IN ALL REGIONS AND IN MOST CHAPTERS IS DECLINING GREATLY !! RETENTION OF MEMBERS IS A CRITICAL PROBLEM BECAUSE OUR INFLUENCE ON CAPITOL HILL IS BASED ON OUR VOTING STRENGTH. THE PREDOMINATE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP IS MEMBERS CHOOSING TO LEAVE NARFE.

NARFE NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP TREND

NARFE REGION X MEMBERSHIP TREND

Diverse membership age and status must be considered by chapter management to meet our membership needs and interests.

1-Year 2-Year 3-Year Dues With. Life Honorary Region X 55 % 13 % 11 % 12 % 7 % 2 % National 50 % 9 % 7 % 21 % 9 % 4 % NARFE dues categories are diverse and they differ in membership retention.

Membership Gain/Loss for North Carolina Over 3 Years

Reasons Members Drop Their Membership (NARFE Recruiter’s Journal, August, 2008) 1.NARFE has not lived up to its promises on WEP, GPO, and Premium Conversion. 2. The chapter meetings are boring and a waste of time; a social club for old people. 3. NARFE dues are too high for what you get. 4. Chapter members were cold and distant. I felt unwelcome. 5. If I could become a National-only member and get the magazine, I’d rejoin NARFE. That is all I want.

Retention Action Plan National : Continue highlighting successes – Track Progress Provide specific funding – Promote Incentives Review/revise publications for retention and databases – ProvideTools

Retention Action Plan Region :Promote membership retention through the following activities (as appropriate):  Include retention as a specific item of major importance at Regional conferences.  Develop incentive guidelines for chapter recognition.  Promote the Retention Plan as equal to a recruiting plan.  Ensure that presentations/workshops are part of Federation conventions.  Monitor and highlight Regional retention activity across Federations.

Retention Action Plan Federation :Leadership at all levels and members should focus on retention of members. It is everyone’s job. Appoint a Federation Retention Coordinator. Involve the Area/District Vice-Presidents, particularly in training/workshop activities and in promoting the ‘Chapter Cluster’ concept (grouping chapters to work on common issues). Include ‘Retention’ on annual convention agendas. Budget the plan.

Retention Action Plan Federation (Cont.): Develop skill training material with retention impact. Train the trainers who will then train members within local chapters. Emphasize chapter executive planning meetings. Develop ‘New Member Orientation Welcome Kits’. Coordinate/monitor the retention plan.

Retention Action Plan Chapters : Begin retention emphasis at time of recruitment. Emphasize attending your Federation training workshops. Appoint/Select a team to develop a membership plan to include equal emphasis on retention and recruitment. Work your Action Plan. Develop policies for reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses. Encourage Dues Withholding.

Retention Action Plan Chapter (Cont.) Actively pursue a variety of Communication, Inclusion, and Assistance activities aimed at enhancing retention of members. The following are part of myriad of important activities that should be considered: Communication –  Respond to monthly M112 reports; a personalized contact by phone (preferable) or by letter to prospective members, new or reinstated members, members who received a second dues notice, dropped members, members transferring out, and families of deceased members.

Retention Action Plan Chapter (Cont.) Communication –  Utilize a newsletter to keep in touch with your membership.  Provide information on dues withholding and other membership options.  Encourage members to provide addresses so that information of immediate concern or your newsletter can be distributed electronically.

Retention Action Plan Chapter (Cont.) Communication –  Ensure that information about work and activities within the chapter is made known.  Use a telephone tree to encourage members to attend chapter meetings.  Provide interesting and varied programs with interesting speakers at chapter meetings.

Retention Action Plan Chapter (Cont.) Inclusion –  Contact all new and returning members with a personal welcome, NARFE information, and incentive for attending next chapter meeting.  Chapter president should follow-up first contact with a personal welcome.  Welcome new members who attend a chapter meeting, and seat them with a friendly group of chapter members.

Retention Action Plan Chapter (Cont.) Inclusion –  Use a ‘Buddy System’ by assigning new members to current members.  Introduce new members and guests at chapter meetings.  Issue orientation kits to new members at first meeting.  Provide activities/projects outside the normal chapter meetings in which members can participate.

Retention Action Plan Chapter (Cont.) Assistance –  Emphasize information related to NARFE mission, NARFE priorities, service officer assistance, NARFE PAC, etc. at Chapter meetings and in newsletter.  Have reports from Legislative officer, Membership chair, Service officer, Public Relations officer, Program chair, and other key leaders at each chapter meeting.  Ensure that key leaders address issues of concern to chapter members.

Retention Action Plan Chapter (Cont.) Assistance –  Provide information about local chapters to members transferring to another chapter and offer assistance in the transfer.  Ensure that members eligible for Honorary NARFE membership receive it and celebrate this at chapter meetings and in your newsletter.

Region X Action Plan Members :Support the mission of RETAINING membership.