Virginia Federation of Chapters MEMBERSHIP 2010

 Each of the VFC actions in this presentation are interrelated. Without the VFC and our Chapters working as one, our goal of increasing membership within the VFC becomes more difficult. It is believed that with all of chapters utilizing these new incentives and with increased VFC support in developing membership plans, chapters should enhance their recruiting and retention efforts. Once again Federation and Chapter teamwork is essential! MEMBERSHIP 2010

 Most significant membership issue facing the VFC is retention.  If the VFC was able to retain all, or nearly all, new members acquired each year, the membership, even accounting for deaths, would be on a significant upward trajectory.  Membership Chairmen, and other members, need to personally contact each delinquent member.  Personal contact can provide positive feedback as to reason(s) for non-renewal.  Outside of serious illness or unreported death, most members will positively respond to a personal phone call or visit and renew. MEMBERSHIP 2010

 Individual VFC members may be sensitive to approaching prospective members with promotional material.  Material may not be readily available when the initial contact is made.  This form provides a great means to reach our neighbors, relatives or other acquaintances in an anonymous manner.  Prospective members name may be unknown to us but the address might be available.  Form is an excellent way to reach the many prospective members who live in our communities. MEMBERSHIP 2010

VIRGINIA FEDERATION OF CHAPTERS PROSPECTIVE MEMBER FORM NAME: ADDRESS: STATE:ZIP: MAILTO: MEMBERSHIP 2010

 Second most significant issue facing the VFC membership is acquiring and retaining Active Federal Employees (AFE).  Significant reluctance on the part of current VFC members to initiate and support functions and activities that appeal to AFE's.  Many current members find it difficult to interest AFE's in joining our organization.  ONE REASON It appears that many of the current members don't agree with the organizational title of National Active and Retired Federal Employees. MEMBERSHIP 2010

R - Remember how you felt as a new member. E - Easy - Make it easy! C - Can Do - Make it a "can-do" operation. R - Real Time - Make efforts relate to current & retired U - "U" are the tool that will make it work! I -I will try to be an "active" recruiter. T - Try It - It works! MEMBERSHIP 2010

VFC 5-STEP MEMBERSHIP PLA N WHAT are you going to do? WHO is going to do WHAT ? WHERE are you going to do it? WHEN are you going to do it? HOW are you going to do it? MEMBERSHIP 2010

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? OBVIOUS ANSWER  Aggressively target active federal employees and recent retirees  Find potential VFC members  Increase VFC retention rate MEMBERSHIP 2010

WHO IS GOING TO DO WHAT ?  Development of Plan lies with Chapter Executive Board and Membership Committee  Involve all Chapter members in implementation of Plan MEMBERSHIP 2010

WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT? Potential VFC members may be closer than you think Next-door neighborsChurches Recreation CentersCommunity Service Centers Senior CentersLocal Fairs Local BusinessesGovernment Agencies AARPPublic Libraries Adult Education ClassesOther Associations Chapter members belong to MEMBERSHIP 2010

WHEN are you going to do it? THE SOONER THE BETTER!!!!! MEMBERSHIP 2010

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT?  Do not wait until retirement to encourage membership  Always carry a membership application with you and give them out whenever possible  Participate in local Senior Expos/Events MEMBERSHIP 2010

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT ?  Extend an invitation to a representative of selected association to give presentation at a Chapter meeting  In no time you will learn that there are retired Federal employees in many other associations  Result will be new members for your Chapter  Nothing to lose and NEW MEMBERS TO GAIN MEMBERSHIP 2010

STRONG COMMUNICATION AIDS GREAT RECRUITMENT "Think Outside The Box"  Twitter  Facebook  Chapter / Federation Blogs  GOOGLE Search   Chapter / Federation Web Pages MEMBERSHIP 2010

INCENTIVES FOR RECRUITING, DUES WITHHOLDING, AND REINSTATEMENTS  Incentive For Recruiting Active Federal Employees (AFE)  Incentives For Using Dues Withholding  Incentive For Spousal Recruitment  Incentive For Reinstatements MEMBERSHIP 2010

INCENTIVE FOR RECRUITING ACTIVE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES (AFE)  Each AFE who is recruited by a chapter and pays the current application fee, will receive a $10 award  As a chapter benefit each chapter recruiting an AFE will receive a $10.00 award MEMBERSHIP 2010

INCENTIVE FOR RECRUITING ACTIVE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES (AFE)  Participate in all pre-retirement seminars, health fairs, and state conventions of like associations to the fullest extent possible.  Consider creating an incentive or "Finder's Fee", to attract more contracts for pre-retirement seminars.  Payable to anyone who provides a lead to PRS Coordinator that results in a pre-retirement seminar contract being signed. MEMBERSHIP 2010

INCENTIVES FOR USING DUES WITHHOLDING  Each retired Federal Employee who joins a NARFE chapter and who uses dues withholding to pay his/her National and Chapter dues, will receive a $20 incentive award  Existing chapter members who switch to dues withholding will receive a $20 incentive award MEMBERSHIP 2010

INCENTIVES FOR SPOUSAL RECRUITMENT  An existing chapter member's spouse who joins NARFE will receive a $10 award MEMBERSHIP 2010

INCENTIVES FOR REINSTATEMENTS (Chapter Benefit)  Each chapter in the VFC who reinstates a dropped member receive a $10 incentive award for each member who has been restored to active membership. This includes LSA and Life members who start paying their chapter dues again MEMBERSHIP 2010

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION  Contact new members by mail or phone to extend a warm welcome and invitation to the next chapter meeting.  Invitations to attend meetings and chapter social events should include spouses and other family members.  Ensure new member is greeted at first meeting and recognized by presiding officer. MEMBERSHIP 2010

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION  New members should be introduced to as many current members as possible.  Consider asking new member to say a few words about themselves to the membership.  Efforts should be made to encourage new members to consider becoming active in the chapter, being careful not to apply pressure. MEMBERSHIP 2010

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION  Spouses should also be encouraged to participate in program activities and other events, and encouraged to also become members.  Present new member with a packet of information about the chapter which may include: list of officers and phone numbers, chapter bylaws, legislative agenda, chapter newsletter, etc. MEMBERSHIP 2010

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION  Ask a current member should be asked to brief each new member regarding chapter organization, program activities, policies and procedures, and answer questions.  Explain the benefits and advantages of NARFE membership, including major legislative victories. MEMBERSHIP 2010

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION  Introduce new members to the chapter service officer at the earliest opportunity  Insure that new members receive information regarding assistance with personnel matters and coordination with OPM, if necessary, concerning problems or death benefits. MEMBERSHIP 2010

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION  Provide your new member with a name badge which includes the agency from which they retired.  This is a good way to get the member acquainted with other chapter members.  Follow-up with new members after a few months to solicit ideas and comments about chapter programs, activities and other matters. MEMBERSHIP 2010

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION  Encourage renewal of NARFE Membership by calling the NARFE- HQ toll-free telephone number and providing a credit card. The number to call is NARFE Membership at 1-(800) With NARFE membership number RENEWAL IS QUICK AND EASY !!!!!  Instant renewal very helpful to the members 2nd Notices MEMBERSHIP 2010

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION  Incorporate instant renewal information into 2nd Notice Letters sent out by Chapter Membership Chairs  Contact members who have been dropped and invite them to continue with a warm letter or friendly telephone call  Follow-up successful letters/telephone calls with a "THANK YOU" MEMBERSHIP 2010

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION  Do a survey to determine interests of members  Listen to members suggestions Members are "LOST" because of our lack of interest in them. Ask members for suggestions regarding meeting format  Identify and study the issues which maybe causing members to walk away MEMBERSHIP 2010

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION  Prepare an aggressive chapter plan for dues withholding  Emphasize to all members the benefits/savings of dues withholding  Call and write to all new members that are recruited by Headquarters MEMBERSHIP 2010

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION  Maintain constant contact with AFEs by , telephone and mail  Get new members actively involved as soon as possible after joining  Establish a Chapter Welcome Committee MEMBERSHIP 2010

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION  Take aggressive actions to overcome the demographic differences between the younger potential members, including both AFEs and recent retirees, and current membership, to encourage membership recruitment and retention MEMBERSHIP 2010

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION  Finally - - DO NOT RELY ON NARFE HEADQUARTERS TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS OR TO RESOLVE CHAPTER RETENTION ISSUES  You know your members better than HQ  Be creative on the local level MEMBERSHIP 2010

HAND-OUTS Letter of Condolence Letter to Dropped Member Member Exit Survey New Member Survey Member Retention Letter New Member Welcome Letter (AFE) New Member Welcome Letter (Retired Employee) MEMBERSHIP 2010

THANKS TO California State Federation of Chapters Oklahoma Federation of Chapters Tennessee Federation of Chapters Virginia Federations of Chapters MEMBERSHIP 2010

VFC "Bringing Employees and Retirees Together" MEMBERSHIP 2010