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

2. Organizing for Success
3 R’s of Membership
Recruitment
Retention
Recognition

3. 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).

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. Membership Recruitment
ACS Membership Affairs Committee
Membership Recruitment

8. 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?

9. Recruitment via Tool Kit Techniques
Prospects
Message
Techniques
Delivery
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

10. Real Membership Examples
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.
Message
Prospects
Techniques
Delivery

11. Real Membership Examples
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.
Message
Prospects
Techniques
Delivery

12. Real Membership Examples
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.
Message
Prospects
Techniques
Delivery

13. ACS Membership Affairs Committee
Membership Retention

14. 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 1st 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Toolkit Retention Ideas

19. Membership Recognition
ACS Membership Affairs Committee
Membership Recognition

20. Members often generously contribute their time, effort & energy
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

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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?