1. Path to Successful Membership Recruitment & Retention Virginia State Council’s Membership Committee & Membership Task Force Committee Presenters: Charlie Montgomery and Sam Thompson

2. How Do Chapters Establish A To Successful Recruitment & Retention of Members

3. Start With the Five Key Building Blocks For a Sound VVA Chapter Make It Fun and Exciting Leadership Development Membership Development Communication and Public Relations Community Programs and Projects

4. Consider Team Make-up – Leadership & Members Identify Skills and Talents Required for a Membership Team Designate Team Leader

5. Use the Membership Development Stairway to Successful Membership Recruitment & Retention Prospecting - Recruiting - Orienting - Involving - Renewing

6. Determining Avenues for GROWTH Identify Potential Members Search the Internet for Veterans’ Web Sites Identify Other Concentrations of Veterans Use Your Chapters Non-Renewed Member List Work With Your State Council Membership Committee PROSPECTING By

7. Haven’t Found That Reliable Source of Funding Yet? Should Lack of Funding Impact Your Recruitment of Members? Not if You Discover the Internet!

8. Communication in the Information Age Design & Launch Your Own Web Site on the Internet Establish an E-mail Address for a Point of Contact Expand Distribution of Your Newsletter with Electronic Version E-mail Contact List for Posting Updates on Veteran Related Issues RECRUITING By

9. ORIENTING Get an Early Start on Making New Members Feel Welcome Explain VVA’s Vision, Mission and Current Priorities Seek Information on Their Reasons for Joining VVA

10. Create or Develop To Remind Members of the Value of Their Membership And Provide Orientation on Your Chapter & VVA’s Mission

11. Create a “New Member Packet” Contents:  Welcome Letter From the Chapter  Chapter/VVA Pin  Membership Certificate  DVD on the Chapter’s Fund Raisers, Activities and Community Service  Temporary Membership Card  Chapter Newsletter

12. As Our Generation Reaches Retirement Age It’s Our Time to Lead the Nation’s Veteran Population Develop Better Visibility with the Public Through Your Community Programs & Projects Develop Public Legislative Awareness within Your Community Become an Influence on Veterans’ Issues within Your Community INVOLVING

13. RENEWING Messages Delivered to Members During the Renewing Stage are as Important as Messages Delivered During the Recruiting Stage

14. God Bless America and Our Troops