1. Membership Matters European YWCA Regional Meeting October, 2014 Stuttgart, Germany

2. Workshop Aims To share YWCA Ireland’s experience and learning from the European Youth Forum Membership Growth Project To consider membership growth in the context of your local YWCA

3. The European Youth Forum is made up of more than 90 national youth Councils and international non governmental organisations. It brings together tens of millions of young people from all over Europe and is organised to represent their common interests.

4. The Membership Growth Project The main aim of the project is to achieve growth and diversity in the membership base and from that develop new models for membership development in youth organisations in Europe.

5. Defining membership growth? Increase in new members Expansion of an organisation demographically or geographically Effective retention of existing members Member engagement Volunteer participation

6. Antwerp, June 2013

7. Estonia, September 2013, The Observation Phase What messages do we communicate as organisation? Is membership accessible? Do we communicate effectively with our existing members? Do we manage our volunteers effectively?

8. So what did we do? Working group Focus groups Online survey In depth analysis of our website, social media pages and membership process Analysis of how we involve volunteers Test case

9. Ireland January 2014, Our Findings Focus groups and surveys 100% of focus group participants want to know more about the YWCA 53% of women surveyed online considered vital that the YWCA be involved in mentoring young women 71% of women considered it necessary that the YWCA lobby and advocate on women's issues 87% of women surveyed considered it vital or important that the YWCA provide leadership training for women

10. Getting involved Volunteering often comes before or alongside membership (member poll; how did you first get involved with the YWCA?) It’s not that easy (test case) Value for money matters

11. Volunteers (volunteer management checklist) Volunteering are not aware that they are volunteering with YWCA Ireland No formal volunteer management structure in place No formal volunteer recognition programme We have lots of volunteers. They are not members.

12. Communications Website – there are no words Newsletter, infrequent and very long Email – national does not communication directly with the local Social media – on Facebook members are not likers, no social media strategy, lack of key influencers on twitter.

13. Vilnius, June 2014 – Taking action

14. Communications Website: Consultation with Board Members and Staff Website designer employed Content writer employed Social Media: Facebook likes, January 2014 152 ‘likes’/October 2014 424 ‘likes’. Twitter account reactivated, January 2014 28 Followers/October 2014 168 followers Linkedin account established Social media masterclass Communications workshop with members and stakeholders at AGM Newsletter: Former Microsoft Word newsletter replace with E-Zine format Database: Central database of all stakeholders created using Mailchimp

15. Governance At least one third of our national board is comprised of young women under 30 Joined a human resources consultancy to assist with internal governance New General Secretary appointed Other New partnerships with other organisations have been formed including Fight for Flight, Dublin Rape Crisis, Immigrant Council of Ireland Invitations to partner from stakeholders including YGB, YWCA, Palestine

16. Membership Process Membership ‘Want To Know More’ form created Member event in May – higher percentage of young women in attendance Member section on our website The Truth About Trafficking Event attracted 60 participants (non members and young women) The development of our membership and promotional materials is ongoing

17. Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain but all the happiness and growth occurs when you are climbing it. (Andy Rooney)