1. League of Women Voters Texas State League Convention LWV Membership – Great in 2008!

2. Welcome “When I think of the League… I think” …(one word)

3. Agenda  Overview of Membership Recruitment Initiative  Key Findings to Date  Need to FOCUS  Practice Messaging  Fostering Skills/Best Practices  Identifying Opportunities to Maximize 2008  Q & A

4. The Challenge 30-year membership decline Can we do anything?

5. Our Research Discovered Media Scan Results LWV Well Respected, Trusted Good Name Recognition BUT …No clear understanding of the Value of Membership in LWV No consistent messaging No “Magic Beans” Not Rocket Science

6. The Goal Each local League reach NET growth of 5%

7. Key Findings Need to foster skills and develop natural ease with outreach Visibility, Marketing, Media Building relationships is the key, but this takes time and persistence Asking is critical and is often overlooked Training is essential to help build skill set and comfort

8. Key Findings Teams are Important State and Local Levels Total Board Responsibility Members - Ambassadors for LWV Coaching Really Helps  Consistent support  Check in - accountability = SUCCESS

9. Key Findings Personal Stories are Important  Sharing Messages through stories  Creation of the League Story Bank  Individual Members and Leagues using our stories

10. Key Findings Importance of Focus/Target Audience  To be EFFECTIVE with our limited volunteer resources  The MRI has helped to focus Boards around a common goal  Consistent messaging works  Need to stress unique value of the LWV

11. Focus Intentional about membership Underscore the value of membership in the LWV Share passion for League and personal stories Consistently use messages

12. Target Audience The average American is exposed to around 3,000 messages each day.

13. Target Audience Retirement-aged (50-65 years old) women who have been engaged in civic issues.

14. Target Audience Care about health care, child care, elder care and affordable housing. Have more free time Interested in recreational and intellectual activities Believe in helping others

15. Messages LWV is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. Message #1 – Value to tap: Want communities to be strong, safe and healthy Message #2 – Value to tap: Want to have an impact outside the home after retirement Message #3 – Value to tap: Want to continue to have opportunities to serve as a leader

16. Activity: Elevator Speech What do you say? Who’s my Audience? What do they care about? How can I connect with them? (personal story & unique value of LWV)

17. Best Practices Outreach Know your community Be visible Be externally oriented and inviting

18. Best Practices Build relationships with allied organizations and media

19. Membership in ALL Activities

20. Maximizing Election 2008 Activity: Identifying opportunities

21. Q&A

22. Time is NOW - Pledge

23. 2008 League Pledge Ask people to join! Follow through on the activities I’ve identified! Pursue all opportunities to build the League! For the good of the League and our Democracy … I Pledge to: Signature________________________________ Date________________