Recruitment - Step 3 (TALK TO EVERYONE!!)
This week is a BIG one but stick with me.
This is probably one of the most important steps to remember when recruiting new members for your organization. It is "your" job, it's your organizations job to talk to everyone. You can start by having your current members identify people that they know personally that may want to get involved. Have them personally invite them to attend an organizational meeting. One of the best ways to get your organization out there that everyone knows is, word-of-mouth. It's probably the best way and least expensive way type of publicity that can be used. Let people know how the organization can offer them. What can that organization do for them that they can use now or in the long run? One thing that you need to remember is not to ramble on about yourself or the organization to the point where you are dominating the conversation, that will instantly turn off that perspective new member. Ask them about themselves, work, other organizations that may be involved in and REALLY LISTEN.
Let them know that they are important in their own special way and tell them how they can help out the organization in the future. People want to hear these things because they don't want to be used for just their time and be called only when they are needed. They want to know that they are needed and have a special skill, talent, etc.. that the organization can use effectively. Another way to get the organization noticed and word out is by using flyers and posters. If there are any members involved with the organization that may have any "artistic talents" ask them to work on designing flyers, posters, handbills, banners, etc. YOU MUST BE CREATIVE!! The publicity is only effective if the work is noticed. If you have a list of people that you are trying to recruit then a way to go about that would be by invitation, so then that person would feel special and very privileged that they were thought about and personally invited to join that organization or attend a meeting.
These are some quick ideas and suggestions to keep your organization going and help with recruiting. Recruiting is probably the hardest for an organization to do. You have to understand what target audience you are going after, how to effectively get their attention, how to reel them in, and then the most important is making them feel wanted.
But recruiting for a college club/organization is a different idea. That takes a little more research and time. Every club/organization has some type of problem recruiting new members and it's not something that can be turned around in a few days. It's something that you have to continuously look at and try to succeed in. For example, let's look at a CAB, SPB, SAB, OSA group. What are reasons for students to join that group?
Well....
1. meeting new people,
2. volunteering their time,
3. leadership development,
4. effectively plan and coordinate an event,
5. hold a leadership role,
6. education in advertising/marketing, event coordinating, etc..,
7. and having fun!
There are many reasons why someone may join a club/organization on a college campus. So how can you effectively choose a "target" audience? Well, what are you needing most? Are you needing a leader? Are you looking for someone that can run and coordinate an event on their own? Do you want someone that only wants to volunteer their time to help out with events? I don't know. You can either identify it that way or you can go at it a different way. Maybe you are wanting enthusiastic people that has good leadership and can help in planning and coordinating an event? There is so many different ways to look at this. It's all about researching and taking a good look at what your organization needs the most and how the organization can benefit. Let me say again that it's very important to talk to an individual about what that club/organization is looking for. Tell them how the organization can benefit from them. Don't forget to ask them about themselves!! - that will give you the perfect chance to get a feel of the person and what they may be looking for inside the organization.
Be on the lookout for step four when we talk about what to do next after you have successfully recruited new members and how to make them feel welcome.
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