Student Life - Leadership Resources
Recruiting New Members
It is important to remember that everything you do has a recruiting
effect. Students will make decisions to join your group based
on what they see and hear about your group. Therefore, recruiting
is a 365-day process. Be prepared to always encourage students
to join your group.
- Personal contact is more effective than 1,000 flyers and newspaper
advertisements. Students join organizations because they like
the students they find there. Nothing can replace the simple
act of getting to know someone and asking him or her to join.
- Participate in new student orientation any way you can. Contact
Student Life Office to find out about potential events or activities.
Schedule times to pass out flyers and pamphlets to students
(in addition to the Involvement Fair).
- Always take photos at meetings and events, then put together
a scrapbook or display for prospective members to see. Reserve
a display case in the College Center to show it off. Remember:
A picture is worth a thousand words!!
- Create a "theme" around recruiting. Catch students'
attention with some type of slogan and they will want to know
more.
- Have information about your group accessible at all of your
programs and events.
- Create a web page highlighting your organization. Include
photos, information about how to join, and allow people to e-mail
responses. Contact the Student Life Center about establishing
a web page.
- Don't expect a student to find the motivation to come to a
meeting across campus in a room full of people they don't know.
Offer to meet the person beforehand and walk together to the
meeting. At the meeting, personally introduce them to others
in the group.
- Two words: free food. Getting a few students together
and inviting a prospective member out for pizza can be the best
event you will ever have! Snacks at the meetings offer an added
incentive for people to return.
- When someone has expressed an interest in getting involved
to any degree, immediately get him or her involved and give
them a meaningful task to do. Create work "buddies"
by pairing up experienced members with new members so tasks
can be delegated with support.
- Co-sponsor events so that your name will get out more. Co-sponsoring
activities will not only bring prospective members, but it will
also strengthen support for your events from the community.
- Utilize nametags and/or icebreakers for all meetings where
potential and/or new members are present.
- Make your meetings fun. They'll come back for more if they
enjoyed themselves the first and second time.
|
|
