Preparing Organization Members For Recruitment

How can we, as advisors, help our students realize that recruiting new members, who will positively contribute to the organization, requires more than offering free food at a meeting and displaying colorful posters at the beginning of each semester?

If we expect all members of an organization to participate in recruitment then we need to provide them the tools necessary to effectively recruit.   

I can not imagine any college admissions office sending staff or faculty out to recruit for the college without “training” them first.  Therefore, why do we espouse the idea that recruitment is every member’s job without preparing them first?

What exactly do our organization members need to know to be effective when recruiting new members?

Purpose:  Every member should be able to articulate the purpose or vision, as well as, the goals of the organization.  Why does this organization exist and does it meet an unmet need on campus?  Knowing this will help members convey to potential members what role they can play in the organization.

Enthusiasm: Members need to share their positive experiences in the organization with potential members.  Why should I join?  What’s in it for me?  Enthusiasm is contagious.  Potential members will want to join organizations that mirror their interests and where they see themselves fitting in.

Publicize:  Each member should be knowledgeable about all the amazing accomplishments, awards, and distinctions of the organization.  People want to belong to organizations that meet their goals, will recognize their hard work and that are seen as successful in their own right on campus.  We need to encourage students to share proudly with others the triumphs of the group.

Invite:  Just as many sales meetings end with the close, a recruitment encounter should end with an invite!  Members should feel empowered to invite prospective members to a meeting, event, lunch with other members, etc.  A personal contact is more effective than any number of flyers and/or newspaper advertisements. Students join organizations because they like the students they find there.   

While many admissions offices spend a considerable amount of time developing an “elevator speech” for the college, it may be a fruitful exercise for our student organizations to do the same.

These are a few ideas to help organization members see the value of purposeful recruiting.  Recruiting new members is only step one in the any successful membership strategy.  Retaining and recognizing members should also be examined by organizations.