2012 Webinar Series for SLA Unit Leaders

Richer Membership ExperienceMary Ellen Bates

Liz Blankson-Hemans

Welcome from the Cabinet Chairs

Housekeeping

{Want to follow along?}

This slide deck and our report of survey results are at

BatesInfo.com/extras

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The secret to a richer member experience.....

A rich member experience means engaging members.

How can we engage them?

Volunteers create value & engagement.

Volunteering creates engagement & builds leaders.

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The survey says...

Surveyed all SLA members on volunteer experiences

527 responses (55,000 words)

Slide deck of results in Idea Banks

Chapter: wiki.sla.org/display/CIBWiki/

Division: wiki.sla.org/display/DIVIDEA/

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What makes a great volunteer experience?

I can make a difference (60%)

I like the people (40%)

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Why haven't you volunteered?

No time (33%)

I'm new to SLA (15%)

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Why do you volunteer with SLA?

Like being part of SLA (70%)

Want to support SLA (60%)

Build leadership skills (50%)

Learn new skill (50%)

Enhance my resume (47%)

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How has your volunteer experience paid off?

Job / advancement (35%)

Building connections, networking (30%)

Career development, prof growth (30%)

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What could SLA learn?

Officer training, mentoring (35%)

More "small" opportunities (30%)

Lear description of job, time (25%)

Recognition, appreciation (25%)

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People volunteer because:

They like SLA and SLA members and want to support it

They want to make a difference

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What does this mean to you?

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Different mindset

Use volunteers to create value for members

What will engage our members?

What can we offer that is rewarding for volunteers?

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ID “units” of work

Line up two speakers from the conference to give webinars

Keep unit’s Facebook page, tweet stream or blog updated

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ID “units” of work

Poll / meet with local MLS students to learn what they would value

Monitor other units’ programming for co-sponsorship

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ID “units” of work

Attend a conference or webinar, report learnings in blog / newsletter / list

Organize a dine-around

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Make it easy to volunteer!

Personally ask people. On the phone.

“Click here to volunteer” everywhere

Web page, blog, listserv, emails, Facebook, newsletter, etc.

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Make it easy to volunteer!

President/chair contacts new members

Invites conversation re: their volunteer interests

Create a Volunteer Coordinator role

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Make it easy to volunteer!

Each project has a Board member liaison

Promote short-timeline jobs

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Make it easy to volunteer!

For each volunteer project, committee, group, write up:

volunteers' responsibilities

time required

expected end result

which board member is liaison

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Thank volunteers

Have prominent, meaningful recognition

Highlight results, impact

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Pitch the benefits of volunteering

"How has your volunteering benefited you?" Over 25% surveyed said

Got a job or advancement

Build my connections and network

Career development

Professional growth

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For every volunteer responsibility:

What’s the tangible goal?

Is this job (still) necessary?

Will it make a difference to our unit?

How can we make it more fun?

Is this a good job for a new member?

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Supporting new leaders

Have past leaders mentor each new leader

Check in regularly, give support, pointers to resources

Cultivate potential leaders early

Talk about benefits of leadership experience

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QUESTIONS?

Slide decks at:

Chapter & Division Idea Banks

BatesInfo.com/extras