Cal Turner Fellowship Presentation: Analysis of Organizational Membership

Immigration in Tennessee

Significant population that continues to grow and develop. Despite diverse backgrounds and cultures, face common challenges associated with

immigration

Census shows Tennessee as home to >310,000 immigrants

6th fastest rate of immigrant growth of any state (169%)

34.6% of immigrants in the state are naturalized U.S. Citizens

*Source: Immigration Policy Center: New Americans in Tennessee http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/docs/new_americans_in_tennessee_2013_3.pdf

TIRRC- History and Overview

Primary Tools in Action: Advocacy, Civic Engagement, and Communication Networks

• Founded in 2001

• Seeks deeper engagement and support for the immigrant community in Tennessee's civic, social, and political affairs 

• Focuses on community organizing and leadership development 

• Leads and collaborates with other local nonprofits to provide key services directly to immigrants, including support in navigating the path to citizenship

• Educates the public about policies that would better promote integration of new immigrants and facilitate their full participation in US society

Mission: To empower immigrants and refugees throughout Tennessee to develop a unified voice, defend their rights, and create an atmosphere in which they are recognized as positive contributors to the state.

Serve multiple areas of community need

Advocacy & Civil

Engagement

Position leaders and advocate for policies that make it easier for

everyone to participate in public life

Citizenship and Legal Services

‘Become a Citizen now’ program assists

permanent residents with naturalization, assists with voter registration and supports civic participation

Community and Leadership

Development

Bring together diverse communities to unite

common interests, develop as community

leaders and unite as one voice

Welcoming Tennessee

InitiativePromote diversity and understanding of how

Tennesseans share values, contribute to

the economy and how our combined cultures

can strengthen communities

Members must personally perceive a need, believe the organization can address it with their

help and be presented with a convenient opportunity to join.

Recent Accomplishments

Led a successful campaign to defeat an anti-food truck ordinance in the Nashville

Metro Council

Helped defeat the English-Only Referendum

In 2010, connected immigrant and refugee

families with critical resources after the flood

Founded Welcoming Tennessee

Led the campaign to end the 287g program in

Davidson Count

Launched the Become a Citizen Now program

offering free citizenship application assistance

Utilize the community, team and members to enact significant change in a dynamic field

The bridge between people and policy

Yesterday, President Obama initiated an executive order for immigration policy reform

1. Undocumented immigrants who have been in the country at least five years and have a child who is a US citizen or legal permanent resident (~3.7million)

2. Those who were brought to the US by their parents as children and are now here illegally (~300,000+)

*Source:Washington Post: www.washingtonpost.com “Here’s exactly what Obama’s going to do about immigration-and how to qualify”

TIRRC’s role:To analyze, translate and communicate this message and its impact to the immigrant and refugee community and prepare them for its implications

Cal Turner Team: Organizational Member Strategy

Current TIRRC Membership

Analysis

• Review current membership promotions and materials

• Identify and survey current members

• Catalogue/analyze survey results and identify trends

Industry Benchmarking

• Create list of comparable organizations

• Identify membership structures and materials

• Competitor interviews/ benchmarking

TIRRC Organizational Membership Strategy

Objective: To analyze and understand the organizational membership structure of TIRRC and the overall industry in order to provide recommendations that drive increased future membership and engagement

Market SizingAnd Updating

• Update list of local organizations with current information

• Identify potential sources of additional membership

• Early Nashville focus expanding to whole of Tennessee

Organizational Membership*

*Source:Washington Post: www.washingtonpost.com “Here’s exactly what Obama’s going to do about immigration-and how to qualify”

Membership that exists between two entities, typically of similar associations.

Similar to individual membership structures

Community

Stability

Volunteers

Grow leaders

Reach and Relevance

Ownership into group

Critical Mass

Factors that impact membership decisions*

• Does this issue affect me?• Do I understand and share the organization’s objectives?• Will I be heard?

Common Ground

• Have I heard of this organization before?• Do I believe they will accomplish what they say?• Do I believe in the leaders running the organization?

Credibility

• Is there a reason for me to join now? • Is joining convenient? • Is the process understandable?

Opportunity

*Source: Derived from decision ladder found in “Revitalizing your membership program” Ellis M.M. Robinson

Members must personally perceive a need, believe the organization can address it with their

help and be presented with a convenient opportunity to join.

Current Organizational Members & Strategy

29 Organizational MembersLocated throughout Tennessee and surrounding areaServing rural and urban communitiesRegional branches of national organizationsIndependent local organizations

“We are Stronger Together” Campaign

Communication• Email distribution• Event promotion• Word of Mouth

Emphasis• TIRRC sponsored training• Priority registration• Access to TIRRC events and programs

Current Analysis: Member Interviews

Current TIRRC Membership

Analysis

• Review current membership promotions and materials

• Identify and survey current members

• Catalogue/analyze survey results and identify trends

Through phone interviews, email exchanges and online surveys, information gathered helps us

better assess TIRRC’s member needs and preferences

1) Research TIRRC benefits and programs

2) Learn about best practices of organizational membership; benefits and challenges

3) Identify TIRRC current membership strategy

4) Introduce project to members5) Survey members and collect

results6) Consolidate and make

recommendations for further promotion

Current Members- Motivation for engagement

• “We truly value TIRRC's work to help ensure basic rights for immigrant and refugee families.”

• “We joined because we respect the work of TIRRC, whose mission aligns very closely to [our own].”

• “We all care deeply about basic human rights and social justice, a common thread in all work of both of our organizations.”

• “We serve many of the same families" as TIRRC.”• “I have grown to respect TIRRC more as I learn more about their work.”• “I think anyone who cares about all Tennesseans, and especially those who

care about human rights and justice for all, should join TIRRC and would if they knew more about it.”

• "We all care deeply about basic human rights and social justice, a common thread in all work of both of our organizations."

Engagement with TIRRC largely initiated as a result of similar interests and networks

Current members- Challenges and needs

• “Our biggest challenge is lack of awareness within mainstream Nashville...”

• “[Our organization needs] continued support in building collaboration”

• “Help us be aware of what is already being done in Nashville, and potential for collaboration.”

• “I think our organization, like most working with immigrants and refugees, are operating in silos. I think any opportunity to reach out and learn about opportunities for collaboration and ensure we are meeting the needs of our clients [would be of help].”

Desire for increased community and collaboration across all members interviewed

Factors that impact membership decisions*

Common Ground

Credibility

Opportunity

*Source: Derived from decision ladder found in “Revitalizing your membership program” Ellis M.M. Robinson

Members must personally perceive a need, believe the organization can address it with their

help and be presented with a convenient opportunity to join.

Current Members: Common Ground

Common Ground

Credibility

Opportunity

*Source: Derived from decision ladder found in “Revitalizing your membership program” Ellis M.M. Robinson

Current membership driven by shared interest, passion and missionStrong desire for increased community and collaboration

"We all care deeply about basic human rights and social justice, a

common thread in all work of both of our

organizations."

Area for Development:Strengthen collaboration and

networking between members

Greatest Strength:Strong sense of shared purpose

“I think our organization, like most working with

immigrants and refugees, are operating in

silos.

Current Members: Credibility

Common Ground

Credibility

Opportunity

*Source: Derived from decision ladder found in “Revitalizing your membership program” Ellis M.M. Robinson

Members demonstrate universal respect for TIRRC while indicating that many others may not be aware of their influence and mission

“I think anyone who cares about all Tennesseans, and especially those who care about human rights and justice for all, should join TIRRC and would if they knew more about it.”

Area for Development:Building wider brand

recognition

“We joined because we respect the work of TIRRC, whose mission aligns very closely to [our own].”

Greatest Strength:Deep respect for organization and its work among members

Current Members: Opportunity

Common Ground

Credibility

Opportunity

*Source: Derived from decision ladder found in “Revitalizing your membership program” Ellis M.M. Robinson

Members must personally perceive a need, believe the organization can address it with their

help and be presented with a convenient opportunity to join.

Area for Development:Building awareness of

membership availability

“We are excited about the cultural trainings and other workshops offered by TIRRC”

Greatest Strength:Members interested in events

and offerings

“We did not know TIRRC was a membership organization until we were asked to join!”

Current Members- Summary of factors

Common Ground

Credibility

Opportunity

*Source: Derived from decision ladder found in “Revitalizing your membership program” Ellis M.M. Robinson

Greatest area for development identified so far is increased awareness and promotion of current organizational membership opportunities

Looking forward

Continue to Collect Current member

information

Consolidate results and compare to current material

Industry Benchmarking against similar organizations

Identify opportunities for additional reach

Finalize Recommendations and Membership

Strategy

Integration of all of these factors will generate recommendations for how to best find, reach and serve

current and future organizational members

QUESTIONS?