Membership Tool Kit for Local Sections &

Divisions

ACS Membership Affairs Committee

Organizing for Success

3 R’s of Membership

Recruitment RecognitionRetention

MAC Recruitment & Retention

Our Mission:

To increase the recruitment and retention of all chemical professionals into the Society including underrepresented groups (minorities, women, technicians, undergraduates and non-traditional chemical professionals).

MAC Recruitment & Retention

Goal:

To support this mission by developing and promoting programs and initiatives that integrate new members and underrepresented groups into the Society.

Objectives & Drivers

To open a focused, ongoing dialogue with divisions, local sections, the Committee on Local Section Activities (LSAC) and the Committee on Divisional Activities (DAC) on membership recruitment, retention & recognition

To share the membership toolkit with you & our plans to promote its resources & ideas

To understand what existing strategies and mechanisms your committees have for promoting membership & to share them with other local sections & divisions within ACS

Objectives & Drivers

To identify: specific, real examples of local sections and

divisions best practices and creative membership ideas.

existing forums such as teleconferences or meetings to highlight successful membership initiatives.

other ways we can help you or resources we can provide you to achieve your membership-related goals

Membership Recruitment

ACS Membership Affairs Committee

Membership Recruitment

New members bring new ideas, increase the pool of volunteers and brings a fresh perspective.

What are the benefits of joining your Local Section or Division?

How do you highlight and sell these benefits to your group?

Do your members come to meetings and actively participate in activities?

Recruitment via Tool Kit Techniques

Message Prospects Techniques Delivery

Develop a Good Message

access info in field, continue education, network, career advancement, recognition

Identify Good Prospects

new members, former members,affiliates

Use Recruitment Techniques

use members to communicate valueof membership

Deliver the Message

personal and formal invitation,application forms and brochures

Real Membership Examples

Message Prospects Techniques Delivery

The POLY Division hosts Saturday evening "business card exchange" and program to recognize members who have been members with a division pin.

The TOXI Division has its active senior industrial members participate in outreach to industry members with a specific focus on recruitment of younger chemists.

Real Membership Examples

Message Prospects Techniques DeliveryThe WESTERN NY YCC hosts a holiday party, a welcome picnic and a potluck summer picnic to attract new members.

The DELAWARE YCC hosts bimonthly happy hours to foster networking & build its chemical community outside of regular meetings.

Real Membership Examples

Message Prospects Techniques DeliveryThe NORTHEASTERN YCC established a foreign student exchange program. Members & exchange students attend a poster session & research conference as well as a Red Sox game & Symphony performance.

The San Diego YCC held a workshop to empower foreign-born chemists/ scientists on issues related to the US immigration process and work visas.

Membership Retention

ACS Membership Affairs Committee

Membership Retention

Retaining members is not a given. In the ACS, members in their first 5 years are the most at-risk to not renew. The retention rate of 1st year members is 63%.

Why have your members left? How is your membership demographics trending?

Do you have a welcoming process or personalized approach to membership?

Do you consistently make a good first impression with new members?

Understanding why your members join & stay is key

Why ACS Members Join and Stay

Sense of Community

Value

Access to Information

Why ACS Members Join and Stay

Positive Membership Experiences

Leadership and/or volunteer opportunities

Benefits and Services Varies based on different stages in

someone’s career & personal development

Sources of Retention Examples

LSAC – Annual reports, innovative project grants, Senior Chemists group

DAC – Annual reports, innovative grant reports

YCC & WCC ChemLuminaries award winners & contestants

Toolkit Retention Ideas

Strategy Idea / Approach Personalized & timely contact Welcoming committee or person

Take turns greeting at meetings Pair existing & new members

Have a plan in place to get members involved

Know your volunteer opportunities Involvement means different things to

different people Be creative with project leadership

roles Solicit input & act quickly on member suggestions

Collect feedback at meetings Questionnaire / opinion poll

Follow up with newer members Personal Call Renewal thank you letter Lapsed-member renewal letter or

process

Membership Recognition

ACS Membership Affairs Committee

Role of Recognition

Members often generously contribute their time, effort & energy

Appropriate Recognition Should: Happen in a timely manner Be personalized and specific

Remember: Both group and individual recognition is

important To take the time to nominate your volunteers

& programs for an ACS Award

Role of Recognition

Proven Recognition Ideas

Publicly thank your volunteers & teams in newsletters, at meetings & on your website

Send personal notes of congratulations for a job well done & when members reach milestones

Purchase inexpensive items e.g. through ACS’ online store

Host gatherings to honor recipients of awards at meetings and events

Send notes to supervisor or HR

Organizing for Success

develop a plan of action with

owners & timeframes to

recruit, retain, and recognize members

develop a plan of action with

owners & timeframes to

recruit, retain, and recognize members

identify specific goals

for each objective

identify specific goals

for each objective

set objectivesset objectives

Phase 1Phase 1 Phase 2Phase 2 Phase 3Phase 3

Next Steps

Focused Dialogue:

We invite LSAC and DAC to MAC Recruitment & Retention Subcommittee Meetings

We would like to Attend your Meetings & Events as well to Promote the 3 R’s of Membership

Next Steps

We Encourage You to Promote the Membership Toolkit Within your Existing Meetings & Events: As a Topic During the Quarterly LS Chairs

Teleconference

During Division Program Chairs Luncheon

At Informal Receptions & Gatherings of Local Section & Division Members

In Newsletters & List Serve Publications

Next Steps

Strategies/ Real Examples for Promoting Membership

We would like to continue learning about your best practices from your annual & innovative project reports so that we may share the ideas with other local sections and divisions

Would like to identify members to share their personal experiences & success stories

What other ways can we help you achieve your membership-related goals?