Successful Strategies for Improving Membership Recruitment

• Regular Meetings
o Start with 2-3 regularly scheduled meetings to establish meeting dates and times
o Publish meeting times in newsletters, local papers, etc.
o Keep meetings on the same day and time schedule
o Avoid problem months such as December, Fiesta, etc
o Post signs visible from the street and at the entrances to meeting place
o Follow an agenda to stay on task and conclude on time
o Give away donated door prizes

• Issues
o Focus on topics such as graffiti, zoning, gangs, etc. which motivate people
o Address the priorities of all areas within your neighborhood
o Be realistic and take-on issues and policies you can directly impact

• Newsletters
o Highlight upcoming events and benefits for association members
o Utilize Block captains to personally deliver newsletters door to door (a good idea is to tape them directly on residents doors)
o Sell newsletter ads to help fund newsletter and build contacts for future use

• Door - Knocking
o Use neighborhood maps and break-up into teams
o Provide the "personal touch"
o Distribute neighborhood information packets
o Campaign for membership renewals and/or dues

• Incentives
o Sell Automobile ID stickers to nonmembers or give free with membership
o Association T-Shirts
o Neighborhood Association Kits - "Why We Need You"
o Member only raffles at association and neighborhood events

• Do a Criss-Cross survey
o Available at some libraries or can be purchase for around $300
o Back-up option would be to use Bexar County Appraisal info.
o Locate businesses and companies who can be used as resources, i.e. printers who can help with newsletters, schools for meeting places, etc.
o Find out who your neighbors are and what they do. Telemarketers and car salesmen make good choices for upcoming membership drives

• Stagger association officer terms
• Phone trees and block captains for meeting reminders and other events
• Use events such as neighborhood garage sales to advertise your association