MEETING THE CHALLENGE
President's Message
Last June I attended a workshop on membership at the LWVUS Convention in Miami. I remember being energized by the enthusiasm and success stories of the presenters. Now that our busy election season is over, I have found the Member Outreach Toolkit on my League shelf, and I would like to share some ideas with you.
One of the first steps in growing our membership is to set a membership goal. In joining the LWVC "Meeting the Challenge" program, we set a net goal of nine new members (5% of our current membership at that time). As we go to press, we have gained thirty-nine new members while losing forty-three members for a net loss of four members. This reflects not only members listed in our latest member roster in the new Handbook but also memberships received since the Handbook went to press and oversights in the Handbook membership list. My apologies to anyone whose name was left out of the Handbook. We will be preparing the January 2003 member roster very soon for submission to LWVUS and hopefully all will be included.
Our membership director is Cynthia Hall, and she is looking for "a few good people" to join her. LWV of California has just sent out the Membership Drive packet which is filled with exciting ideas. If you are looking for a way to help our League, please consider joining the Membership committee. It is important to remember that member recruitment is not just the job of the committee. Personal practices receiving the highest score on the membership assessment index are the following statements: "I always carry membership brochures" AND "I asked at least three people to join the League in the past 12 months." Cynthia has just printed up new brochures for our League, and they are available to all - just call or pick some up at the next meeting.
According to research done for LWVUS, the most effective recruitment technique by far is personally asking someone you know to join. When talking with prospective members, ask what community issues they are deeply concerned with. The League's program is its product and we need to make sure we have a product that our potential members want. There are many issues that your League could and should address. We are limited only by man/woman power or the lack thereof. What are your priorities? We need your input and action in order to expand and improve our program. We have positions which are outdated and need review. There will be unit meetings in January, February, and March (see the calendar). Please consider how you can participate in 2003.
I want to welcome our new members and encourage you to become involved with the League on the issues that matter to you. Please resolve to help the League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula make a difference in 2003.
--Beverly G. Bean, LWVMP President
