Establishing and Maintaining a Membership Program

What is a membership program?

• It is a program which asks people to contribute something - money, time, their presence, their names, certain actions - to your organization, in return for which they become somehow affiliated with it for a set period of time - usually a year

Why might you want to establish a membership program?

• Broaden the knowledge and understanding of your cause and the work of your organization.

• Build community support for the organization.• To involve members more deeply in the organization.• To afford you with predictable annual income.• Membership and familiarity with the organization may motivate

people to contribute. • To develop a sense of identification with the organization among

members.• A successful membership program can help to establish credibility

with funders.• To increase your clout with policy makers.

When is a good time to establish a membership program?

• Ask yourself these questions:– When is the best time to contact potential members? – When do you have the capacity to mount a

membership drive? – When does the organization particularly need an

infusion of cash? – Are there times or events when a membership drive

would be particularly appropriate ?

Who are potential members, and how do you find them?

• Start with people you know• Target specific groups that have some connection

to the work of your organization • Consider buying or borrowing contact lists • Circulate a sign-up sheet at presentations • Go where the money is• If you haven't done it already, start building a

contact list right now

How do you establish a membership program?

• Develop a system for overseeing the membership process

• Set fees or dues• Contact people– Personal meetings– Phone solicitation– Direct mailings– E-mail– Public appeals through the media

• Record and answer responses

How do you maintain the program?

• Keep building the list• Keep the list up to date• Respond to specific offers or requests from

current members• Keep contact with the membership