Top Recruitment Tips
Many of us know that membership recruitment can be a never-ending project. Growing strong clubs and increasing our ranks is essential to achieving our mission of providing women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
Soroptimist headquarters offers many resources to help your club with its recruitment efforts. To help get you started, we compiled our top recommendations to support your club’s successful recruitment strategy in 2022!
Embrace Diversity.
Having a diverse membership creates an inclusive, welcoming club environment for all. According to the National Council of Nonprofits, when an organization's membership comprises people from a range of racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds and lifestyles, we are more equipped to meet the needs of those we serve.
Create a list of all the great things about your club.
Now turn this list into an elevator pitch or a concise and impactful description. Your elevator pitch serves as an introduction, telling the listener who you are and all the great things Soroptimist membership has to offer!
Talk about Soroptimist wherever you go.
First and foremost, people must know about your
club in order to seek membership. Word of mouth is the most powerful way our existing members can drum up interest. You will be amazed at how easy it is after practicing for a while.Highlight our Dream Program impact and ways to get involved.
We know that members join Soroptimist because they are drawn to our mission. By talking passionately about your volunteer experience helping women and girls, you can show you're committed to a cause that matters. By sharing personal stories of impact, you can most effectively influence others to want to help, too.
Follow through on contacts with prospective members and past members.
As soon as your club is contacted by a prospect, whether through SIA’s Introduction Form or another source, contact them! And don’t forget about former members. People who had enough interest to join the club in the past are hot prospects for joining again. Use past-member lists to reach them. In some cases, you may have to show them that things they did not like have been changed.
Coach members on creating a welcoming and civil experience.
Retaining engaged, happy members is key to increasing membership. People stay in a club where they feel like they belong and when it adds to their life. Work with your club members to create a kind, welcoming, and safe space where members can get to know each other on a deeper level. This will foster greater camaraderie, motivation, and a commitment to the organization.
Recognize club members who recruit new members.
Recognizing the recruitment work done by your club members must be a priority for your leadership team. You may want to offer recognition such as certificates, spotlights on social media, or other incentives to members who recruit new Soroptimists!
Share member stories and testimonials on social media.
Show your community how great being a Soroptimist is! Consider sharing a member profile story on social media every week. This promotion recognizes each member and introduces them to the community, as well. Also, post on social media every time you have a club meeting or event. Share pictures and information about the event, and encourage viewers to reach out if they are interested in joining.
Host "bring a friend" events.
Referrals continue to be a top source for bringing in new members. Create opportunities or a recurring event that encourages members to bring a friend. Events such as workshops, forums, and annual meetings are fun ways for prospective members to see what Soroptimist is all about!
Take part in SIA's 100th Anniversary Member-Get-A-Member challenge!
Don't forget to use the hashtag #SIADiamondMembers to celebrate your recruitment success!
Do you have a fun or exciting recruitment strategy to share? Be sure to post it on social media using the hashtag #JoinSIA, and we'll share some of our favorites!
SI/Rosario (Philippines Region)
SI/Rosario (Philippines Region) has provided educational training to over 130 women and girls through Project BABAE. The acronym stands for Bigger Aspirations and Bolder Attempts towards Empowerment. The project targets women and girls, and provides training in many skills, including tree-planting, business, backyard gardening, and scholarships. Women who applied to the Live Your Dream Awards but were not chosen were given alternative scholarships and encouraged to pursue further education. Additionally, the club partners with the Philippine National Police Women's Desk to provide lectures about women's rights. The local media has shared about the programs, allowing the club to recruit more members!
SI/Bidwell Rancho-Chico, CA (Sierra Nevada Region)
Another club delivering a Big Goal Accelerator Project with incredible impact on the local level is SI/Bidwell Rancho-Chico, CA (Sierra Nevada Region). The club provided educational scholarships to three young women who needed financial help with their education—two came from a local foster care agency and were navigating life outside of the system and without much support. These young women both received support for their undergraduate degrees. The other recipient is currently enrolled in law school as a single mother facing financial hardship, and her goal upon graduation is to help youth in the foster care system and people escaping abusive situations. The club gave $3,000 to support the education of these very motivated women.
Both SI/ Rosario and SI/Bidwell Rancho-Chico are contributing through their local Soroptimist service to our Big Goal of investing in the dreams of half a million women and girls through access to education!
See If Your Club Project Serves as a Big Goal Accelerator Project
To see if your club project is eligible to be considered a Big Goal Accelerator Project, consult our What Counts handout.
To report your club’s Big Goal Accelerator Project to SIA, complete our online reporting form.
To familiarize yourself with the questions in advance, consult our report example.
All Big Goal Accelerator Project resources are available in all languages.
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