Post on 17-Dec-2015
2012 Webinar Series for SLA Unit Leaders
Richer Membership ExperienceMary Ellen Bates
Liz Blankson-Hemans
Welcome from the Cabinet Chairs
Housekeeping
{Want to follow along?}
This slide deck and our report of survey results are at
BatesInfo.com/extras
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A rich member experience means engaging members.
How can we engage them?
Volunteers create value & engagement.
Volunteering creates engagement & builds leaders.
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The survey says...
Surveyed all SLA members on volunteer experiences
527 responses (55,000 words)
Slide deck of results in Idea Banks
Chapter: wiki.sla.org/display/CIBWiki/
Division: wiki.sla.org/display/DIVIDEA/
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Why do you volunteer with SLA?
Like being part of SLA (70%)
Want to support SLA (60%)
Build leadership skills (50%)
Learn new skill (50%)
Enhance my resume (47%)
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How has your volunteer experience paid off?
Job / advancement (35%)
Building connections, networking (30%)
Career development, prof growth (30%)
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What could SLA learn?
Officer training, mentoring (35%)
More "small" opportunities (30%)
Lear description of job, time (25%)
Recognition, appreciation (25%)
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People volunteer because:
They like SLA and SLA members and want to support it
They want to make a difference
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Different mindset
Use volunteers to create value for members
What will engage our members?
What can we offer that is rewarding for volunteers?
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ID “units” of work
Line up two speakers from the conference to give webinars
Keep unit’s Facebook page, tweet stream or blog updated
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ID “units” of work
Poll / meet with local MLS students to learn what they would value
Monitor other units’ programming for co-sponsorship
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ID “units” of work
Attend a conference or webinar, report learnings in blog / newsletter / list
Organize a dine-around
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Make it easy to volunteer!
Personally ask people. On the phone.
“Click here to volunteer” everywhere
Web page, blog, listserv, emails, Facebook, newsletter, etc.
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Make it easy to volunteer!
President/chair contacts new members
Invites conversation re: their volunteer interests
Create a Volunteer Coordinator role
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Make it easy to volunteer!
For each volunteer project, committee, group, write up:
volunteers' responsibilities
time required
expected end result
which board member is liaison
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Pitch the benefits of volunteering
"How has your volunteering benefited you?" Over 25% surveyed said
Got a job or advancement
Build my connections and network
Career development
Professional growth
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For every volunteer responsibility:
What’s the tangible goal?
Is this job (still) necessary?
Will it make a difference to our unit?
How can we make it more fun?
Is this a good job for a new member?
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Supporting new leaders
Have past leaders mentor each new leader
Check in regularly, give support, pointers to resources
Cultivate potential leaders early
Talk about benefits of leadership experience
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