RECRUITING FOR DM Overview:

Why Recruit? Principles of Recruitment Types of Recruitment

Why Recruit? It helps your achieve your goals It creates visibility for the organization

and boosts numbers It educates people and gets them thinking

about the issues They help sharpen your skills and keep

you in touch with what people are thinking about.

It helps build a campus community

Principles of Recruitment Reach out to a broad constituency Multiple methods of recruitment are

important Have a simple message Follow up with new recruits immediately Ask everyone to do something Use other networks Have materials ready Always be recruiting – integrate it into

everything you do

Types of Recruitment Tabling Class Announcements Group presentations Phone calls Dorm storms Visibility

When and Where to Table Pick a high-foot-traffic area like a dining

hall, student union, or the quad/plaza Make sure that it’s not too crowded. You

want the table to get noticed and you want to have time to stop people to talk.

Make sure you table where you’re allowed to table; find out how to get the proper permission

Tips on Tabling Make sure the table looks attractive and professional –

make a good impression. Examples: sign up sheets, something to give out

(flyers), something for people to DO (petitions), big provocative posters to attract attention, the DM banner

Use the table as a base, not as a wall to hide behind. Tabling is a great first activity for a new volunteer. The

best way to train them is to have them learn by doing. Make your table fun and high-energy and it will attract

more people. Don’t leave the table unattended, ever. An empty

table = inactivity and disorganization

How to Set Up Class Announcements Get a list of faculty, with their office

numbers, phone numbers, and email addresses.

Get a course schedule to help you figure out which professors have the largest classes.

Prepare a short presentation to explain to professors what you want to do

How to Set Up Class Announcements, cont’d.

Prioritize classes by size, previous support, the presence of seniors, and subjects

Have a binder or folder where you keep records of which professors you’ve contacted.

Use email in addition to calling Visit during office hours

How to Make a Class Announcement (sample) Overview: who you are, what you’re doing, what

information you have to offer (15 seconds) Introduction: Describe DM, how long it’s been

on campus, and anything else important about the group (30 seconds)

Legitimize your group: Describe your group’s most recent success or what it’s best known for on campus (15 seconds)

Problem: Describe what’s happening that has caused your group to take on it’s current issue (30 seconds)

How to Make a Class Announcement, cont’d. Solution: Describe what your group is doing

about the problem (30 seconds) Involvement: What students can do to get

involved (1 minute) Other issues: anything else your group is

working on (15 seconds) Personal appeal: Why you got involved (15

seconds) Thanks: thank your audience for their time and

attention (5 seconds) TOTAL TIME = 3 MIN. 35 SECONDS

Group Presentations Similar to a class announcement, but

limited to just a specific organization on campus -- environmental group, feminist group, civil rights groups, etc.

The examples you give in your presentation to either a student organization or to a class should be relevant to the group/class

If the professor/student group allots you more time, the presentation can be lengthened when possible.

Outline of a Phone Call Know what you want to get out of the call Call the day after the initial encounter Don’t leave messages Remind the person how you got their

name Find out whether it’s a good time to talk

Outline of a Phone Call, cont’d. Listen for cues that indicate the person’s

area of interest Describe your immediate goals and lay

out a range of tasks Get a commitment Keep records of the contacts you make Establish a rating system for how skilled

the contacts are.

Elements of a Successful Dorm Storm Have a plan – dorm storms are

similar to approaching people while tabling

Sign up “stormers” and dorm coordinators

Make the dorm storm fun – offer prizes to the group with the most recruited members per floor

Principles of Visibility Know your audience Promote whatever you’re doing Know the rules A good visibility plan includes both

active and passive visibility

Types of Passive Visibility Banners Leaflets Table tents Posters Chalking Emails

Types of Active Visibility Class announcements Group presentations Tabling Media

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