Retention Is Our Problem –

Efforts are Needed to Enhance our

Assistance, Communications, and Inclusion of ALL members

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WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE ?

STARTING POINT ISTHE STRATEGIC PLAN

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Protecting earned retirement benefits of employees, retirees, and families (including our children and their families) by:

Strengthening Chapters (give them the training, tools, and resources to do their jobs)

Finding ways to retain and grow membership (expand definition for membership, strengthen reasons for joining, and provide services)

Things to Do to Resolve Problems

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• Determine which tasks are difficult for chapter officers

• Review tasks for underlying problem components

• Make recommendations

• Look at the BIG PICTURE

UNDERSTANDINGthe Problems

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Identify those problems that have solutions that the Federation and Chapters can address by:

TrainingToolsResources

RETENTION IS A MAJOR PROBLEM

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Strategic Plan Must Address Retention By:

Improving the Assistance we provide to our membership and chapters

Improving our Communications programs

Improving the ways we Include members in our activities

Identify Assistance Problems and Solutions

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Problems Solutions

Managing meetings TrainingSecuring new officers Job descriptions,

trainingSuitable meeting location Training,

guidance Budgeting Training, tools

Income projectionFund RaisingSetting dues

Funding special projects Funding from National or Federation

Getting members to attend Communications,

chapter meetings tools, Program improvements

Identify Communication Problems and Solutions

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Problems Solutions

Production of the Newsletter Training, tools,(Supplies, mailing, printing,

information sorting, etc.ng interesting articles Training, tools

Calling Trees Tools

Bulk mailing permit Training, tools

Reimbursement for expenses Budgeting

Identify Inclusion Problems and Solutions

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Problems Solutions

Boring Meetings Tools, ResourcesDidn’t Feel Welcomed Buddy SystemParticipation Service ProjectsCommittee Questionnaire on Interest

ParticipationProvide Services Know your membershipTransportation Getting people to your

Committee meetingsSchedule small meeting Identify common interests

group

IdentifyProblems and Solutions forRetention and Recruitment

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Problems SolutionsUnderstanding responsibilities Training, tools

Understanding National Reports Tools, information

Presenting data – editing, verifying Tools

Knowing who to contact about Training, tools

(death notices, name changes, new

members, dropped members)

How to Address Problems

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Tools represent worksheets, computer programs, guide books, and other resources

Funding represents access to resources

Identifying structural problems

Budgeting represents a planned financial structure

Information represents access to resources (part of Tools)

Review Tasks for Underlying Problem Components

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Lack of resources Funding (How do I find support for things

like newsletters, membership initiatives, etc.)

Materials (What letters, post cards, flyers, and guides are available and from whom?)

Working in Teams (Am I part of a team working on legislative issues, membership, service officer activities, etc.)

Lack of Assistance Services

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How do I change my personal informationGet answers to my questionsGet brochures, address labels, technical

support, etc.)How do I find and keep support staff

(officers, greeters, callers, etc.)How do I produce publications

(Newsletters, member books, membership reports, etc.)

How do I produce good programs (Programs/speakers, entertainers, politicians, etc)

Assistance Services

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•Am I a member of a team (Secretaries, Treasurers, Service Officers, etc.)

•How are directives sent (mail, email, etc.)•What are my duties to the

Chapter/Federation/National•Who provides training and when•How are my expenses reimbursed and by

whom

Lack of a Clear Direction

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What are the goals for the Chapter/Federation/National

What role does my office playHow do I participate in the goals setting process

Where and when are goals and programs set

How do goals and programs get translated into chapter programs

How Do We Address Problems

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Chapter FundingProvide Budget guidesProvide guidance on Dues Provide funding for membership

recruitment/retentionProvide funding for outreach –

newsletters, brochures, post cards, letters, phone trees, email list, etc.

Provide funding for the development of state-wide and District PAC, legislative teams

Provide direct support for special projects

Options

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Support for Chapter communications – Federation supportPost cards to members for meeting noticesPost cards to 2nd Notice recipientsPost cards to New MembersMembership letters to Prospective MembersFlyersLegislative support information

Other ideasCalling TreeEmail Tree

Improving Chapter Programs

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Tools on website including Examples from other Chapters Newsletter on website

Develop Federation Programs - could we export these programs to schools, civic organizations, etc as outreach/recruitment?NARFE presentations on the State LegislationNARFE entertainment programs – Travel, musical,

corral, boating, sports, wines, health, and securityPublic Service presentations based on members

expertise – Environmental, PHS, Agricultural, Security, computers and USPS.

Organizational Structure

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Chapters provide an annual budget to the District VPs

Provide guideline for a small chapter budget with online support

List services the Federation can provide– bulk mailing, production, calling tree, email, etc

Guidance on dues rate, budgeting, and other functions

Training for Chapter OfficersDevelopment of support group by functions or programs (TEAMS)

Remember the BIG PICTURE

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Questions RemainWhat makes people want to join a chapter or

NARFEWho belongs to NARFEWho belongs to a chapterWho belongs to National Member groupDo we project a clear image of who we areAre our aims clear to allDo we have political cloutDo we have financial cloutDo we have a clear

communication/marketing strategy

Suggestions

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Invite all chapter members to attend the Annual ConventionPlan for a large attendance

Create Committees that do things – have responsibilitiesEmphasize Federation-NARFE PAC Activities

Creating NARFE PAC CommitteeChange the way we work with politiciansRaise $75,000 by asking each member to contribute $10 Committee would report to the Convention on NARFE PAC

ActivitiesConvention time should be devoted to national and state elections

Non-partisan reviews of candidatesSet goals for discussions by members meeting with candidates

Use questionnaires and surveys by mail or on line as appropriate to enhance member discussion/participation in decision processes

Develop a clear communication/marketing strategy