In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

The MILLION MEMBER MILE

Taking Steps Toward the Future

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Our Vision

By 2019,

the American Legion Auxiliary’s million members will be making a difference for veterans and their families in every neighborhood.

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Membership StatsWhere we’ve been and where we are now

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013500,000

550,000

600,000

650,000

700,000

750,000

800,000

850,000

900,000

950,000 921,191 921,558

918,932

915,800 902,860

886,888 881,364

855,422 837,776

801,441 785,490

765,697

732,463

Membership Trend 2001-2013

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Survey says….

Primary reasons members don’t renew:

–No personal contact

–Unit disharmony

–Being TREATED POORLY

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Ring… Ring… Ring…

• You volunteered to call one of the members who has not renewed.

• What will be your response to her excuse for not renewing?

• Share your ONE BEST response.

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Centennial Plan

Goal 1: Attain a Million MembersGoal 2: Create an Internal Culture of Goodwill

Goal 3: Develop Leadership at All Levels

Goal 4: Strengthen Departments and Units

Goal 5: With The American Legion, Build Brand Loyalty

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Steps to Achieving a Million Members

• Engage to Retain Members

• Rejoin Former Members

• Attract New Members

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Attaining a Million Members

The Auxiliary’s future

depends on our ability to engage,

communicate and

develop positive relationships

with diverse people.

Attaining a million members is Goal 1

How can you help?

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

The UNIT’s role in Growing Membership

• Challenge #1

• List positive things you and your unit/department can do to attract and retain members by helping veteran and military families.

• Challenge #2

• List some out-of-the-box ideas to ensure harmony and openness to new and different ideas and people…

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Recruiting – Advantages of Auxiliary Membership

• 95 proud years of service to veterans and the nation's communities

• personal gratification and rewards gained in voluntary service

• complimentary subscription to the Auxiliary's national magazine

• exclusive access to a wide variety of discount services, products, and services

• temporary, emergency financial assistance

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

In this session we’ve…

• Identified excuses for non-renewal

• Practiced responses to the non-renewal excuses

• Listed suggestions to:– Engage to retain members– Rejoin former members– Attract new members– Ensure harmony and openness

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Resources

Resources available at www.ALAforVeterans.org

• National Membership Plan of Action & How To sheets• Elevator Speech• How to Reach Target Groups• Sample New Member Packet• The American Legion Family Membership Brochure• Unit Revitalization Guide• Valued Member Survey• Unit Handbook, also available through Emblem Sales• Handouts supplementing this presentation

In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

“The achievements of an organization are the results of the

combined effort of each individual”

Vince Lombardi