ITS MINNESOTA

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

Linda Preisen, Research Administration Director

Center for Transportation Studies

University of MinnesotaNovember 16, 2008

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOP

Why Important?

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOP

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

Strong, active membership is vital to chapter’s success

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOP

MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE, RATES, AND PROCESSES

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOPStructure and Rates:

Member organizations, rather than individual members

Rate structure:

• Governmental/academic/non-profit or not -for-profit $125

(NEW govmt/academic/non-profit = free first year)

• For-profit (20 or fewer employees-all office locations) $125

• For-profit (more than 20 employees) $250

• National ITS America Member $125

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOPNew Member Recruitment:

New members identified by Board of Directors and Committees

Membership Committee contacts potential members

Member benefits posted on ITS MN website

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOPRenewal Process:

Memberships renewed annually

Annual renewal process via e-mail

Personal call reminders

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOPMembership Benefits:•Outstanding events

•Networking Opportunities

•Quarterly Newsletter

•Professional Capacity Building

•Member Listing

•Speaking Opportunities

•Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities

•Volunteer Opportunities

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOP

OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOP

Balance of Public/Private Member Organizations:

Recruitment and retention

Periodic surveys

Marketing materials

Rotation of chapter officers

Diverse set of organizations represented

Membership Committee:

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOPVisibility of ITS within Minnesota Transportation Community:

Joint Luncheon Programs with WTS MN and North Central Institute of Transportation Engineers (NCITE).

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOPOutreach to Cities and Counties:

Local Government grants program to implement ITS solutions

Offered a free one year membership to MN cities and counties.

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOP

MINNESOTA FACTORS

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOP

Mn/DOT and Minnesota Guidestar Program

ITS Institute at the University of Minnesota

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTERS STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOPLessons Learned:

Membership benefits are relevant and clearly communicated

Dedicated effort required at chapter level

Best Practices: Membership Recruitment and Retention

Keep member listings visible

ITS AMERICA STATE CHAPTER: STRENGTHENING

WORKSHOP