MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT RESOURCES

A successful recruitment program is built on the satisfaction and the enthusiasm of the current membership. Naturally, if the members are having a good experience, it is easy for them to jump at the opportunity to share that with others. This doesn’t mean the chapter has to be polished, so long as there is a feeling of excitement, of progress—an attitude that “Things are headed in the right direction.” That is something the members can believe in and sell!

Here you will find a few resources to help with developing a successful recruitment program—utilizing all available resources and achieving the goals set by the chapter. You will find that the only limits you have are the ones that you have placed on yourself. Recruitment, in actuality, is much easier than we normally think. It’s taking advantage of the skills that we have learned as current members and sharing our organization with potential members. It’s about forming relationships, challenging ourselves, making friends, and building a better organization—a better AIAS!

Recruitment is not just one day or one week of events but is the culmination of the activities and perceptions of your chapter developed every day of the year. Many student organizations, however, have grown to typically rely on a one- or two-week concentrated recruitment effort at the beginning of the term. The typical student does not know of, or understand, the purpose and value of the AIAS and therefore does not seek it out. The secret to successful recruitment is building a relationship. Your objective when recruiting members should be to establish friendships. Informally, you can get to know the potential member, and he can get to know you without the artificial limitations of a structured and pressured atmosphere. Interacting with individuals on a personal basis is the most effective way to recruit. Informal methods can and must be used by all members of your chapter.

However, there are several formal or structured events that you can utilize. One great tool to use at these events is the Membership Recruitment Video. It is an excellent resource that can be used to introduce potential members to the AIAS. The video explains the structure of the AIAS and profiles many of the exciting events such as the FORUM and Grassroots conferences that the AIAS organizes. The video also covers many of the other tangible and intangible benefits of membership in the AIAS. You should use the video at formal membership recruitment and orientation events. You could also make copies and distribute it to prospective members. (The total run time is 8 minutes).

View the video.

A copy of the video can be mailed to you. Please contact the AIAS to receive the disc.

The AIAS office produces a professional publication that you can share with potential members. It provides an overview of the organization and highlights some of the most popular member benefits and services. You can distribute them at the following places:

· Freshman orientation events
· Student mailboxes (with permission)
· Studio desks
· School cafeterias and coffee stands
· Informational table in a central lobby or walk area/hallway
· School library check-out desk
· Kiosks

You can also make copies of the following documents. These membership publications provide an overview of the member benefits and services. They are in full-color but can easily be printed in black and white or color.

AIAS Membership Brochure
This is an electronic version of the full-color tri-fold brochure (PDF).

2007-2008 AIAS Member Benefits Flier
This flier profiles many of the membership benefits the AIAS provides. Distribute this flier to current and and potential members. This and other documents are available in the "Chapter Management" section of the Web site.

You can also produce your own brochures and posters. Here is some sample text.
- Chapter Brochure Text (Word)
- Chapter Poster Text (Word)