- Offer one event a year at your 'members-only' rate. If you usually have one rate for members and another for non-members, pick one signature event and offer it to anyone at the members price. This is a great demonstration of the kind of value they will get if they do decide to join, which you should be sure to mention during said event!
- Invite guests to meetings
Let prospective members see what they are getting into by inviting them to your group’s meetings. Say firs three or five meetings and after they need to choose either to join in or not.
- Create a welcome packet for event guests
Include things like the mission, vision, basic information, calendar, and contact information, as well as information about becoming a member.
- Follow up with guests
Send an email or postcard or make a phone call thanking the guest for attending and asking if they are considering membership. Sending out a post-event survey can also help you see what went well and what you can improve for next time.
- Sponsor a local event
Include your MO’s or local group’s name and logo on promotional materials, and make sure event organizers have your information for anyone who asks.
- Give a talk about your MO / local group at other organizations
Share your mission and activities with other similarly minded people (NGOs, schools, kindergartens, clubs …).
- Host activities for members and non-members alike
A group activity is an excellent way to meet new people. Something like a beach clean-up or other community service projects can attract a wide range of prospective members.
- Walk or build a float for town parades
You will put your local group in front of the whole town, and look good doing it!
- Host seasonal meet-and-greets with a fun activity
Think about a fall harvest day, a winter hot cocoa party, a spring nature walk, or a summer ice cream social to attract new members.
- Have a booth at a fair or festival
Give volunteers talking points to introduce your local group to the community.
- Have a meeting in a public location like a park or square
It draws attention and is a low-commitment way for curious potential members to check you out.
- Host a guest speaker
Guest speakers attract non-members who share your interests. Such as national or local TED or TEDx talks. Speakers spread ideas through powerful talks of 20 minutes or less. Over the last 30 years, they have brought in nearly 100,000 speakers to speak on everything from science to self-confidence. This has been so effective that on their YouTube channel alone they have already garnered over two billion views.
- Host a charitable event like a run or a walk
You’ll raise money for a good cause and introduce your local group to new people who also support the cause.
- Host a spotlight event for local businesses
Local business owners will learn about each other, and about you (they are your potential donors).
- Hold diverse events to appeal to a variety of age groups
If all your events appeal to one group of people, mix things up by hosting an event to appeal to a different one.
- Host a homemade meal (breakfast, brunch, picnic, snack)
Never underestimate the power of free food to bring people to an event. Don’t forget to take donations for the meal!
- Host a charity fun run or cycling event
It turns out that fun runs or fun country walks are one of the most popular way small local, non-profits like GG / GS to raise funds, increase member participation, and minimize coordination costs.
- Host your annual conference or general assembly in a new location
Every year, choose a new city to host its annual conference (this depends on the size of your country too). This allows them you to present GG / GS to different communities. During the event, you can promote the benefits of joining the organization.
- Consider attendance options
Are your attendance requirements onerous? Experiment to see if a more flexible policy is more attractive.
- Host low commitment meet and greets at a local group’s quarters
Invite prospects to come for a juice and snack (coffee or tea for potential adult volunteers), simply to learn about your group and meet your members.