The Ahepan Spring 2020 - 20

MEMBERSHIP APPEAL

AHEPA's Top Priority - Membership
Given the current state of affairs in the Eastern Mediterranean,
and the unending need for community service programs,
AHEPA has taken to a reinvigorated membership recruitment
and retention drive. Since the Supreme Convention in July,
Supreme President George Horiates has been visiting chapters
and districts, having covered one half of the AHEPA domain to
this point. With the call to continue The Greatest Membership
Drive Ever, we share with our audience effective ways to recruit
new members and retain members.

Celebrate new members like you celebrate all other
members
Chapters stay strong by retaining current members. Many chapters recognize Veterans, Ahepans of the Year, members based
upon years of service, etc. Celebrate new members too. If chapter members, old and new, realize the value of their membership, they will be proud to invite others to join an attractive and
welcoming chapter.

Be persistent
Make Chapter Growth Your Top Priority
New members bring new energy to the chapter. They are significant because it means more people to serve on committees,
work on projects and events, and raise more money, and more
members to be engaged civically. So keep a list of potential
members. If it's on paper, or on your desktop, talk with your
membership committee on who will reach out to them and
when. Don't overlook obvious community members - even
bringing back brothers that are not current members or reinstatement. Sometimes they do not maintain current membership, then later find they have more time, or maybe they did not
receive proper orientation. Sometimes, people just have to be
asked to come back. Also, send out chapter billings quarterly.
Do not wait.

Talk AHEPA wherever you go
To be great recruiters, talk AHEPA, and what AHEPA represents, at work, family gatherings, neighborhood get-togethers, and parties. Most people will be happy you asked, even
if they do have to decline. It is always a good time to invite a
potential member to join AHEPA. Recruit and induct throughout the year. You never know when, or where, you will meet
your next member.

Look to young Ahepans for fresh perspectives
Target recent college graduates and young professionals. These
members are recruited by word of mouth and social media.
They usually meet once a month with a solid turnout or event
at that time. Be flexible with them. The chapter meetings and
events have to be something these members look forward to
every month for years to come.

www.ahepa.org

At times, it may take more than one or two times to get someone
you have recommended to join. Keep asking!

Know Your Chapter's Strengths
Not every chapter is right for every member. If you meet during
the day, you probably have ore retirees. Most chapters meet
during weeknights and sometimes a member or a prospective
member cannot come on that particular night. Some chapters
meet on weekends. Do not be afraid to mix it up or recommend
that brother to another chapter. Keep in mind the point is not
just growing your chapter but boosting AHEPA's capacity to
make a difference around the world.

New Member Orientation
It's a good idea, even for current members, to have an orientation session. Training topics include: constitution and bylaws,
budget, past successes of the chapter. Icebreaker/socials, a
"meet the new members" meeting, listing the names in the
chapter newsletter or minutes, and an invitation to an executive board meeting are successful methods of integrating new
brothers.

There is no finish line
Even if your chapter is at what you believe is optimum size, it
is not a reason to stop recruiting. There are reasons why people leave-job transfers, family issues, conflicts at work-the
list goes on. A stagnant membership is a lost opportunity to
spread the Hellenic ideals to others. Either your AHEPA chapter is growing or your chapter is dying. Defend Hellenism Recruit Now!

Spring 2020 · THE AHEPAN

http://www.ahepa.org

The Ahepan Spring 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Ahepan Spring 2020