Page 10 - january 2022

COVER STORY

Long-Term Retention

Has your Club started counting
noses yet? The next renewal cycle is

just around the corner. Now would
be an excellent time to check in with
members and strengthen those bonds!
When is the last time you thanked your

members for being part of your Club?
Do you know if they feel valued? Have
you asked?
I love what PR Masters did soon after

they chartered. They sent a personal,
handwritten note to members thanking
them for joining the Club. In 2014, as
District Director, I sent anniversary

cards to each member during the month
over and over again. Themed meetings they originally joined. I thanked them
at least once a quarter are welcomed for being a member and wished them
changes to otherwise great meetings. continued growth. I received a lot of positive

My favorite is Talk Like a Pirate Day feedback from recipients that year.
when everyone dresses in Pirates garb Here is another tip for you—Celebrate
and talks in piratical lingo . . . and then your Club. Leanna shared a wonderful
there is Pajama Day . . . story with our TLI audience about her

Rodger Cook, talking about Shilling home Club, Marylhurst Toastmasters,
Speakers, shared, “All our meetings have and Past International Director Gary
a theme and sometimes we arrange special Schmidt. At one of our conferences a few
events around educational topics or with guest years back, Marylhurst members were

speakers. We are a high energy club, striving seated around a table during lunch with
to be the best.” Gary who was the conference keynote.
I think Member Engagement is one They were sharing what a wonderful club
of the most important aspects of any they had, reminiscing about some of their

Club’s culture. If members don’t feel they members and past meetings. When Gary
are part of the conversation and their took the stage again, he took a couple of
contributions don’t matter, they will most minutes to tell the audience about his
assuredly leave. experience talking with the members, and

10 ONE COMMUNITY