Member retention begins by paying attention to what causes low satisfaction as well as what attracts, retains, and motivates your association. Here are a few items to consider:
Identify and weed out poor leaders. The relationship with the volunteer’s leader is the most common reason people leave.
Create a positive environment. Benefits may bring members through the door, but poor conditions drive them out the back.
Enhance connections between members, leaders, and the association. Reach out to each person, meet them, and learn about them as individuals. The process builds a better bond, improves communication, and builds trust within the association.
Find the best and avoid the rest. Instead of waiting for people to volunteer, good associations are always on the lookout for high-caliber people.
Provide learning opportunities. Identify career paths and provide developmental opportunities for members in the association.
Make people feel appreciated. People like to be treated with respect and appreciation. Find creative ways to make people feel good.
Focus on individuals. You must manage retention one member at a time. Everyone has a different set of needs and expectations.
