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Recruitment
Our institution is growing throughout the country, but that doesn't mean we can rest on our laurels. Recruitment should be one of the top priorities for every lodge throughout our institution.
While many members of the public are coming forward asking to join our institution, the onus is still on us as members to encourage our friends, family, colleagues and the public to join our ranks.
The key to a strong, vibrant lodge is activity. Ensuring your lodge meets regularly is vital to the overall health of the lodge but also consider more social activities and events where members and their families can come together to socialise outside the confines of 'lodge business'.
Events like BBQ's, family fun days, table quizzes, breakfast or coffee mornings, history talks, workshops, classes, music tuition, etc. are all great ways to engage members of the public and get them into our halls.
But once we get people in to our halls the most important thing is that they feel welcomed.
Some lodges have recorded incredible growth on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic, and they have put this down to their engagement and volunteer efforts during lockdown. The circulation of care packages, PPE and general support to vulnerable members of our communities brought with it a tidal wave of good news stories and PR at a time where everyone was desperate for good news.
The lessons we can take from this is that community engagement should be at the heart of our institutions efforts to recruit. While the need for care packages and PPE are no longer in such demand, members of the community can still benefit from support from our lodges and members.
Activities like clean ups, fun days, charity / fundraisers, etc. can provide opportunities for that engagement while also bringing positive PR stories, (so long as we strive to have local press / media cover the stories).
Building a positive image within our communities can make it much easier to engage potential members.
Above all, the key component to any recruitment strategy is to simply ask!
If you have a potential new member in your hall or at one of your events, ask them.
You can do this by simply asking "have you ever considered joining an orange lodge?".
Many members who have joined our institution, when asked why they never joined earlier, the number 1 answer is "I was never asked."
So consider how many family members, friends, members of the community, bandsmen, colleagues or team mates you have spoken to over the years who may be open to joining but haven't done so because they simply haven't been asked.
The worst that can happen is they say no. In which case, you have still planted a seed.
Recruitment Top Tips
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Active lodge
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Frequent activities
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Family friendly events and atmosphere
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Open to the community
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Positive PR and engagement with local media and social media
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Community Engagement
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Welcoming environment
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ASK!
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Retention
Sometimes our focus can be on recruitment of new members whilst forgetting to engage those we already have which is equally important.
Communication is one of the most important aspects of ensuring a strong and vibrant lodge. Apps like WhatsApp (when controlled properly) can be excellent tools for lodges to keep in touch with members and help secretaries circulate information like reminders of monthly meetings.
Another important aspect is to ensure a welcoming atmosphere for all brethren, but particularly new brethren. Encourage them to engage in discussions or ask for their input or opinions on certain topics.
Where appropriate, allow them the opportunity to take responsibility. Tasks like carrying a banner, a sword, shadowing a lodge officer or learning some of the officer roles. Ensure they feel fully involved in and part of the lodge.
If a member hasn't been seen at any meetings or events in a while, it's important that the lodge reach out to them to see if there is a problem or even just to offer friendship and support. Maintaining those relationships are key to retaining new members.
If a member has fallen behind in their dues, it's important to reach out and see if there is a reason for this? Have they fallen on hard times or has it simply been a case of life getting in the way and they've been unable to attend any meetings to pay their dues?
If they've fallen on hard times then try to help as best you can.
Whether that's by offering a payment plan for them to catch up on their dues or, if appropriate, signpost them to some of the relevant benevolence funds available to our members like the Lord Enniskillen Memorial Orange Society (which you can find out more about by clicking the image below).
If it's simply a case of life getting in the way, then let them know that they have been missed and that you would love to see them back.
Lodges could consider allowing members to set up standing orders or direct debits to pay their dues. This would mean members would rarely fall behind in their dues.
We are a fraternal organisation, let's be fraternal to our Brethren.
Suspending members and striking them off the roll should only ever be a last resort after all other attempts have been made.
Engaging with former members should also be considered.
For example, on the 12th July did you see any former members watching or enjoying the day?
If so, then engage with them. Ask if they would like to come back to the Lodge.
They have given up a public holiday to join in the celebrations so they clearly have a heart for the cause and the worst that can happen is they say no.
But just because a member has lapsed or fallen away, does not mean he will never come back. Where possible, always leave the door open for past members to come back.
Retention Top Tips
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Welcoming and inclusive environment and atmosphere
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Good communication
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Family friendly events and atmosphere
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Provide opportunities for responsibility
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Problem solving, i.e. paying dues via standing order, etc.
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Fraternal spirit and support
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Suspensions a last resort
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Always leaving the door open to return
Resources
Below are a number of resources that you can download to aid your recruitment efforts and to compliment your events and activities.
You can use some of them in their entirety or simply use them as inspiration to create your own literature and resources.
Recruitment Leaflet
