Member Retention
Student Organization Academy
Sara Donnelly
Hall Director, Office of Residence Life
Kuhlman Hall, Room 121
donnellys4@xavier.edu
(513) 745-3125
Retention
Why is retention so
important to your
organization?
Sometimes member
retention can feel like
begging for help,
participation, and
support…
Let’s change that!
Overview
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Beyond Onboarding – inspiring the masses
The GRAPE Principle – what do you do for them?
Motivating the Middle – turning apathy to action
Retention Ideas – what works, what doesn’t?
Action Items – now what?
Takeaways
Beyond Onboarding
Transforming new and
returning members into
committed and engaged
members
Adapted from Bauer, T. N. (2010). Onboarding new employees: Maximizing Success. Alexandria, VA: SHRM Foundation.
Beyond Onboarding
Clarification –
Understand organization’s
expectations of returning
members
Connection –
Culture –
Understand organization’s
purpose, history, traditions,
values, and norms and how
they as members create and
maintain that culture
Understand and develop
positive formal and
informal relationships
Adapted from Bauer, T. N. (2010). Onboarding new employees: Maximizing Success. Alexandria, VA: SHRM Foundation.
The GRAPE Principle
Growth
Recognition
Achievement
Participation
Enjoyment
Adapted from University of Texas Leadership and Ethics Institute (2012) The GRAPE Principle.
The Thirds Of Your Org
Middle 70% - want
to support and participate in
your organization, but they
want it to do it in ways that
meet the needs of their life
and other commitments. The people to focus on!!
Bottom 30% email list serve,
not active
Adapted from T. J. Sullivan’s (2012) Motivating the Middle.
Top 10% officers, leaders,
super enthusiastic
Motivating the Middle
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Ask their opinion, but don’t ask them to take on
more responsibility
Start and end meetings and events on time
Give more choices about attendance (stop the
mandatory events)
Thank them for showing up and participating
Find out what gets your middle-third members
excited and try it. Let them lead it if they’re
interested.
Give them a meaning supporting task
Take some personal time to get to know them
Offer to help with other stressful areas such as
studying and homework
Adapted from T. J. Sullivan’s (2012) Motivating the Middle.
What has your organization
done to retain members?
What do you want to do
differently?
Where will you go from
here?
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Growth of your organization isn’t just about
recruiting new members, but focusing on
retaining existing members from year to
year
Members of an organization often need to be
inspired, especially if it is their second or
third year volunteering their time with the
group
Value and show that you value the opinions,
time, and investment made by members,
especially those with experience and those
who have returned year after year
Everyone should have a way to contribute
Motivate your middle - find the right fit for
their interests and skills – plug them into
the right opportunity to volunteer