2010 in 2010
I am very excited about SPJ’s new membership campaign – 2010 in 2010. Launching Jan. 1, 2010, this membership drive has the potential to bring in new members, reward local chapters for their member recruiting efforts and just give us some plain ‘ol fun.
Is a goal of 2010 members in the year 2010 ambitious? As Mickey Mouse (I have a toddler) would say, “You betcha!” Is it doable? Another “You betcha!” I know of few organizations whose members are as dedicated, devoted and enthusiastic as SPJ’s. We can easily channel that enthusiasm into a membership campaign and I firmly believe we can achieve our goal.
With the journalism profession as we’ve known it for years crumbling around us, I definitely want to be part of a solid journalism organization and surround myself with other great journalists.
In the next few weeks, start making a list of the journalists you know who are not SPJ members. Now would be a great time to invite them to a program, send them a brochure or point out all the great programs SPJ has. Will they join? I’m going to say, “You betcha!”
Here are the contest guidelines:
We will have three categories: large chapter, small chapter and campus chapter.
1. You should recruit new members at every opportunity…awards, professional development programs, mixers, in the hallway, at the park, in the bathroom, etc. Just ask!
2. Anyone from your area who signs up during the year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) will automatically be awarded to your chapter. Meaning, someone doesn’t have to sign up at a chapter event for you to get credit. We are going to assume that your chapter has spread the word and people came to us because of your great work.
3. We will track the results at HQ, but provide regular updates so all can see how the contest is going.
4. Membership applications and payment (mailed or online) must be received by Dec. 31, 2010, HQ to be counted.
5. To up the ante a bit, we will count new AND renewing members. After all, it doesn’t do us much good to sign up 2,010 new members if we lose 3,000. In addition to recruiting, we need you to focus on meeting the needs of those already in your ranks, and showing them value of SPJ.
The chapters who finish in the top three in each category will win:
1st place – three complimentary convention registrations for 2011 (no travel or meal costs included). A $555 value.
2nd place – two complimentary convention registrations for 2011 (no travel or meal costs included). A $370 value.
3rd place – one complimentary convention registration for 2011 (no travel or meal costs included). A $185 value.
Tags: 2010, membership
January 26th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
While I applaud the committee for trying to increase membership, the math suggests it almost impossible. Looking to INCREASE membership by 25% is pie-in-the-sky. Worse, where would these 2010 members come from? 40 new members from each state?
And in classic SPJ form it is “top down.” Don’t give the rewards for new members to the chapters, give them to the individuals who get the most new members.
YEARS ago RTNDA had the “President’s Club” for the individual who signed up the most new members in a year. I won back in the late 80′s or so, signing up LOTS of new members. The prize? Free registration and hotel (I think) at the National convention the next year.
Don’t look to chapters for solutions. Look to people.
March 7th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Steven — While getting 2010 members over the course of one year may be ambitious, it gives us something to work toward. I think it shows we’re taking membership seriously.
I don’t disagree with your point on looking to people for solutions. I think it’s a combination of what chapters can do and what individuals can do. It should be a joint effort. Those who aren’t affiliated with chapters shouldn’t be exempt from recruiting new members. And the people who make up the chapters can roll up their sleeves and help as well. My hope is that if this membership drive — focused on the chapters — goes well, then we can launch another membership drive focused on individuals.
I appreciate your comments! Please share other ideas on how we can grow SPJ’s membership.
March 13th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Actually Holly I cannot possibly disagree with you more with regard to chapters vs. individuals.
If I were to look to one of the myriad membership problems SPJ faces (along with a shopping list of other problems) it is the decision of rewarding chapters for increased membership vs. rewarding individuals for their efforts in recruiting new members.
Sure, you could argue (unsucessfully I might add) that chapters COULD give the winning registrations to a member but you still would miss the most important point: SPJ is made up of members not of chapters. MEMBERS pay dues, MEMBERS (although increasingly less these days) make decisions about how the organization runs or fails to and MEMBERS create local organizational bodies called CHAPTERS.
SPJ doesn’t need chapters but it fails without members.
If there were no chapters but members paid dues to the national organization there would still be a national organization. No members? No organization and you are looking for work.
My best advice to you? Focus on members not on organizational entities.
SPJ didn’t recruit me 25+ years ago. A fella by the name of Ritchie Peck did.