Linda Hall, SPJ’s national membership coordinator. e-mailed me today with the weekly update of membership numbers at the national level. As of Dec. 17th, SPJ had 7,985 members.

That’s up slightly from the 7,971 people that were members a month ago, but it’s way down from 9,130 folks that were part of our organization a year ago.

Hall warns that historically, December and January are two of the biggest months for membership drop off. The memberships of 586 are ending this month and last year SPJ lost 570 when the calendar turned from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1.

To combat the significant decline in membership, the organization is launching a campaign to add 2010 members in the year 2010. As part of that campaign, our national office conducting a contest to see which chapter gets the most new members.

The contest will have three categories: large, small  and campus chapters. Anyone who signs up from a chapter’s geographic area will be awarded to that chapter.

New and renewing members count toward a chapter’s standing in the competition. And finally, applications and payment  must be received at headquarters by Dec. 31, 2010 in order to be counted in the contest.

The chapters who finish first in each category will win three complimentary convention registrations for 2011 (no travel or meal costs included). Second place chapters in each of the three categories will earn two complimentary registrations for the 2011 convention.

Chapters that come in third in each category will get  one complimentary convention registration for 2011.

And while you don’t have to have new members sign up at chapter events, you do need to make a concerted effort to promote the value of being part of our organization, particularly at a time when our business is under siege.

This one time when each and every SPJ member can really make a difference in our organization’s future. Take the time and bring someone new into the fold today.