University of Oregon’s Leadership Center breaks down the practice of effective recruitment to AIM
A =Acquaint: Get people to know each other, including past members and officers
I = Inform: Orient prospective members on your org’s mission, history, values, programs, etc.
M=Motivate: Get members actively engaged so that they feel attached and involved in the org.
(You can find the entire worksheet here: recruiting_new_members.pdf.)
How do your programs effectively and creatively recruit members in these ways? Is there anything missing or anything unnecessary in the model above?
With the tie of service, service organizations are able to abide by this model pretty easily. Members are already coming into the organization motivated to bring about change and make an impact. To get them invested in your particular organization, I believe takes time and occurs naturally as you provide them with opportunities to act on their passion of service.
~Amelia Ahnert
Circle K International
With a larger organization like Habitat for Humanity, we find ways to connect with members through smaller group activities. For instance, we do a Collegiate Challenge that motivates members to know each other on a more personal level.
~Alyssa Marie Tracy
Habitat For Humanity
Ben Dodge says, “The WE ARE Campaign definitely uses the AIM model to a T to creatively recruit members. We follow three steps. First, we get the word out through involvement fairs and word of mouth. Second, we hold informational meetings so that members understand what we do. Finally, we make meetings fun and engaging so that members have a reason to stay and get involved.”
Serena Groff responds, “STATERs main initiative is to promote recycling at the big PSU events. We aim to do this by making fellow peers aware and excited to make a difference in their community. By giving all of our proceeds to the Centre County United Way we not only help the world, but a nonprofit organization as well. By spreading the word to other students on campus, we hope to recruit and grow until, ideally, but not in actuality, each dorm becomes a zero waste facility.”
Jonathan Basso chimes in, “Students Engaging students adds a few twists on the AIM model in intuitive ways with “buddies” for each new member that help do all 3: Acquaint, Inform, and Motivate. They help the feel at home and act as an information base to go to in times of need. Also, adding extra incentive for the participation in the club activities and service. Also, a new member education day provides much basis for their time in the organization for effective service and leadership.”
Ben Dodge says, “The WE ARE Campaign definitely uses the AIM model to a T to creatively recruit members. We follow three steps. First, we get the word out through involvement fairs and word of mouth. Second, we hold informational meetings so that members understand what we do. Finally, we make meetings fun and engaging so that members have a reason to stay and get involved.”
Serena Groff responds, “STATERs main initiative is to promote recycling at the big PSU events. We aim to do this by making fellow peers aware and excited to make a difference in their community. By giving all of our proceeds to the Centre County United Way we not only help the world, but a nonprofit organization as well. By spreading the word to other students on campus, we hope to recruit and grow until, ideally, but not in actuality, each dorm becomes a zero waste facility.”
Jonathan Basso chimes in, “Students Engaging students adds a few twists on the AIM model in intuitive ways with “buddies” for each new member that help do all 3: Acquaint, Inform, and Motivate. They help the feel at home and act as an information base to go to in times of need. Also, adding extra incentive for the participation in the club activities and service. Also, a new member education day provides much basis for their time in the organization for effective service and leadership.”
All of these criteria for effective recruitment seem necessary to the recruitment process. While our organizations seem to do a good job at acquanting and informing, as a whole it seems like motivating is something we need to work on. Activities such as meet n’ greets, info sessions, and fun meetings right off the bat help us with our recruitment processes. We motivate members through ideas such as “buddies” and a member of the month reward system.
Christina, Michelle, and Rachel write:
“Acquaint” is not to be underrated. Friendship is one of the most appealing aspects of staying involved on campus. New members should also leave the first meeting/informational session with a clear picture of what is expected of members and given a period of time to decide if the constraints are feasible and the club’s values align with their own.