FLINT POWER SQUADRON
A Unit of United States Power Squadrons
Sail and Power Boating
FLINT, MI

About five years ago, the Flint Power Squadron in Flint, Michigan decided to try a new strategy for membership recruitment. We have always held four to five basic boating classes in the fall and spring of each year, which were fairly popular. These were held in various schools around our county. However, we were not getting the interest out of those people who were taking the course to become members in the USPS and continue their education.

We decided that on the night of the first class in each area, we would have a representative other than the instructors, speak about 5 minutes before the start of class on the USPS. We covered superficially, the history of USPS, what we currently were doing as a squadron, what courses we offered both as a class and as home study. We also emphasized the friendship and fun that membership offered. We covered our general membership meetings, rendezvous activities and district conferences.

We also tried to get our newer, younger members to help proctor these classes so they could answer not only questions about boating but offered their thoughts on what the squadron had offered them as new members. i.e.: a mentor for each new member on their first night of attendence at the general membership meetings; how much fun the last boating rendezvous was; hospitality night at the District 9 Conference; friendliness.

On review night a representative once again showed up to talk to the class about what we could offer them. We also went over the costs of joining as a member and/or a family member. We passed out a letter of explanation (mainly covering what we had talked about) with an attached application to become a member of USPS.

By giving out the applications one week before the final exam night, we found that many more people would give serious consideration to joining and would show up on exam night with their application and check in hand. We tried to have homemade cookies and brownies waiting for them. We set up a long table with our "recruiting" members first and the correcting/proctors second. While the class participants were waiting for their exams to be corrected, we would offer them cookies and talk to them about joining. It worked! Our membership increased and we also found that these new members were more enthusiasticabout becoming involved members. We were awarded the "most new members" award by District 9 at our last spring conference.

We have also tried to move some of our locations for classes to different areas, if we find that participation starts to drop off. We have changed schools, sometimes by only a few miles and find that going to a different school or district attracts more people. We have also gone to our local "skill center" and this spring we are trying the neighboring county's "vocational facitility". We are also trying a new concept - a main membership chairman who coordinates everything. Plus each area where a class is held has a sub- chairman who coordinates the membership recruiting for that class. Since we are in the middle of classes with this new system, we do not have results as yet. We have also found that the most popular classes are the basic boating classes. Therefore, this spring, out of six areas of classes we are offering the Boat Smart class at only two places. One of our Boat Smart classes has been held at our squadron building on two consecutive Saturdays to try accomodate people who are second or third shift workers and find it impossible to attend an evening class. Again, this spring we are offering that service. However we are adding a Saturday. The first Saturday will be registration only. Participants who register will be given their manual and will be asked to read the first two chapters ahead of time. This should give them a head start and will give the class as a whole more time for learning in the next two Saturdays.

We feel that most of this work and effort has paid off. Hopefully this will work for other squadrons across the country. I feel that membership is once again on the rise. All of us in USPS should be aware of the "family" issue of membersip. We are getting families with young children and can now offer a Kids Krew program at most of our membership meetings. With dedication and perserverence, we hope to be able to offer a Kids Krew at every meeting and event.

Commander Carolyn Knaggs, P
Flint Power Squadron, Flint, Michigan

Note: Thank you for sharing your success in recruiting new members.
National Membership Committee