- AGM - General Information
- AGM - Nominating for Council
- Message from the Club President
- About Our Club
- Club Management
- Our Branches
- Family & Friends Association
- Introduction to the Site
- News and Upcoming Events
- Melbourne MWD 2012 Images
- UK/Europe MWL 2012
- Photos from some Recent pre-2012 Dinners
- Nomination Form
- 2011 Medal Recipient
- Introduction
- Melbourne
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Links to Official Sites
- Links to Personal Pages
-
Gallery and Sound Bites
- Obituaries and Member Tributes
- Shelagh Robinson
- Alf Howard
- Dr Phil Law
- Classified Ads and Similar
- Gallery and Sound Bites
- Macquarie Island Field huts
- Brewing beer on station
- Masons Hut in miniature
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Membership Drive
One of the major issues facing the ANARE Club is ensuring successful recruitment and retention of members. There have been several initiatives in the past designed to address this including increased access to current expeditioners in their pre-departure period at the Australian Antarctic Division and the opportunity to access the ‘5 years for the price of 3’ for initial joining members. (Lapsed members are not eligible for this deal).
Earlier this year (April 2011) a project was initiated to examine whether a mail out to lapsed members was a cost effective means to increase membership numbers.
A list was generated from the Club database of all members who had lapsed in the last 10 years. (Total number 721)
105 members were selected in the mail out. Selection was not randomised. To increase likelihood of success there was a bias to lapsed members either known to myself personally or by reputation.
Results:
13 envelopes (approx 12%) were returned unopened with ‘not known at this address’ or similar on the envelope. One was subsequently successfully redirected.
Direct feedback was received from 9 members.
1 member mentioned that he would not join until partners were allowed at the National MWD.
6 members mentioned that their membership had lapsed, and they had simply forgotten /neglected to renew.
2 members mentioned they would rejoin if they wanted to attend the National MWD which as you are aware is a ‘members only’ event.
Since the letters were emailed, 13 lapsed members have rejoined.
Conclusions:
A non targeted mail out has little value.
Approx 12% of database addresses for lapsed members are incorrect.
Although numbers are not statistically significant, it appears the major factor in non renewal is simply forgetting to renew or losing touch.
Better initiatives may include:
1. More prominent display of expiry date with the Aurora journal (already initiated)
2. Automatic email reminding people membership is due to be renewed. This would also require members to keep their database details updated.
3. Offer discount rates for multiyear membership e.g. $40 one year, $105 for 3 years for example
4. Follow up lapsed members within 2-3 months of membership lapsing with letter or personal call
5. Consider splitting the membership officer role into 2 to distribute workload e.g. appoint a general council member to target lapsed memberships or delegate to state branches
6. Develop a number of member benefits
E.g. aurora journal, discounted rates /eligibility to MWDs are already in place
Other initiatives could include: discount rates for Antarctic book listings /exchange, reduced rates Antarctic themed events (e.g. tourist ships, midwinter film festival discounts), individual state benefits
7. State branches, and members to take a more active role in recruitment
These will be discussed at future council meetings.
If ANARE members have any additional suggestions, please email Margaret Whitelaw, membership officer on: members@anareclub.org.au
One of the major issues facing the ANARE Club is ensuring successful recruitment and retention of members. There have been several initiatives in the past designed to address this including increased access to current expeditioners in their pre-departure period at the Australian Antarctic Division and the opportunity to access the ‘5 years for the price of 3’ for initial joining members. (Lapsed members are not eligible for this deal).
Earlier this year (April 2011) a project was initiated to examine whether a mail out to lapsed members was a cost effective means to increase membership numbers.
A list was generated from the Club database of all members who had lapsed in the last 10 years. (Total number 721)
105 members were selected in the mail out. Selection was not randomised. To increase likelihood of success there was a bias to lapsed members either known to myself personally or by reputation.
Results:
13 envelopes (approx 12%) were returned unopened with ‘not known at this address’ or similar on the envelope. One was subsequently successfully redirected.
Direct feedback was received from 9 members.
1 member mentioned that he would not join until partners were allowed at the National MWD.
6 members mentioned that their membership had lapsed, and they had simply forgotten /neglected to renew.
2 members mentioned they would rejoin if they wanted to attend the National MWD which as you are aware is a ‘members only’ event.
Since the letters were emailed, 13 lapsed members have rejoined.
Conclusions:
A non targeted mail out has little value.
Approx 12% of database addresses for lapsed members are incorrect.
Although numbers are not statistically significant, it appears the major factor in non renewal is simply forgetting to renew or losing touch.
Better initiatives may include:
1. More prominent display of expiry date with the Aurora journal (already initiated)
2. Automatic email reminding people membership is due to be renewed. This would also require members to keep their database details updated.
3. Offer discount rates for multiyear membership e.g. $40 one year, $105 for 3 years for example
4. Follow up lapsed members within 2-3 months of membership lapsing with letter or personal call
5. Consider splitting the membership officer role into 2 to distribute workload e.g. appoint a general council member to target lapsed memberships or delegate to state branches
6. Develop a number of member benefits
E.g. aurora journal, discounted rates /eligibility to MWDs are already in place
Other initiatives could include: discount rates for Antarctic book listings /exchange, reduced rates Antarctic themed events (e.g. tourist ships, midwinter film festival discounts), individual state benefits
7. State branches, and members to take a more active role in recruitment
These will be discussed at future council meetings.
If ANARE members have any additional suggestions, please email Margaret Whitelaw, membership officer on: members@anareclub.org.au
