"Emotional Stake" helps membership retention

Have you ever wonder why

1. some of your Toastmasters members are leaving the club ?
2. club attendance is dropping
3. many members are critical about club activities
4. members are not responsive to calls by club administration?

These are tell tale signs that the club is not doing well. And signs like these cannot be taken lightly.

Every Club is different. And there are many reasons that lead a club to this situation. I do not intend to dwell in an effort to give any club a " full medical check up". I just like to highlight one, ie

Have you ever thought of having a "Business Session" in your regular club meeting ?

Experience tells us that, given a voice on how the club is run, members build a sense of belonging , and they stay. They feel that they are part of the family and a part of the work force that build the club.

Club administrators must try to encourage members to build an "Emotional Stake" in the club.

If you look around in the District, you will see many members who remain in Toastmasters for decades. They align themselves with the sucesses and failures of their club. They are critical about the club when there are issues they do not agree, but they cheer the club on when they feel that the club is doing the right thing. You can say they " sink " and "swim" with the club they belong.

Sense of belonging is important in membership retention. I hope club administrators will give this some thought.

Have a Business Session in your regular meeting. Make this your 2008 New Year Resolution.

That ten minutes " Business Session" may be what your club really need.

E T Lee, DTM