Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

May/June 2001

Each One Recruit One
Recruitment and Renewal Is Vital to the Association
by Leola Meyer, Membership Chair

MANY CHAPTERS HAVE BEEN BUSY with chapter recruitment and renewal activities since January 2001. I hope everyone will continue to make every effort to meet the challenge of bringing one new member into NADE over the next few months. NADE’s voice will be stronger and louder with increased membership.

Again, I want to emphasize that any chapter may obtain a membership grant of up to $50. To receive a grant for your chapter, simply contact me at (601) 853-5487 or email to LMWisteria@aol.com.

Thus far, fourteen chapters have requested membership grants. They are:

1. Georgia 2. Mississippi 3. Texas 4. Tennessee 5. New Mexico 6. California 7. New Hampshire 8. Kentucky – Frankfort 9. Missouri 10. Michigan 11. Ohio 12. North Carolina 13. Kentucky – Derby City 14. New York – Glendale

Membership recruitment and retention ideas have been requested for NADE members and through correspondence with members of the NADE Regional Membership Committee. I appreciate everyone who submitted information about his/her chapter’s membership activities. It’s not too late, so if you have not informed me of your activities, please mail or email these to me. I’d like to share these with other NADE chapters.

Here are some of the membership activities, ideas and incentives, which I received:

Welcome brunch or luncheon for new employees

Rush contests (prizes for persons who recruit the most new members and extra dues rebates if current members renew early)

Members receive discounts on any food items sold for fund-raisers

Members are allowed to attend State Conferences

Membership Scholarships are made available to both support and professional staff by simply filling out a brief questionnaire indicating their interest in the local chapter

Drawings for free memberships during National Disability Professionals Week New Disability Examiner classes – show video on NADE, provide membership information/applications and follow-up

Soup and Salad Luncheons Monthly activities – brown bag luncheons (Lunch’n’Learn)

Membership functions – include a special door prize or drawing for a free membership

Easy payment plans to join

Membership drive – donuts, milk, coffee and juice for all employees

Presentations about NADE given at new training class about all the benefits of joining NADE

Promoting State, Regional and National Conferences

Local chapter pays half of the membership fee for new members

Contest among current members to recruit the most new members

NADE membership increased from 1939 members in March to 2002 members in April. The chapters are off to a good start with their annual membership drives. Keep up the good work!!

The future of our organization hinges upon increases in membership. NADE ‘S STRENGTH IS OUR MEMBERSHIP. Our presence will be stronger, our voice louder and our effectiveness enhanced with increased active membership.