Today's DAR
Membership retention is a year-round endeavor and is at the heart of the membership renewal season. It is a shiny thread that needs to be woven throughout our DAR tapestry. We need to ensure that our Daughters feel valued, and the result will be the strengthening of our ties of DAR service and friendship and a stronger membership commitment.
In January, the Stop the Drop initiative asked chapters to reach out to their members who were going to be dropped for nonpayment of their membership fees. We are so appreciative of our chapters for their efforts to retain our Daughters. Even with this successful outreach initiative, approximately 6900 members were not retained and were dropped in February (after a net membership loss in 2022).
Soon chapters will be reaching out to those members who have not yet renewed their 2024 membership. In essence, we are again working on “stopping the drop”. Often not talked about are our fall resignations since they come in more gradually but they are significant. During last October and November (2022), there were close to 3,000 members who resigned their membership, which is more than the total membership of some states. This year's resignation rate to date is one of the lowest in seven years. The next few months are an important time for membership retention. This is a great opportunity for the chapter to work together to help support the chapter treasurer and leaders with a well-planned outreach.
This outreach should be done with understanding and sometimes compassion. Having the right chapter member reaching out is important. Keep in mind that there may be a variety of reasons why a member has not yet renewed her membership. They might include:
- She simply didn’t receive the original notification.
- She may have moved.
- She may have an illness or other family concern.
- She may be concerned about finances.
Often a phone call is the best way to make that personal connection. After the conversation, we hope that the members feel good about their DAR ties. If a connection isn’t by phone, keep trying all of the other forms of communication at your disposal.
Sometimes a member may question whether she should remain a member because her life circumstances make it harder for her to be active. We all need to be mindful of making sure that these members know that they are valued. As you talk to them, share ways that they can participate from home if they wish. There are many ideas and resources for such activities on the committee webpages and Daughters Online Community. By paying their dues, they are providing support for the great work being done by the chapter and society. Share with them examples of the things that the chapter has accomplished because of their support.
During these conversations, a question about becoming a Member-at-Large may come up. It is very important that the member understands the benefits and limitations to this membership. We have had members transfer to this membership status without being fully aware. The Member-at-Large webpage in the Membership Committee is a great resource.
As we are busy recruiting new members by Spreading the Sparkle, let us make sure that we are sprinkling sparkle on our current members during this membership renewal time period and throughout the year so that they know that they are all treasured Daughters and Sparkling Stars in the DAR tapestry.
