Recruitment & Ideas
It is important to remember that everything you do has a recruiting effect. Students make decisions to join your group based on what they see and hear about your group. Therefore, recruiting is a 365-day process. Be prepared to always encourage students to join your group. You are who you recruit.
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Personal Contact -Personal contact is more effective than 1,000 flyers and newspaper advertisements. Students join organizations because they like the students they find there. Nothing can replace the simple act of getting to know someone and asking them to join.
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New Student Orientation -Participate in new student orientation any way you can. Contact the SOC desk to find out about potential events or activities. Schedule times to pass out flyers and pamphlets to students.
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Snapshots -Take photos at meetings and events, then put together a scrapbook website, youtube piece, or display for prospective members to see. Reserve a display case in the Memorial Student Center to show it off. Remember: A picture is worth a thousand words.
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Themes -Create a “theme” around recruiting. Catch students’ attention with some type of slogan and they will want to know more.
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Promote -Have information about your group accessible at all of your programs and events.
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Get Wired -Create a web page highlighting your organization. Include photos, information about how to join, and allow people to e-mail responses. Email the UW-Stout webmaster at webmaser@uwstout.edu about establishing a web page.
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Get Personal -Don’t expect a student to find the motivation to come to a meeting across campus in a room full of people they don’t know. Offer to meet the person before hand and walk together to the meeting. At the meeting, personally introduce them to others in the group.
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Free Food -Inviting a prospective member out for pizza can be the best event you will ever have! Snacks at meetings offer an added incentive for people to return. University Dining has a catering menu for student organizations.
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Buddy Up -When someone has expressed an interest in getting involved to any degree, immediately get them involved and give them a meaningful task to do. Create work “buddies” by pairing up experienced members with new members so tasks can be delegated with support.
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Co-sponsor events -Co-sponsoring activities will not only bring prospective members and enhance your visibility, but will also strengthen support for your events in the community.
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Getting To Know You -Utilize nametags and/or ice breakers for all meetings where potential and /or new members are present.
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Make Meetings Fun -They’ll come back for more if they enjoyed themselves the first and second time