Guidelines for Retaining Membership

1. Help members meet their needs - get to know them personally.
2. Show an interest in the "total person" - not just what occurs at a meeting.
3. Try to do things together socially - attend a film, concert or other social event together, then go out together after the event or meeting.
4. During the meeting, have the committee divide into smaller groups to discuss the ideas and problems - this will give various members more of an opportunity to interact.
5. Let different members run various areas of the meeting.
6. Delegate all tasks so that each member has a reason to come to meetings and to stay on committees.
7. Encourage shy members to participate and speak up.
8. Have the entire committee decide democratically on programs and activities.
9. Provide the information a member needs to work on a given task.
10. Take time to know your committee.
11. Give your responsibilities your own personal touch.
12. Be organized (goals, objectives, job descriptions, etc.).
13. Know problem-solving techniques.
14. Remember to express appreciation to your members.
15. Be willing to "get your hands dirty" - work alongside your committee members. Don't get in the habit of delegating responsibility without assuming any yourself.