National Membership Development Call

Notes from 8/16/11 Meeting

Attendees:Vince Coraci (MI), Mary Jean Weston (NJ), Pat Hartman (CT), Nancy Miller (ND), Allison Huppman (GA), Valerie Arendt (NC), Rebecca Davis (PA), Danielle Smith (OH), Josephine Hughes (IN), Delmar Stone (ID/OH)

  1. Listservs

There are several options that Chapters have used:

  • Members 360 (Affiniscape)  Listserv module
  • NASW-PA uses this module
  • Members 24x7 (Affiniscape)  Form generator
  • NASW-IN uses this method
  • Instead of a two-way listserv through email, consider using the Member Forum module on Affiniscape products. Many chapters have used this method, but it takes a while for the Forums to take off.

If you have any guidelines / acceptable use policies for your member forum / listservs / social media outlets, Chapters would like to see these as many are in the process of creating their own. Attached to the email with these notes are a few examples.

  1. $2000 Membership Grant
  • PA – creating a book/brochure for graduating MSWs with information on documentation, ethics, licensure, etc. – “Things you weren’t taught in school”
  • Plugging NASW benefits where possible
  • NJ – document their effort to recruit individuals with 2-year associates in human services
  • IN – Listening Tour among all Chapter regions. Offering 1 free CE (program) with a discussion about NASW. Also including a Q&A session.
  • MI – Increased newsletter distribution to nonmembers, which will include conference information/registration form and membership information/material
  • OH – Print posters re: student / general membership, distribute to universities and organizations that employ social workers.
  • ID/OR – Print information on grocery bags at 9 pharmacies, encouraging clients to call the Chapter office for a referral to a clinical social worker
  • Delmar has sent the design out to all attendees.
  • GA – Put some money toward student lobby day
  1. Building Community Among Members
  • MI – Using the new term “inreach” instead of outreach – partnering multiple regional board members and other regional leaders to work as a team on this. Encourages collaboration and allows the leaders to not feel as alone.
  • GA – regional lunch and learn sessions. However, Allison encouraged members who were not near the sessions to set up impromptu networking times, and this effort did not work. She found that members who want to meet do not want to do the work of setting up the meeting.
  • IN – Regional meetings: CE/networking over lunch has been strong for 3-4 years in two regions, but not in the others. Some of the regions have also gathered as a group and participated in service events.
  1. Next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 20thfrom 1-2pm EST

Call-in information: 1-800-582-3014, passcode: 202961368#