Five Stages

• Prospecting
• Recruiting
• Orienting
• Involving
• Renewing

Recruiting

• Recruiting is a continuous process requiring a wide range of diverse tactics that maximize the association’s resources
• A new member goal provides a measure the evaluate the the success of recruitment tactics
• When using the personalized approach to inviting prospects to join, recruiter training increases consistency, effectiveness and success
• Recognition plays an important role in the success of a recruitment effort
• A prospect’s decision to join the organization, formed as a result of recruiter’s efforts, the organization’s missions and reputation and promotional material

For the Purpose of Recruiting, Choose Members Who Are:

• Willing to share with others how they have personally benefited from their membership
• Competitive and like to win awards and gain recognition
• Interested in meeting people outside their current job or environment
• Good at presenting information and following through with people

Possible Recruiting Techniques:

• Mass media (television, radio, newspapers)
• Special circulation publications
• Public speaking
• Slide show and video tapes
• Booths and exhibits
• Direct Mail
• Referrals
• Special events
• One-on-one
• Technology (800 numbers, computer bulletin boards, web sites, fax, etc.)

Suggestions for Recognizing You for Recruiting Achievements:

• Documentation of training, skills developed, experience for resume
• Letter to parents, grandparents, pastors, teachers commending the cadet
• Letter to editor of school or community newspaper with photo of cadet and information about CAP
• Opportunities to speak to other youth and adults about CAP
• Letters to colleges they may be considering
• Awards

When Creating Your Own Literature:

• Project a positive image
• Include testimonials, listing of benefits, contact information, activities of squadron or wing and an explanation of how to join
• When creating the marketing piece, keep in mind that this may be the first or only time this person has heard of CAP
• Remember the need-to-know information versus the nice-to-know information
• If possible, include a few photos, graphics and/or color to make it eye-catching but, don’t overdo it.

Pointers on Inviting People to Join CAP:

• Be motivated yourself. Sincerity wins out over technique every time
• Be clear on what you want people to do. Use written job descriptions when possible
• Be honest. Avoid minimizing what needs to be accomplished
• Share deadlines up front if they exist
• Keep in mind that it can be better to live with a vacancy for a while than to convince the wrong person to join
• Define the training, supervision and/or support the member will have
• Identify and express to the prospective member the benefits of completing tasks and training
• Be able to explain why you think they would be right for CAP and why you invited them to join
• Remember that you are never insulting someone by asking him or her to join. It is very flattering to suggest that they would do a good job and be an asset to CAP