Community Outreach as a Membership Strategy

By Terry A. Taylor
Taylor Advisors PC

Some club industry sources have recommended creation of community outreach programs for influencing local political issues. Under the right circumstances, these community outreach strategies might better serve as your club’s best membership enrollment and retention strategy. Here’s why.

The typical club member seeks significance. Your club can be the conduit for this pursuit. If the outreach program is well-organized and effective, members have reason to retain their membership. Plus, such a program enhances the club’s reputation, giving members even more reason to remain. Others within the community, seeing your club’s good works, will seek to become part of it.

What are the “right circumstances”? I think they are the following:

1. Right Need. It could be an educational need, mentoring need or just plain “service need”, but should not be a purely financial need.

2. Right Community.  Make sure that the community shares your perception of need and welcomes your assistance. In one example, a community would not accept assistance until those assisting demonstrated a personal commitment to the community. The leaders said, “We don’t want your time, unless we also have your heart.”

3. Right Membership. If you embark on a program, your membership must commit to following through with it. A half-hearted effort is worse than no effort at all.  

4. Right Champion. The key to this concept is finding a club member with a passion for community outreach and a talent for organization. Most “outreach” efforts have poor organization, have unclear assignments and have unreasonable time expectations. Such programs turn good member intentions into member frustration.

If you think that your club might be right for this type of effort, here are some tips to help you “play away from the traps.”

1. Start Small. Try a one-day effort, such as a “Community Project Day” or “Volunteer Day” and see how it goes. 

2. “Send Them Forth Two by Two.” Do not send out club members alone. Unfortunately, some in our society make false accusations for profit.

3. No Children. Do not place club members in a situation where they are alone with children. And, NEVER, EVER allow club members to chaperone an “overnight” or an out-of-town trip.

4. Notify Your Insurance Agent. Remember to call your liability insurance agent to make sure that your club and your members are covered for these activities.

Terry A. Taylor
Taylor Advisors PC
Colleyville, TX
817-835-0345
taylor4812@mailblocks.com