Recruitment

Recruitment is the initial processes or strategies an organization uses to get students to agree to join the organization. Some example of ways your organization might recruitment students include participating in the involvement Fair, advertising on campus, and offering interest meetings.

When planning recruitment it is important to first understand what you have to combat. At UNLV, reasons students don’t join an organization include:

  • No time!
  • Don't know about it.
  • Have to work.
  • Just don't want to.
  • No connection to campus.
  • Uninformed.
  • Other priorities.

Knowing what stops students from joining organizations can provide your organization with strategies to selling that your organization can be a good investment. If you can get students to see why your organization will enhance their college experience they are more likely to join.

Easy Things to Remember While Recruiting

  • Don't be afraid to make your organization known. Promote what you're all about.
  • Share your passion and goals.
  • Discuss why your organization should matter to them.
  • Share similar interests.
  • Invite them to join.

The Connection between Salesmanship and Recruitment

  • Present the main points, offer the details later.
  • Be excited about your cause — Why did you join?
  • Effective communication doesn't always require words.
  • "The art of salesmanship is showmanship" -

Helpful Hints to Recruitment

  • Know your organization - Have a consistent message to give to potential members (develop your elevator pitch).
  • Know what opportunities there are for your members - Who will be responsible for projects/attending meetings?
  • Know your calendar - Invite others to your meetings and events.

Retention

Once you have recruited members to your organization, it is critical to retain them. Retention is essentially keeping the good people you already have invested in your organization.

Reasons Members Leave an Organization

  • Lack of communication
  • No delegation
  • No longer fun
  • Organization is not a priority
  • Stagnant
  • Have spent a lot of time in it already
  • No longer connected
  • Not appreciated
  • Not a worthwhile experience
  • Lack of organization

How to Keep Members

  • Have fun! - No one wants to volunteer without enjoying the experience.
  • Provide incentives - What incentives are there to sticking around? (more responsibility, more recognition, etc.)
  • Delegate - Give your members something to do so they are invested in your group.
  • Create a mentoring program - This will help seasoned members stick around and recruit newer members to stay.
  • Talk to your members - Ask them what their thoughts are for the group.
  • Think outside the box! - Be creative. Stand out from other organizations.