The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit

Step-by-step, The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit shows how to create, manage, and sustain a dynamic membership program that will help a social change organization thrive. Written for both new and well-established social change organizations, this book is grounded in proven marketing techniques. It gives managers and executive directors the information and tools needed to understand their current members and attract new ones, and it walks organizations through the process of linking program goals with membership goals. The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit includes a wealth of illustrative examples and sample membership publications. Schedules for typical membership tasks keep organizations on track, and the easily reproducible worksheets and checklists and the companion Web site help readers design a program that can be adapted to meet the unique needs of their individual organization. The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit will help executive directors, development directors, staff and board members, and other volunteers involve the community, build program effectiveness, and diversify and strengthen their organization's funding base.

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Part One: Integrating Membership into Your Organization

Introduction: The Membership Partnership

2. The Benefits of Membership

3. Defining Membership in Your Organization

Part Two: Managing Your Membership Program

4. Building a Renewal Program

5. Inviting Member Action Through Special Appeals

6. Creating Effective Member Publications

Part Three: Expanding Your Membership Base

7. Recruiting New Members

8. Converting In-House Prospects to members

9. Inviting Membership One-on-One

10. Recruiting Members by Mail

11. Electronic and Community Networking

Part Four: Strategic Planning for Future Growth

12. Upgrading Your Members

13. Creating Your Membership Plan

14. Staying Legal

Resources

A. For More Information

B. Recommended Protocol for Managing Membership Records and Finances

C. Source Code Protocol for Members and Contributors

D. Membership Activities Report Form and Tracking Patterns

E. Copywriting Tips

Index

"If your organization has in place an individual membership program, or if you're willing to consider starting one, rush out right now and get your hands on a copy of Ellis Robinson's Nonprofit Membership Toolkit. Here, between two covers, you'll find almost everything you need to know to launch, manage, and strengthen a nonprofit membership program. The book is well-organized, easy to read, and chock full of worksheets you'll find invaluable in building your membership program."
--Mal Warwick Ellis M. M. Robinson has more than twenty-five years of experience in membership development, fundraising, and nonprofit management, serving more than five hundred local, state, and national organizations. As president of The Buttonwood Partnership, Robinson conducts workshops and intensive training seminars nationwide on cultivating, retaining, and growing membership. Her clients have included Alaska Wilderness League, Island Institute, The Land Trust Alliance, Training Resources for the Environmental Community, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Clean Wisconsin, and the Texas Bicycle Coalition. Your Hands-On Membership Toolkit

To be successful, social change organizations require support from both dedicated partners in the community and individuals who need organizations to speak and act for them. Smart organizations create a win-win situation by building membership programs that engage individuals in social change and assure long-term financial success for their organization. Successful membership programs provide individuals with valuable services, a place in a community, and advocates who work on their behalf. In return, members provide organizations with volunteers, expertise, credibility, future leadership, political clout, word-of-mouth support, financial assistance, and a team of readily available loyalists.

Step by step, The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit shows how to create, manage, and sustain a dynamic membership program that will help a social change organization thrive. Written for both new and well-established organizations, this book is grounded in proven marketing techniques. It gives managers and executive directors the information and tools needed to understand their current members and attract new ones, and it walks organizations through the process of linking program goals with membership goals. The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit includes a wealth of illustrative examples and sample membership publications. Schedules for typical membership tasks keep organizations on track, and the easily reproducible worksheets and checklists and the companion Web site help readers design a program that can be adapted to meet the unique needs of their individual organization. The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit will help executive directors, development directors, staff and board members, and other volunteers involve the community, build program effectiveness, and diversify and strengthen their organization’s funding base.

"If your organization has in place an individual membership program, or if you're willing to consider starting one, rush out right now and get your hands on a copy of Ellis Robinson's Nonprofit Membership Toolkit. Here, between two covers, you'll find almost everything you need to know to launch, manage, and strengthen a nonprofit membership program. The book is well-organized, easy to read, and chock full of worksheets you'll find invaluable in building your membership program."
--Mal Warwick