CPF BC & Yukon Conference 2011 - Building Your Base

Building Your Base Membership & Recruitment for CPF Chapters

Why did you joinCanadian Parents for French (CPF)?

Common motivations for joining CPF:1) You want to support French Second Language (FSL) education2) You want a particular benefit for yourself or your children3) You are invited by someone you know British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Where did you find out about CPF?

Where to findmembers:* Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meetings* Parent information sessions* Advocacy events* School functions* Socio-cultural events* CPF meetings* At school* Through friends British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Why membership is importantMEMBERSHIP SUPPORTS YOUR CHAPTER…Our members form our network. The information they provide about issues, trends, successes, andfailures is vital to our effectiveness. They give essential direction to our leaders about positions andactivities to be undertaken.Our members give us a voice. The opinions of scores at the chapter level, thousands at theprovincial/territorial level, and many thousands at the national level count for more than the opinionsof just a few. Every brief, request, or position taken by CPF leaders is only as strong as the number ofmembers they represent!Members bring new energy, new perspectives and new enthusiasm. We need new members to keepCPF alive, vital, and relevant.Our members are also our volunteers. Without them we are unable to create and promoteopportunities for young Canadians to learn and use French as a second language.CPF is funded in part by its members, and the local chapter receives 80% of the membership fee.These resources allow chapters to fund activities at the local level that would not otherwise bepossible. British Columbia & Yukon Branch

CONVINCE WITHCONVERSATION!

CONVINCE WITHCONVINCE WITH CONVERSATION: the Basics CONVERSATION! a) Approach like minded FSL supporters b) INSTEAD OF CRAFTING A SALES PITCH, TRY HAVING A CONVERSATION!

Convince with ConversationHOW TO USE THIS APPROACH1) LISTEN “Ask what they think works well about FSL education, what they want improved, and what they’d like to see happen at their child’s school…” British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Convince with ConversationHOW TO USE THIS APPROACH1) LISTEN “Share why YOU joined CPF and why “Ask whatbelieve it’s works well you still they think worthwhile… comment on how their2) SHARE about FSL education, what they ideas connect to CPFs mandate.” want improved, and what they’d like to see happen at their child’s school…” British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Convince with ConversationHOW TO USE THIS APPROACH Let them know that chapters across Canada are:1) LISTEN “Communicate to YOU joined CPF and why “Share why  teaching parents on how to help kids succeed in French them the great believe it’s worthwhile… you still  doingwork thatwork advocacy CPF comment on how their2) SHARE  building community does…”ideas connect to CPFs mandate.”  hosting great FSL events3) EXPLAIN Explain that the BC & Yukon Branch & National offices provide support BUT your CHAPTER is made up of LOCAL PARENTS, who work together to promote French second language opportunities in your community. British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Convince with ConversationHOW TO USE THIS APPROACH Let them know that chapters across Canada are:1) LISTEN  teaching parents on how to help kids succeed in French  doing advocacy work2) SHARE “If you can building community participate we’d events hosting great FSL love to have you!”3) EXPLAIN Explain that the BC & Yukon Branch & National offices provide support BUT your CHAPTER is made up of LOCAL PARENTS, who4) INVITE work together to promote French second language opportunities in your community. You might say: British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Convince with Conversation Offer a membership brochure (the CPF – BCHOW TO USE THIS APPROACH & Yukon Branch can provide these). If possible, take the form and membership fee and mail it in yourself.1) LISTEN If they decline, promote how membership supports your local chapter.2) SHARE “If you can participate we’d TRY SAYING: “If you can’t participate, but love to have you!”you can contribute the $25 membership3) EXPLAIN fee, that’s helpful, too. Our local budget comes from those fees. Membership also comes with benefits, like the ability to4) INVITE register for BC Family French Camp…” You might say: British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Convince with Conversation What this approach is good For: This isOffer a membership brochure (the who – BC a great way to connect with people CPF areHOW TO USE THIS APPROACH &are most likely to join, come these). If andcommitted to CPFs mandate. These people Yukon Branch can provide to meetings, contribute their time. possible, take the form and membership fee and mail it in yourself. What this approach is not good for: Quick1) LISTENYou won’t get mass publicityIfthe results! This approachlarge event, and not and patience. they decline, promotea takes time, practice way you might with how membership supports your local chapter. everyone you speak with will want to sign up.2) SHARE “If you can Bridging the gap: Know that these conversations are never wasted. participate, but participate we’d TRY SAYING: “If you can’t If you take the time to engage with people, they’ll havegood sensecanwhat CPF does and be well-equipped to love to get a you!”you of contribute the $25 membership3) EXPLAIN Whether or not they fee, that’s helpful,to spread the word, and spread the message. sign up, ask them too. Our local budget comes from those fees. Membership also encourage them to visit www.cpf.bc.ca to learn more. Invite them to find out about the future meetings by contacting you, someone else with benefits, like or the Branch office4) INVITE comes from your chapter, the ability to 1-800-665-1222! register for BC Family French Camp…” You might say: British Columbia & Yukon Branch

WALK THE TALK:SHOW THE VALUE OF CPF

WALK THE TALK: SHOW THE VALUE OF CPF:SHOW THE VALUE OF the Basics CPF a) Hold educational and entertaining events a) Promote members-only benefits

Show the Value of CPFa) Through Events… Host an Information Event: • Kindergarten or Late French Immersion Orientation Use your Socio Cultural Events to • Transition to Middle School/High promote CPF: School event • Branch Socio-cultural grant • Annual CPF Orientation/Social applications are open until November 21! Develop relationships with other community groups, local Francophone organizations, etc. Maybe they host events that your chapter can participate in to promote CPF or even co-host British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Show the Value of CPFa) Through Events… Host an Information Event: • Kindergarten or Late French Immersion Orientation Use your Socio Cultural events to • Transition to Middle School/High promote CPF: School event • Branch Socio-cultural grant • Annual CPF Orientation/Social applications are open until November 21! Develop relationships with other community groups, local Francophone organizations, etc. Maybe they host events that your chapter can participate in to promote CPF or even co-host. British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Show the Value of CPFb) Promote members-only benefits In addition to membership benefits listed on the website www.cpf.bc.ca, consider your chapter design it’s own! Maybe you could: * Create a scholarship that only the children of members receive. Establish clear, unbiased, structured criteria. * In addition to membership drive prizes available at the Branch level, consider extra incentives for new members who join. * Require membership for particular events or services. Remember: your event must be very appealing and cost effective British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Show the Value of CPFb) Promote members-only benefits In addition to membership benefits listed on the website www.cpf.bc.ca, consider your In addition to concrete benefits, proactively chapter design it’s own! communicate the valuable work your chapter has been doing and wouldn’t have been possible Maybe you could: without CPF. Have a CPF table or bulletin board in your schools. Take time at each meeting to take a * Create a scholarship back only share with new members receive. Establish clear, step that and the children of arrivals the great unbiased, structured criteria. work your chapter has done in the last month. * In addition to membership drive prizes available at the Branch level, consider extra incentives for new members who join. * Require membership for particular events or services. Remember: your event must be very appealing and cost effective British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Show the Value of CPFb) Promote members-only benefitsWhat this approach is good for: This is a great way to get your name outthere. It gives people concreteconcrete benefits, proactively is doing valuable work. In addition to evidence that your chapterIt also lets you combine recruitment with thingsyour chapter has communicate the valuable work you already wanted to do! Even ifno one buys a membership, yourwouldn’t have been possible been doing and chapter made a contribution to FSL educationthat wouldn’t have happened without you. or bulletin board in without CPF. Have a CPF table your schools. Take time at each meeting to take aWhat this approach is and share with newUnless you great special efforts to step back not good for: arrivals the make work your chapter has done in the last month.recruit events are usually ineffective ways to generate new memberships andencourage people to volunteer. Even people who are genuinely interested andgrateful will rarely take the initiative and contact you after an event. British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Show the Value of CPFBridging the gap: Make a group announcement at events, but also talk toWhat thisask them to sign up individually. a great way to get your name outpeople and approach is good for: This isthere. It gives people concrete evidence that your chapter is doing valuable work.It the format ofcombine recruitment consider taking these steps:If also lets you your event allows it, with things you already wanted to do! Even if• Have a friendly CPF member greet parents at contribution to if educationno one buys a membership, your chapter made athe door and askFSLthey arethat wouldn’t have happened without you. members.• Invite parents to leave their contact information for future events. Circulate aWhat this approach is not good for:later to ask for their feedback andto volunteer sign-up sheet. Contact them Unless you make special efforts torecruit events are your next CPF meeting. to generate new memberships and invite them to usually ineffective ways• Set up apeoplewith membership forms and a CPF members. At the end of theencourage table to volunteer. Even people who are genuinely interested andgrateful will rarely take the initiative for all its efforts and pointevent. table. Try to event, have a speaker thank CPF and contact you after an out the place the table in a place that parents need to pass on their way out.. British Columbia & Yukon Branch

LET YOUR NETWORK DO THE WORK

LET YOUR NETWORK YOUR MEMBERS ARE DO THE WORK YOUR CHAPTER’S BEST ASSET!

Let your network do the workMembers arerecruiters… Each member brings to your chapter a network of other potential members and useful contacts: their friends, their children’s teachers, their children’s prior teachers, the parents of their children’s friends, French tutors, PAC presidents… Ask them to bring one extra person to the next meeting. Bring one extra person yourself. Ask them if they know any well-placed contacts who can help spread the word about CPF. Contact dormant members, ask them if they can tell a friend about your next meeting.

Let your network do the work Members areWhat this approach is good for: This approach is far more reliable a way to increase recruiters…your meeting turnout and Each member brings to your chapter little written other active membership than sending out a network ofcommunication to strangers. It can get impressive results contacts: their little effort. potential members and useful with relatively friends, theirIronically, this is such a simple method that several chapters don’t bother with it. parents children’s teachers, their children’s prior teachers, the of their children’s friends, French tutors, PAC presidents…What this approach is not good for: Your network is limited by your existing Ask them to bring one extra person to the next meeting. Bringconnections. There are only so many people you can ask before you need to move on to one extra person yourself.strangers. This approach can also limit your chapter’s exposure to different demographicsand ideas. Ask them if they know any well-placed contacts who can help spread the word about CPF.Bridging the gap: Instead of asking everyone in your members to ask every one of theiracquaintances to join CPF, Contact dormant members, ask them if they can tell a friend keep this commitment small: every person simply brings onenew face to the next meeting, and asks onemeeting.contacts to spread the word. This will about your next of theirhelp prevent burnout and resentment – and potentially double you numbers.

MERCI !Thank you for your time… Contact Info: Erika Rosales, erosales@cpf.bc.ca Chapter Support & Outreach Officer CPF – BC & Yukon Branch Phone: 778-329-9115 – ext. 315 Toll free: 1-800-665-1222 – ext. 315 British Columbia & Yukon Branch

Understanding Retention:1) How did you become involved in your local chapter? 2) What keeps you committed at the chapter level and in CPF?3) What skills and experiences have you gained from your time with CPF?

CPF BC & Yukon Conference 2011 - Building Your Base

by CPF_BCYukon on Nov 10, 2011

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CPF BC & Yukon Conference 2011 - Building Your Base — Presentation Transcript