The document discusses how veteran and service organizations can use technology and social media to recruit new younger members and grow their membership. It recommends organizations create or update their website, get on Facebook to reach the growing 30+ demographic, and use other social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. Unlike other organizations whose membership has declined, the Women Marines Association has been able to maintain membership levels through the addition of social media. The document advocates providing online activities and value to members to empower and involve them.

1. Women Marines Association Growing Your Membership Using Technology Debra DrummondNational Membership Secretary

2. The Dilemma Veteran & Service organizations are having a difficult time recruiting new members Perception that younger folks won’t join…they’re just not interested in club/bar environment Where can you even find new blood? Technology gap

3. First Things First Don’t have a website? Get one set up ASAP Have a website but haven’t updated it in years? Give it a facelift & beef up the content to drive more potential members to you WomenMarines.org

8. #6 U.S. site in terms of traffic

9. #1 photo sharing site on the web

10. 13 million status updates at least1x per day

13. Without the addition of social media, ours would have declined due to member deaths

14. Found out about us from Facebook, LinkedIn & Together We Served

16. It’s a Whole New World! Social Media is changing the game Founded in 2004 by Paul Reickoff after his deployment to Iraq They are everywhere—Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, MySpace, Flickr They have 150,000 supporters & 40,000 Iraq & Afghanistan Veteran members! FREE membership…organization funded by grants & donations No local organizations…yet! Young folks want to participate and be INVOLVED, not just attend meetings “I can actually ‘do’ something to help myself…it’s empowering”

18. If you want to grow… You have to be online where potential members are! Join & become familiar with: Facebook LinkedIn Twitter MySpace Flickr YouTube

20. Educational value

21. Support

22. Personal attention

23. Empowerment

24. Listening & responding to member needs & desires