Just wondering what the Kidabra Local Chapters are doing to increase membership. Here in Chicago, we have a small, but loyal group and would love to get more people.

Does anybody have any specific ideas? Would love to hear them.

Tim

Chapter #1 is now up to 30 members. What we have done to bring in new members, keep the members we got and get new members is basic managing meetings properly. This also applies to SAM and IBM meetings.

First, understand the three things that will destroy a magic group.

1. A Long Business meeting: If possible pospone the business meeting until next month. Have executive board members make the decisions on non essential items like scheduling, banquets, t-shirts, etc. then just have a question proposed at the business meeting. Businees Meeting GOAL is to have it last no more than 30 minutes. Keep it moving, keep it on topic, table long discusssions.

2. Dollar the membership to death. This will cause members to leave if every month they must reach in their pocket to put out money. Try to get a meeting location free. Have dues collected onece a year, and keep them less than the International dues.

3. Not get everyone involved. Make it Fun, get them involved in doing something. Make each member feel important. If people are involved, they will feel like they are more than viewing members. Somone bring the juice or water, someone bring cookies or popcorn, have coffee.


Second, understand what it takes to make a meeting Successful.

1. Make it fun. If the leader of the group does not radiate excitement, then it is his duty to pass the running of the meeting to someone excited to be there and can't wait to do something. Excitement breeds excitement. Support each other.

2. Planning is critical. Let people know way in advance what the meeting will be about. Do it on an annual basis

3. Book key KIDabra Staff members to lecture. These are the people who make KIDabra Possible, and they are good for your local.

4. As a leader have a back-up plan, just incase no-one brings any thing to perform.

5. To gain new members, maked flyers up of the years event and bring them to the other club meetings. At those meeting remind members of the KIDabra meeting date, the topic of the next event, and any guest lectures. (Be excited, and that will catch their attention)

6. Choose a date that will not conflict with other oranizations, but make it similar. For instance the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Mondays are other club meetings. Pretty much the whole month is taken with Mondays being book. Well the 4th Monday was open, now everyone already knows, every monday is a magic meeting somewhere.

7. Personally invite guest, or even make a guest card. Invite them to the meeting. Do not charge guest right away. Get them use to the meeting make them feel welcomed, and then they will make a decision to join.

I hope this information helps you to plan a better meeting.