Motivating and Retaining

Things you can do to stimulate participation and improve involvement in your organization are:

Leader, Know Thyself

Take the time to assess your leadership characteristics and know how they impact upon your organization. Is your "style" hindering your group? What behaviors could you change that might stimulate cooperation and commitment among group members?

Delegate Responsibility

Don’t fall into the old "it’s easier to do it myself than explain it" syndrome. Allow others within your group to experience the good feelings that go along with successfully completing a given task. Grant responsibility and the authority to make decisions. Create a system of "accountability".

Know Your Mission and Purpose

You can’t convince others that you have a worthwhile organization unless you’re aware of what the group stands for. Take the time to draw up a constitution or statement of purpose, soliciting input from all group members. If you have one, review it at your next meeting so that all members are aware of your goals as an organization. Group programs should be consistent with your stated mission and purpose.

Orientation New Members

Take the time to help new members become a part of the group. Meet with them over lunch or coffee and talk about your organization with them. Find out why they were attracted and if they have any special skills or talents you should be aware of. Orientation is not simply "telling" about your organization, but acting in a manner that allows new members to become involved and stay a part of your group.

Match the Person to the Job

Take advantage of the special skills and talents of your group members. Not only does this benefit your organization, but it gives individual group members an opportunity to "shine".

Involve Everyone

People have a tendency to support what they help create. The more input your group members have into decisions, the more likely they are to participate in implementing them.

Recognize a Job well done

Nothing works quite as well as a "pat on the back" for a job well done. Please take a moment to reward good effort on the part of your group members and recognize the work they put into the tasks you give them. It will go a long way toward insuring their future cooperation.

Allow for Personal Growth and Development

Encourage and make room for those individuals who might be aspiring to your leadership position. Take the time to let them know that rather than feeling threatened by their interest, it is nice to know that someone is interested in assuming a responsible position within the organization. After all, you will be graduating some day!

Make it Fun to Belong to your Organization

While belonging to any organization requires that group members assume certain responsibilities, the experience of being a member of your organization should, above all, be a pleasurable one. In addition to tuning in to your members needs, be sure to include group social activities at least once a semester so that everyone has an opportunity to mingle, relax, and enjoy each others company.

Use Meeting Times Effectively

Start on time and end on time. Always come to your meetings prepared. Know what you need to discuss and what needs to be accomplished. Be sure to print an agenda for distribution. Your meetings will be organized if your are!