Membership director: What is post retention?

You hear people giving membership reports with renewal percentages. How are renewals calculated?

The renewal rate is calculated by dividing the count of the previous membership year by the count of the current membership year and translating it into a percentage. My goal is to try and reach a 100 percent retention rate for the department.

Post Membership Retention Award is for any post that achieves a renewal rate of at least 95 percent by the May target date. Posts must meet the minimum number of members to maintain a charter within their respective department to qualify.

Helpful ideas to get members to renew is making them and their families feel welcome and part of something special. Making sure the member is asked if they have any specialties that could be helpful in the post. Doing what it takes to make them feel welcome and useful is important.

It is also important to have a committee that completes Buddy Checks with nonactive members due to health, age and night driving for meetings. You could Be the One that a veteran in need receives help from in crisis or just may need some one to talk to.

National Commander Dan Wiley’s comment at the National Membership Workshop in Indianapolis items really resonated with me. The commander’s theme is “Better Together.” He said the American Legion Family will have more successful posts, units, squadrons and chapters if we work together as a family.  He also emphasized with that is: “We got your back. We got your six!”

One other thing Commander Wiley emphasized was the 3 C’s, Communication, Community and Camaraderie.

Communication: What methods is your post using? Use modern types, but also use what fits your post needs and cost.

Community: What is your post known for? Go out and tell everyone what the post does. Be proud of the post.

Camaraderie: Have fun with whatever you are doing in the Legion and with your fellow members, also your fellow American Legion Family! I have reached out to all the statewide membership directors of Auxiliary, SAL and Riders. If any of the above organizations have upcoming events, please reach out to me, as TAL membership director, I would like to be involved in your events, too.

Between Oct. 2-10 , the second renewal was sent out to those who have not renewed. So, if you have not renewed, please do so, either by mail it in, or go online and renew.

If you had renewed after Sept. 10, you will still get a renewal notice that was the cutoff date to not get another notice. The system does not work that fast with processing time, printing and mailing.

Any questions? The post, district or I can look up certain individuals to see if they renewed.

Joe Bares of Jordan Post 3 is the membership director for the American Legion Department of Minnesota.