Contributed by Isaac Moon | Missouri State University, MO
Membership recruitment is seemingly simple at face value, but it's not always as simple as it seems. Recruitment is not only about spreading the word about your DECA chapter but also about consistency and approachability in these methods.
If a potential new member comes across contradicting information about where your chapter meets, how to join, etc., they will likely be unsure of where to go and could not act on their interest. Similarly, if a potential new member is eager to talk about DECA at a recruitment event and is treated as if they are a bother, they will undoubtedly be left with a bad taste, and who can blame them?
Now, let's discuss how to implement these approaches and consider some ideas for attracting new members.
Tabling Events
Does your school have a student organization fair or something similar? Take part in that! This is the best time to meet students interested in getting involved. Students would not be at the fair if they did not have at least some interest in joining a club, so do your best to explain what DECA is concisely and how they could benefit from joining.
Even if your school does not have a student organization fair, you can organize one yourself and set up a table before, between or after classes. Consider creating a flyer with your chapter's information so they can take the next step in joining if desired. You could also include doughnuts and cookies; they are usually popular with hungry students. Check with your school for more information on tabling opportunities.
New Member Socials
This is a great way to meet students interested in DECA. Be sure to market this as an opportunity to meet current DECA members and learn more about the club. Consider bringing in food or playing games to create an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. This could be done on campus, in your normal meeting room, campus facility or off-campus. If off-campus, be sure to offer rides to members needing help driving themselves.
At any recruitment-focused event, ensure information about the club is ready to be shared with students. Keeping with the theme of consistency, chapters must not be discouraged by potentially low recruitment numbers and continue to market their organization to the best of their ability.
