Simple as

by Karla Greer

Recruiting can be as simple as ABC. Just Ask, Be prepared to hand out recruiting materials to riders you come in contact with and then invite them to Come have FUN with you and your Chapter. Doesn’t that sound easy? Well, actually it is . . .
Many people find the idea of recruiting uncomfortable. It brings up images of talking someone into something they don’t want to do. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Gold Wing owners. I find that they are hungry for information and excited for a chance to meet other motorcycling enthusiasts. You already have that beautiful machine in common. Right from the start you have established a common ground. You are simply sharing all the wonderful experiences you have had as a GWRRA member. Ask yourself the question…”

Why did I join GWRRA?” I would venture to say that most of you joined because of an enthusiastic GWRRA member sharing something that they liked and enjoyed about the association. It probably didn’t take much encouragement for you to try it for yourself. Remember, you have a lot to offer the non-GWRRA rider. We have a benefits package that is unparalleled in the motorcycle industry. You might mention the Wing World magazine, the Gold Book, Rescue Plus, Rider Education and of course, Chapter Life, just to name a few. Think of it as what you have to offer them, not as, “I have to try to talk them into this”.

I hear you asking, “Why should I care?”. My question to you is, “Are you glad that you are a part of GWRRA?” Would you like to know that you could be responsible for someone else enjoying the same opportunity? Chapter attendance will often go up and down. We lose members due to natural attrition, business related moves and even health reasons. We need to constantly recruit new members to avoid a sudden drop. We need to do our part to help keep our GWRRA family growing and going. The next Gold Wing rider you meet may turn out to be your best riding buddy. The association offers us all sorts of wonderful recruiting materials. The Wing World Magazine is the greatest recruiting tool we have available to us. We all have a closet or drawer full of them. Carry a couple of them in your bike and in your car. Pull it out when you are talking to that new contact. It shows them what we are all about.

You can also get GWRRA application flyers and antenna cards from the Home Office or your District Recruiting and Retention Coordinator to carry. Be sure your name and membership number are on all of these materials. You never know when a contact may join at a later date. You will then receive recognition in the GWRRA recruiting incentive program, “Find a Friend Council”. Also make sure that a contact number is on the material that you hand your perspective member, so that he or she will know how to get in touch with someone, even if it is just your District web site address.

Each one of you joined GWRRA with expectations. Obviously, your expectations are being met. You are still here, reading this article, and I, for one, am glad you are. We all help each other to meet those expectations. Long time members, especially, help new members. Membership numbers are perceived as an indicator of many things. It is a numbers game. Good attendance numbers are indicative of happy members and effective officers and therefore Happy Chapters. A positive membership program will allow us to continue all the great programs we have going on in GWRRA and maybe even start some new ones. We all have to do our part to Share the FUN of GWRRA with all the riders we come in contact with and be diligent about renewing our own memberships when it comes due.

Remember recruiting is as simple as . . .

Thank you,
Karla Greer

Bob & Karla Greer
Region A Membership Enhancement Coordinators
 

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