Now is the Time to Plan Your Membership Drive

Chapters located near an Air Force installation should act now to plan your membership drives. Begin by scheduling a meeting with base leadership. During your meeting be sure to let the commander know what your chapter has done in the past in support of the Air Force and its people on that base. Ask what else the chapter might be able to do for the base. Then take the opportunity to discuss your efforts to recruit new AFA members and your plans for your on-base membership drive.

Be sure to take a copy of General Moseley's letter of support highlighting the type of support that can be provided to professional military associations when you contact the local Commander(s) for support. As you will note in the memo, Commanders may factually and impartially announce and publish information about the drive. You can find a copy of General Moseley's memo on AFA's website under Field Resources/Air Force Support at http://www.afa.org/members/pma.pdf.

You may also want to take a copy of the "Logistical Support for Private Military Associations." This document can be found in the same area as the Chief's memo on AFA's website at http://www.afa.org/members/pmafacts.pdf.

• Remember, national headquarters will supply membership applications and other materials to aid you in your efforts, but only chapters can initiate membership drive activity on bases. Briefly you should do each of the following NOW:
• Select someone from the chapter to plan the drive and to be the focal point in working with the base in setting it up. Also seek chapter members as volunteers to organize and execute the drive within each unit on the base.
• Contact the local Commander(s) for support. Where possible, involve the JAG on your council in helping you plan for how the drive CAN take place.
• During your meeting be sure to let the Commander know of your activities in the past in support of the Air Force and the people on that base. Ask what further you might be able to do. Then take the opportunity to discuss your efforts to recruit new AFA members and your plans for your on-base membership drive.
• Discuss the information in the new "Logistical Support for Professional Military Organizations". Approved activities include:
• publishing news items about AFA
• publishing the name of the Air Force member who has volunteered to be a point of contact for new members
• issuing informative memos about AFA
• issuing letters of thanks to AFA for supporting the Air Force community
• publicizing AFA events and activities
• placing promotional materials in common areas of the base
• appointing an official liaison to act as a base representative to the local AFA chapter.
• Ask that a liaison be appointed to facilitate these activities. But remember that it is the AFA chapter that must take the lead in developing worthwhile programs to publicize so that potential members will be attracted to the Association. The Air Force will not do this for us.
• Be sure the chapter membership chairperson and principal volunteers have a copy of the AFA "Chapter Membership Resource Guide" which offers detailed suggestions for how to plan and execute a membership drive. The Guidebook is located on AFA's website under Field Resources/ Library/Guidebooks and Handbooks. Guide II details information on conducting a membership drive. (http://www.afa.org/members/mrg/) Please contact Judy Galbreath (jgalbreath@afa.org or ext 4800) if you need a hard copy.
• Set your time frame for the drive. Pick a definite but limited (4-6 week) period when you will be able to devote time and energy to the process.
• Order drive materials from National in plenty of time to distribute them to prospects. Keep in mind these need an address (not a P.O. Box) and you'll need storage space to accommodate the shipment. Contact Judy Galbreath to request supplies (jgalbreath@afa.org or ext 4800).