Member Renewal

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Member Renewal

 

Membership renewal is important to ensure the vitality of PTA and its mission. Recruitment introduces members to PTA benefits, but renewal helps us to determine how well we meet our members' needs. A returning member who sees the value and impact of their membership in PTA can be your best asset for recruiting new members. Returning members are also more likely to take on leadership roles.

Renewing Members

Planning for membership renewals is an important part of achieving annual membership goals. It takes more effort to recruit a new member than it does to keep an existing one, but member engagement and retention is a year-long process.

Tips for Renewing Members

  • Keep track of your PTA members to find your renewal average. When do members renew? Is it after 1, 2 or 3 notices or at the end or beginning of the school year? Then, set a membership renewal goal as part of your marketing plan.
  • Reach out to PTA members at least one month before the end of the school year. Cite your successes for the year, thank members for their support. Ask them to join again for next year and provide a link to join your PTA online.
  • Survey your renewing members to determine whether your PTA is meeting their needs. Talk to members who do not renew. What are their reasons? What can your PTA do to earn them back?
  • Continue communicating all year long. Be sure that members know what the PTA is doing and when events are happening. If members feel connected they will be more likely to rejoin.
  • Make personal contact as much as possible, whether by phone or catching up at school.
  • Offer a variety of opportunities to participate in PTA. Provide programs that will support and be of value to families. Offer volunteer opportunities that vary in time commitment and skill level. If someone volunteers who is not a current member, ask them to join.
  • Consider creating an annual report showing your PTA's work over the past year using data and photos.
  • Host an annual PTA membership renewal event and celebration.

Recognize and Thank Your Members

A simple "thank you" can go a long way. Recognizing your PTA members' contributions to your unit goals is an important part of membership retention. Show them you appreciate their dedication to making every child's potential a reality in your community.

Wonderful Ways to Say “Thank You”

  • If members join online, set up the system to send them an automatic thank-you with links to key online resource and information. Include an email address for the PTA.
  • Recognize members at events by celebrating them in some way. Different colored badges, have them be acknowledged by raising their hand, etc.
  • Send thank you emails/letters and make direct calls to new and returning members, reminding them of PTA benefits and ways to stay connected and engaged throughout the year. One option: Have students write thank you notes and attach them to membership cards.
  • Host 'meet & greet' opportunities for your members to get to know each other at the beginning of each school year and each January. Provide a fun ice breaker along with light refreshments and a simple 'thank you' message from your PTA. You can do this virtually as well and ask everyone to turn on their cameras so everyone can see each other.
  • Recognize members for returning: two years, five years, etc. This could be as simple as sending a thank you letter acknowledging renewal and being a loyal member since X year. Or sending a "Welcome Back" card to two-year members, recognizing them in the newsletter/PTA website, or gifting a lapel pin to long-term members.
  • Offer a door prize to members (not just attendees) at your PTA meetings.
  • Host an appreciation event at least once a year to recognize PTA members who have actively engaged in PTA events and championed your goals. Give certificates and public thanks for their work.
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