April 1 marks the launch date for the 2017 Chapter Recruiting Program. Later this month, national MOAA will send out annual recruiting lists that contain the names of potential members who are eligible to join a chapter. This list will serve as the foundation for your chapter’s annual recruiting campaign.

Depending on where you live, the annual recruiting list can contain dozens or even hundreds of names — especially if your chapter is located near a military installation. Here are some tips for sorting your recruiting list:

• Target MOAA Life members first. These prospects often are easier to recruit because they already are sold on the benefits of being a MOAA member.
• Target prospects in the 50- to 70-year-old age range. Remember, you’re not just looking for new members. You’re looking for new members who will participate in the chapter and be willing to hold leadership positions.
• Focus on the prospects whose geographic location makes them more likely to join. Look at the prospect’s ZIP code or see what town they live in. If it will take the prospect more than an hour one way to attend chapter meetings in an urban area or the prospect lives more than 25-50 miles away from where the chapter meets, he or she probably is less likely to join.
• Make recruiting a team effort. Once you’ve done the initial sort, divvy the list up among members of the board of directors or members of your recruiting committee.
• If the prospect is older, provide information about your chapter’s ride-sharing program to meetings, if one exists. Some older members find it difficult to participate in a chapter because of transportation challenges.
• Sort the list based on whether you are an urban chapter or a rural/large geographic area chapter.

Find additional details about the 2017 Chapter Recruiting Program and helpful recruiting tools and tips on national MOAA’s website.