Here are some timely tips from AAUW to help you recruit and involve both new and continuing members:

• Did you recruit new members this spring? Begin the orientation process now so that all members will be ready to participate fully, especially if most of your programming and activities take place between September and May.
• Have you visited the AAUW Experience on the AAUW website? You and your members — both new and seasoned veterans — can now take a virtual tour of AAUW, our programs and our issues. Think of the site as a video “elevator speech.” The AAUW Experience also makes a perfect show-and-tell piece for your branch and state.
• Do you plan year-round programming and activities, including the summer months? The issues involving breaking through barriers for women and girls do not disappear during the summer. Some members, especially educators, may be more available at this time.
• Are you a new state or branch membership vice president? Meet with your predecessor to discuss your role, as well as the challenges and successes of your branch, so that you may continue the work of retaining and recruiting AAUW members.
• Do you have a degree-granting postsecondary institution in your community? Imagine the possibilities: instructional staff as potential members,  college/university partnerships that benefit both the institution and AAUW, and free e-student affiliation for all undergraduates at partner institutions. These partnerships can be a great experience for your branch, your state and AAUW, as well as for the institutions, their staff and students.

AAUW Ohio resources

• Get more tips on programming and membership recruitment from AAUW Ohio.
• Find out more about Making Membership Meaningful, our statewide membership campaign that involves holding roundtable workshops across the state to help Ohio branches stabilize and grow their membership. Consider scheduling one for your area by contacting Gillian Holzhauser-Graber, AAUW Ohio Membership Vice President, at gholzhausergrab@woh.rr.com.