Here are 12 ways to continually provide board members, donors, staff, and clients with good reasons to stay with you.*
- Create an organizational culture that makes retention of “human capital” everybody’s top priority.
- CEO, Board members, senior staff – never eat lunch alone. Phone a donor to join you.
- Have your staff/board members spread out at events, sitting at a different table amongst your members/clients.
- Board members, sit with someone you don’t already know at events.
- CEO, meet with one major donor per month at their place of work.
- Request feedback at the end of events, hand out a card they can fill out before they leave.
- Make it easy for those you serve to let you know if they are not happy.
- Have board members call dropped members to ask why they are leaving.
- Offer a foot-in-the-door, less expensive option for participation.
- Answer the phone on the first ring and be ready to serve.
- Don’t lose an involved member for the sake of marginally involved member.
- Celebrate your staff and donors for their loyalty by acknowledging 2, 7, 10, 20 years or more.
People have choices. Encourage them to choose you and your organization.
*Most of these ideas are from David K. Aaker, IOM.
As always, I am hoping for your every success!
