With a stabilizing membership base and an increase in retention rates in 2010, NAHB’s membership committee is optimistic about growth throughout the federation in 2011.

To build on the further improvements in housing activity expected this year, NAHB’s 2011 membership campaign is providing more opportunities for home builders associations to maximize the return on their grassroots recruitment campaigns in dozens of fun ways.

In addition, the association’s new Touch System membership retention program is geared to bolstering the efforts of short-staffed associations, said Ann Garvey, chair of the NAHB Membership Committee and executive director of the Charlotte, Mich., Chamber of Commerce.

“With the launch of the new Touch Program, we are equipping our locals with tools that not only make their lives easier, but that will help ensure we keep those new members we have all worked so hard to recruit,” she said.

NAHB is tackling this challenge with The Winning Hand, a national membership campaign that includes prizes for recruiters, and an implementation package and incentive program for participating HBAs.

Unlike previous membership campaigns, which have run for one year, The Winning Hand will continue over two years in order to give membership planners ample time to develop a variety of activities — from poker games to 5K races to games of change — that will engage every segment of the membership.

Also, the program is designed to be implemented year-round, not just on National Membership Day in May.

Webinars Offer Details

HBA staff and membership committee volunteers can learn about how to get the most out of the  program by registering for two upcoming webinars:

• “Why Should I Join? — Develop Your Value Proposition and Plan to Use It.” 12:00 noon EST, Feb. 8. The seminar discusses the best, most direct techniques for developing a membership value proposition and incorporating it into a statement that HBA leadership and Spikes can use to effectively speak to prospects. To learn more and to register, click here.
  
  
• “The Winning Hand Campaign Details.” 2:00 p.m. EST, Feb. 24. This seminar discusses how HBAs can best take advantage of the “poker” theme in this year’s campaign by motivating volunteers and encouraging members to place bets, win chips and support membership recruitment. To learn more and to register, click here.

When participants first join the web conference, they will be prompted to enter a telephone number at which the system will then contact them and connect them to the audio portion of the conference.

Participants using a switchboard should notify the operator that they will be receiving a call from the web conference so the operator can transfer the call. The system cannot dial extensions or prompts. Alternately, participants can dial in using the information below for accessing the meeting via phone only.

To access the audio-only portion of the webinar "Why Should I Join," call 866-628-8629 and type the passcode 103329.

To access the audio-only portion of the webinar "Learn the Details About the Winning Hand Membership Campaign," call 866-628-8629 and type the passcode 526645.

“For the NAHB Membership Committee, this year has been all about supporting our local associations as we work together to build a stronger membership base for our future,” Garvey said.

For questions about the webinars or other membership marketing topics, e-mail Brenda Gentry at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8347.

Seeking Strong Association Advocates

Whether you’ve learned a new skill, built a better network or benefitted from the exposure you’ve gained through membership — NAHB wants to hear about how the benefits of membership helped you.

In an effort to better develop our new product pipeline and understand what efforts bring members the greatest value, we’re asking you take a moment and write to us about your membership experience.

All submissions will be carefully read and considered, and some may be featured in future editions of Nation’s Building News.

To submit your reflection, e-mail membership@nahb.org, or contact Gabrielle Alahouzos at 800-368-5242 x8351.