Retention Committee

Chariman: SK Curtis J Hoppe

Information from Supreme for this committee:

• Cut down on membership suspensions, a serious problem in the growth of our Order and its councils. The first step toward retaining members is the establishment of a strong, active membership retention committee including the deputy grand knight (chairman) and the trustees. Our Order loses many members within the first or second year after initiation because they are uninformed on the programs, objectives and achievements of the Knights of Columbus. Others leave due to lack of opportunity to reap the benefits of membership, including the chance to work on activity committees they found interesting and challenging.
• Determine the causes of suspensions in your council and provide possible solutions to the problem. Examine your “council’s conscience” often to find possible reasons why a member loses interest in maintaining his active membership in the Order, then work to eliminate those reasons.
• Make certain that your financial secretary is following the prescribed procedures for the “Notice of Intent to Suspend” program, including personal contact by the retention committee. Have him give a list of those members who are in danger of being suspended to the retention committee. The committee can divide the list equally and have teams of two members each personally call upon those members and urge them to become active again.
• Make certain that an Admission Committee is appointed and operating properly within your council. The “Admission Committee Questionnaire” (#391, E, F, S) should be completed in triplicate by each new applicant. The questionnaire is distributed to the program director and the Knights of Columbus insurance agent and one copy is retained in the council files. New members should be assigned to program committees of interest to them as soon as possible. Make certain that all members have some specific responsibility or task within the council.
• Evaluate the programs and activities now being sponsored by your council. Full utilization of the Service Program proves to be the very best membership retention measure available. Suggest diversified programs aimed at improving your council’s image in the community. Programs must be meaningful, sincere and diversified to provide appeal to all segments of your membership.
• Promote retention programs sponsored by the state and Supreme councils.
• Conduct “Operation: Re-Member.” Your financial secretary should be able to provide a listing of all members suspended from your council. After obtaining the listing, it is suggested that each former member be personally contacted and asked to enroll again as an active member in your council. Check the rules governing membership procedures for former members. All recruiters should be familiar with these procedures before contacting former members.
• Conduct a survey among members to determine their preferences for committee work. A special “Member Interest Survey” (#1842) is available in quantity and at no charge through the Supply Department for use in this effort. Make certain members are appointed to those committees where their interests lie.
• Plan a “Welcome Back” or “Come Home” program for former members. Send special invitations to attend the program to all former members and their families. Also invite members of your council and their families to the program. Show one of the Order’s videos which help tell the story of the Knights of Columbus. Arrange for appropriate speakers. Following the program, arrange to contact all former members in regard to activating their membership in the council.
• Strive to streamline council meetings. Keep discussions, comments, etc., within the proper limits. Extraneous matters should be promptly referred by the grand knight to the proper committees for further discussion and solution.
• See that council meetings start on time — even if only a few are present. When the members begin to realize that the meetings will start on schedule, meeting attendance will be improved, interest built and more members will be retained as active members.
• Institute a “Shining Armor Award” program to get your council’s new members active in service programs as soon as possible. This program was set up to recognize service to the Order with distinction during a Knight’s first year of membership. It’s a tremendous way to get new members active and also honor them as elite members of the State Council’s membership during their first year as a Knight. New Knights that are involved in at least three service programs, attend three council business meetings, receive their Third Degree, meet with their council’s insurance representative and recruit at least one new member — all during their first year of membership quality for this award. More information about this program can be obtained by reading the Shining Armor Award Flyer (#4297).