Rules:

1. Paid member totals as of July 1, 2009 will be used as a starting point across the board.
2. The contest officially kicked off on October 1, 2009.
3. Submit by email "paid member" totals as of March 1, 2010, together with a brief narrative (2 paragraphs maximum) explaining how you accomplished your increase.
4. 80% of your score will be based on percentage increase from September to March.
5. 20% of your score will be based on your narrative and how you achieved your results.
6. Winner will be announced via email on March 19, 2010, and awarded, in person, at the 2010 Spring Convention in Mobile, Alabama. The Membership Coordinator for the winning club will receive a fabulous prize!
7. In case of a tie, those clubs contributing to the tips and success stories will receive 5 points for each unique idea not previously used but entered to use on the web site. 

Here are some simple tips and success stories to get your club up and running to increase your membership:

• Consider adding Corporate Membership level for those clubs that only have one type of membership. Corporate level can be offered at a discounted rate of multiple members from one company.  AAF-NA almost doubled their membership the first year Corporate level was introduced.  (Jessica Coleman, AAF-North Alabama)
• If the economy has affected your membership, point out the value that they receive for the dues they pay.  Consider reducing the fees for one year to current members as an added bonus to members.  (Lisa Stansbury, AAF-Baton Rouge)
• Give members 3 brochures describing the benefits and opportunities that the club provides.  Then ask members to consider asking one advertising friend to come to the next luncheon or social opportunity with them.  As an incentive for each member that brings a friend, include their name in a drawing to win a cash prize.  If the friend joins the club, the member is automatically included in 2 additional drawings.  There should be no limits to the number of guests  but in order to receive credit, the member must RSVP with the guest's name in advance and pay upon arrival (or in advance).  Guest fees could be lowered during the economic slow down period.  (Susan Kaplan, AAF-Birmingham)
• Coordinate a Member Incentive Program that provides members points for each activity that they complete during a certain period. The top five winners are announced and the first place winner is awarded the MVP Award. A list of activities and points that AAF-Jackson, MS uses to motivate their members can be viewed at http://www.aafjackson.org/Incentive.html.  (Becky White, AAF-Jackson, MS)
• As a way to encourage participation and networking among members, the 2009 -2010 AAF Jackson Board of Directors voted to purchase magnetic name badges for ALL of the membership. At the monthly luncheon programs, each member wore their professional magnetic name badge which identified them and their place of employment.  Likewise, each board member has their own name badge with club title to makes it easier for members to identify the governing board of the club. This encouraged members to approach committee chairs on which they are interested. (Becky White, AAF-Jackson, MS)