As far as I can see, there's nowhere where the RSPB itself is discussed. It's understandable almost all the posts are about birds, which we all enthusiastic about, but is there not also a need to examine how we're doing as an organisation? Suggestions for our new Chief Executive perhaps, or thoughts about membership turnover (we sign up lots of new members, but why do so many leave us before long?), or about how we spend our funds in UK or overseas, or about how well campaigns are going (lots of signatures for letter to the future, but not so good when you see it's less than a quarter of our membership).
You will probably guess I'd like to start with a good moan! I volunteered for a couple of different things, and the first response in both cases was "please fill in this form authorising a CRB check". Not very welcoming I thought, how about a phone call first to see if I suit the job and the job suits me! How does the RSPB recommend its staff to handle the first contact with a new volunteer?
Overall the RSPB does a really great job, so this isn't really about moans but about fostering continuing success, by exchanging ideas about how we do things and what we might do extra/differently/less of.
Ah, Seymour (if I may), to think that I so very nearly cited your post as the most thoughtful to date. But you seemed to have so many admirers already! (:-) Their admiration didn't go so far as building on your ideas though, so perhaps I may.
I'm sure you're right about many families rotating their membership around several organisations. Do we encourage this with the freebies (join us and get a free feeder, book ....)? If you leave and come back a year or two later, you get some more freebies! Could we be more cunning and switch the emphasis to freebies when people renew for the first time, or when they've done 5 years or whatever? Maybe we'd get fewer members joining but win out by having more staying? Does anyone know what percentage of new members leave after one or two years?
5WIFT said: Ah, Seymour (if I may), to think that I so very nearly cited your post as the most thoughtful to date. But you seemed to have so many admirers already! (:-) Their admiration didn't go so far as building on your ideas though, so perhaps I may. I'm sure you're right about many families rotating their membership around several organisations. Do we encourage this with the freebies (join us and get a free feeder, book ....)? If you leave and come back a year or two later, you get some more freebies! Could we be more cunning and switch the emphasis to freebies when people renew for the first time, or when they've done 5 years or whatever? Maybe we'd get fewer members joining but win out by having more staying? Does anyone know what percentage of new members leave after one or two years?
5WIFT said: If you leave and come back a year or two later, you get some more freebies! Could we be more cunning and switch the emphasis to freebies when people renew for the first time, or when they've done 5 years or whatever? Maybe we'd get fewer members joining but win out by having more staying? Does anyone know what percentage of new members leave after one or two years?
If you leave and come back a year or two later, you get some more freebies! Could we be more cunning and switch the emphasis to freebies when people renew for the first time, or when they've done 5 years or whatever? Maybe we'd get fewer members joining but win out by having more staying? Does anyone know what percentage of new members leave after one or two years?
Sadly the bar was set by certain insurance companies, a large well known telecom giant and then the mick was taken with those ads from a well known building society :)
The newbies get the best offers and the old faithfuls get a slap-
S
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Sooty, Seymour,
We seem to agree on this downside of freebies. Can we suggest a better way of dealing with it, though - one that still attracts at least those new members who are likely to stay while not making long-term members feel dsiadvantaged or slighted? In the old days some organisations had a joining fee to discourage those tempted to leave and rejoin later, but presumably that would be a big turn-off now. Probably the key renewals to get are the 2nd and 3rd year, and I'd have thought we might be better offering any freebies for those renewals, rather than upfront where they are likely to have most influence on those unlikely to stay with us long. Most long-standing members would not expect or need to be 'bribed' to stay but would I guess would get a warm feeling from thanks/ acknowledgement/certificate at least when they passed 5, 10, 15yr milestones etc. Those of us who give blood certainly don't do it for freebies, but do I think get spurred on a little to keep giving by seeing the acknowledged landmark of their 10th,25th or 50th donation coming within reach. Do RSPB celebrate or acknowledge people reaching 25 years for instance? - I don't remember seeing a list of such veterans in Birds or elsewhere.
Any better ideas?
This may be a ridiculous idea but could the acknowledgement of say 5, 10 15 and 25 years membership be a certificate as you suggest but also a special badge exclusively available only to these longstanding members. There was a thread on here about RSPB badges which can be bought at all the nature reserves etc. I believe they can be quite sought after, therefore an exclusive design for each 'milestone' of membership, free to long term members may induce just the warm feeling mentioned. I realise it would have to be carefully costed.
Perhaps a 25 year membership could also be acknowledged by their names being included in an "Honours List" in the RSPB magazine?
The society could also continue to offer freebies etc to encourage new members.
Kind regards Jane.
I know the Lilliput Lane Collectors club used to produce milestone collectors club badges, my mum earned quite a few before she passed away.
After she did pass away I was offered quite a sum for them as they where quite sort after, I refused.
But they definitely had an impact on keeping members in the club, my mum included.
5WIFT said: Sooty, Seymour, We seem to agree on this downside of freebies. Can we suggest a better way of dealing with it, though - one that still attracts at least those new members who are likely to stay while not making long-term members feel dsiadvantaged or slighted? In the old days some organisations had a joining fee to discourage those tempted to leave and rejoin later, but presumably that would be a big turn-off now. Probably the key renewals to get are the 2nd and 3rd year, and I'd have thought we might be better offering any freebies for those renewals, rather than upfront where they are likely to have most influence on those unlikely to stay with us long. Most long-standing members would not expect or need to be 'bribed' to stay but would I guess would get a warm feeling from thanks/ acknowledgement/certificate at least when they passed 5, 10, 15yr milestones etc. Those of us who give blood certainly don't do it for freebies, but do I think get spurred on a little to keep giving by seeing the acknowledged landmark of their 10th,25th or 50th donation coming within reach. Do RSPB celebrate or acknowledge people reaching 25 years for instance? - I don't remember seeing a list of such veterans in Birds or elsewhere. Any better ideas?
Yes for sure freebies seem to have to be offered and I feel that I get really good value from my long term membership but if RSPB can afford freebies for new members how about a small gift at say 10 years which may encourage others not to leave.This thread seems to have defied the odds and had a lot of comments without any slanging matches so I say well done 5WIFT
Hi,
maybe veteran RSPB members could get 10% deduction on RSPB xmas catalogue stuff or something- ?
No slanging matches is good I agree but no one has mentioned ruddy duck culls, RSPB attitude to Malta and the EU etc etc.
Thanks, Sooty, but credit all round for those contributuing ideas. I like the badge idea (Juno & Jef) - appeals to collecting instinct, and would also enable veteran members (should they wish to display them) to be identified and acknowledged by staff and fellows, while costing very little. And Seymour's discount off catalogue goods would be a reminder of RSPB appreciation of long-term loyalty, and cost could be limited if necessary by copying the likes of Tesco and doing it with vouchers which give so much off a certain size of order - together might encourage enough extra sales to be cost-neutral while still making veterans (which I'm not, in this sense anyway) feel appreciated.
Where we don't seem to have quite as good ideas yet is in how to handle the freebies for new members so that the crucial first and second renewals are encouraged. Any more suggestions here?
Just to add to the freebies statement.
I joined over a year ago and didnt receive any freebies (well a car sticker and a subscription to birds magazine and free parking at reserves etc which are all a bonus) but this isnt the reason why I joined the RSPB.
I joined because its a charity and like any charity that I have joined including the Wildlife Trust and World Vision; I want to give a few quid to help those that are in need wether its for conservation purposes or human poverty.
I am not looking for a pat on the back or a discount in the future for my contribution.
Its out of my own free will and thats how I want it to be.
Thanks
Craig
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein