Secrets to Growth of Green Meetings Organization

The Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), now up to 15 chapters established or in development stages, is seeing success in one chapter in particular: the Northern California Chapter. As of May 31, the chapter's membership count stood at 103. Having led a professional organization chapter in the past, I know that it can be a challenge to maintain growth over the long term. You have got to find ways to keep people interested, whether through fascinating, helpful content or impactful networking opportunities. Linda Mansouria, CMP, CMM, and director of membership for the Northern California Chapter, recently shared the reasons for her chapter's growth. Establishing a target membership goal at the beginning of the year was a priority. This was followed by a list of action steps:

• Held monthly membership committee meetings at an agreed to time and day each month.
• Monthly calls always had an agenda and started on time.
• Lists were divided equally so that each team member had calls to make. Each team member was assigned a group of people to call on: New Member List, Members Up for Renewal, and Lapsed Members.
• Not only were members called but there was also a set of standard e-mail texts developed that could be sent out to the members depending on their membership status.
• A March Membership Drive was held. If a person were to sign up in the month of March, they were entitled to one complimentary educational program of their choice.
• A Membership Recruitment Card (business card size) was produced to hand out to potential members at various events. The Membership Recruitment Cards were distributed to all board members, committee chairs, and the membership committee to pass out to everyone they know within the hospitality industry or encounter at other events.
• The membership committee had a presence at every GMIC NCC hosted event. A membership announcement was made and a table was manned by members of the membership committee to respond to any questions. 
• At events where non-members attended, the committee called each individual non-member to encourage them to join the chapter.

All of these efforts have resulted in GMIC Northern California Chapter membership topping 100. What is the secret to success of the growth of your green organization? What are its biggest obstacles to growth? Be sure to share your comments here.