You may find the following checklists helpful in the recruitment and retention of new members.

Membership policy document

Check that you have the following information in your membership policy document:

◊ a statement of your organisational aims

◊ an organisational structure chart

◊ a clear written expectation of member behaviour, including a commitment to equal opportunities and confidentiality

◊ a commitment to offer induction, ongoing support and training

◊ a commitment to support, with details of support provision

◊ information about insurance cover and health and safety responsibilities

◊ a commitment to pay expenses, and details of claim procedures and mileage rates

◊ information about the potential impact on state benefits of being a member

◊ procedures for disciplining members

◊ procedures for member grievances or complaints

◊ procedures for monitoring and evaluating volunteer tasks

◊ information about the process for reviewing the member policy

The recruitment process

In order to ensure that you have considered every part of the member recruitment process, ask yourself the following questions:

◊ Do you have job profiles for different member roles which outline the tasks and personal qualities or experience required?

◊ Do you have a simple application form?

◊ Do you informally interview potential members?

◊ Do you ask for references?

◊ Do you try a mix of different recruitment methods?

◊ Do you record how successful different recruitment methods are?

◊ Do you have a rolling recruitment plan?

◊ Do you provide all new members with an induction?

◊ Do you provide training for members?

◊ Do you have support systems in place to ensure regular feedback to and from members?

◊ Do you have ways of saying ‘thank you’ to members through social events, giving cards, and so on?

◊ Do you try hard to make sure that your access group has a high public profile?

Checklist for trustees/Management Committee

The trustees/Management Committee should consider the following questions:

◊ Is there a clear understanding of the role of the trustees/management committee?

◊ Is the participation of members clearly linked to the achievement of the organisation’s objectives?

◊ Are the trustees/ management committee satisfied that all health and safety requirements are met?

◊ Are the trustees/management committee satisfied that there is adequate insurance cover for employer’s liability professional indemnity and other reasonable risks?

◊ Are the different roles and responsibilities of trustees/management committee members and other members understood?

◊ Are lines of communication between trustees/management committee and other members clearly defined and understood by all?