Member Enhancement

Sid & Donna Cohen
ME Coordinators

http://med.gwrra.org/

Region “A” MEC Web Page
Officer's Connection
GWRRA Nat'l ME Program

March 2008 Newsletter
June Agee Memorial
Welcome to the Georgia GWRRA
Membership Enhancement Program (ME) page.

Currently the Membership Enhancement Division covers four main areas: 1) Couple of the Year Program, 2) Chapter of the Year Program, 3) Member Retention Program, 4) Public Relations, and 5) Fun Activity Program.

1.  The Couple of the Year Program

The most visible FUN part of the MED is the Couple of the Year Program. The (COY) Program was established in 1988. A method of honoring couples for their commitment, enthusiastic, dedication, accomplishment and participation to the ideals of the GWRRA, it begins at the Chapter level. While serving as their Chapter Couple of the Year they are encouraged to participate in the District's Selection Process. District Couples are then encouraged to attend the Region Process of Selection for their Couple. The winning Region Couple is then fortunate to participate in the International Couple of the Year selection process at Wing Ding. But, remember it all starts at the Chapter Level. If you are asked to participate and chosen as a Chapter Couple of the Year, it is an honor and we hope that you will use that position well. While Chapter Couples are encouraged to visit other Chapter Meetings, it is not required. Chapter Couple of the Year position puts the Fun in our motto, Friends for FUN, Safety and Knowledge.  Please see our COY page for more information on our current and past COYs, as well as information on the program itself.

2.  The Chapter of the Year Program

GWRRA's newest program, the Chapter of the Year Program, is designed to recognize chapters that are extraordinary in growth, participation, and activities!  The Chapter of the Year Award and Honorable Mention Awards were created to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts and performance of local chapter leaders and members. The growth and continued success of GWRRA is dependent on the thoughtful planning and implementation of important local initiatives.  All “charter paid” GWRRA chapters worldwide are eligible to participate in the 2007 GWRRA Chapter of the Year Award and Honorable Mention Awards, providing the qualifications have been met.  Each District shall select a Chapter of the Year that demonstrates the greatest combined achievement in the below listed criteria – point category.
Each Region will select one outstanding Chapter that will be compared to other Region chapters at Wing Ding 2008.  Sid & Donna Cohen, Georgia's District Couple of the Year for 2006, have been appointed as the CHOY Coordinators.  Click here for more details on the 2009 Program.  Click here for the 2009 scoresheet.  Please contact Sid & Donna if you would like more information on this program.
 

3.  Member Retention Program

The Member Retention Program (also called Recruitment and Retention) is another extremely important part of the FUN part of the Membership Enhancement Division. There is a New Member Orientation Guide which we encourage our Chapter Directors and their Recruitment and Retention Coordinator to make full use of this guide. Remember, in order to recruit new members and to obtain the current members, we all must work together. Remember the words, 'Just Ask,' and you could sign up a new member to GWRRA today. The new member will be there beside us as we continue to make Friends for FUN, Safety and Knowledge.  Please see our Recruitment & Retention Page for more information on the R&R program.

4.  Public Relations

Public Relations is another very important FUN part of the Membership Enhancement Division. Public Relations is very important in promoting, and advertising our great association. We want to educate the public so they may have a better knowledge and understanding of GWRRA. We want to create a positive image of GWRRA and motorcycling in general. People tend to believe what they read in the newspapers, magazines and newsletters or what they see on TV. If you are writing a press release for the local newspaper, conducting an interview with the media, having a mall bike show, or just writing your article for the Chapter Newsletter, you need to be sure and do it correctly. Remember we are GWRRA - We wear the clothing - We ride the bikes. GWRRA is promoted everywhere. It is promoted anytime. If we can assist you in any matter, be sure to contact us. We must always speak and keep a positive attitude as we promote the image of our great Friends for FUN, Safety and Knowledge.

5.  Fun Activity Program

Fun Activity Program promotes the fact that GWRRA is a social organization of friends. We have Rider Education to promote the 'safety' aspect and we have the Leadership Training Division to help with the 'knowledge' part of our motto. In the Membership Enhancement Division, we have the "FUN" Activities Program. We must continue to have 'FUN' in our organization in order to keep our members. There is a Fun Activities Guide which is very helpful in selecting ideas, games and activities for your meetings and rides. Chapter Directors and other staff take advantage of this tool. It is here for you. If we can assist you in any matter, please contact us. We aim to help you keep the FUN in our lives as we promote our motto, "Friends for FUN, Safety and Knowledge."

 

Publications

 
Chapter Recruitment Contest

The Home Office has implemented a "Chapter Recruitment Contest". Here's how it will work.

The Chapter that recruits the most new members by December 15th of 2009 will have their 2010 charter fee paid by the Home Office and each chapter member attending Wing Ding in Des Moines will get $10.00 off their registration.
 
The chapter that recruits the most new members by November 1st of 2010 will have their charter fee for 2011 paid by the Home Office and each member will receive 50% off their Wing Ding registration for 2011.  The winning chapter will also receive a handsome trophy with their name inscribed which will rotate each year to the next winning chapter.
 
The Chapter that gets the most former (fully expired) members to re-join by December 15th of 2009 will have their 2010 charter fee paid by the Home Office and each member will get $10.00 off their Wing Ding registration for Des Moines in 2010.

So, give it a shot. There are lots of riders (including Gold Wing riders) that aren't members. Let's get them onboard... and see if you can win some fine prizes too.

Sid and Donna Cohen