Step 4: follow-up

Communicate and follow-up

When a new member has signed an application form, post it to us immediately.

Give the new member a temporary membership card. Point out that they will be treated as a full member the moment they hand in their application form.

Tell them that Prospect headquarters will send out a new member's pack once their application has been processed.

If you have spare copies of your branch bulletin or the Prospect journal give him or her a copy of the last issue.

Make sure you tell the new member:

• Who their local rep is and how they can be contacted. In most cases local reps should be the first point of contact for information, queries or problems.
• How your branch/section works and how it is linked to Prospect nationally.
• When and where your next section or branch meeting will take place and encourage them to attend.
• What the arrangements are for receiving Prospect Bulletin. The vast majority of members have an individual copy of the Bulletin posted to their nominated address.
  

Information

Good organisation and communication is the key to any successful union branch. Keeping members informed about what is happening in their workplace:

• Ensures that Prospect is visible at work
• Shows Prospect is an active organisation
• Creates a sense of belonging.

Branches are urged to:

• Use noticeboards - the shop window for your branch/section
• Advertise Prospect reps and meetings
• Pin up Prospect literature (posters, education courses, circulars, members' guides etc) as soon as it becomes available
• Circulate new material promptly
• Issue a branch newsletter.
  

Retention

Retaining members is as important as recruiting them. So it is vital to investigate threats of resignation early on, identify the problem and put it right. In dealing with dissatisfied members it is best to treat their concerns sympathetically and promptly so they can see they are being taken seriously. On occasion it may be appropriate to encourage the member to raise their complaint at a meeting of the branch or section. Where necessary, advice should be sought from the headquarters officer.

All resignations should be treated as a priority. The branch or section chair should write personally to anyone who has resigned, inquiring why and offering to look into their problem. The headquarters officer should also be informed immediately. Headquarters will inform local reps of any resignation which it receives directly.

Recruitment campaigns Campaigns are a good way to raise the profile of the union and to sharpen up recruiting practices for the longer term. You will need to:

• Involve as many representatives and members as possible
• Update membership profiles in every workplace
• Use a theme to publicise the campaign (pay negotiations, personal cases etc)
• Make members aware of the campaign, to encourage their participation.
• Make direct approaches to non-members
• Contact the RO unit if necessary

Do not miss any opportunity to boost participation. Use the branch bulletin, noticeboards, a local leaflet or poster, publicity at AGMs or other meetings, a stall in the canteen or outside the workplace - even e-mail where available.

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