There seem to be many questions and misconceptions about the recent changes of the Special Interest Groups hierarchy. Hopefully we can clarify and put the questions and concerns to rest.

The SIGs have NOT been disbanded; we have simply realigned the hierarchy of communication. The key point to keep in mind is that this change is taking place because the SIG participants are full members of GWRRA and do not need a designated staff person at the Chapter, District or Region level to speak for them. We are asking that the SIGs now use the normal lines of communication like every other member of GWRRA. The SIGs are part of the Membership Enhancement Division; and for this reason communications should be channeled through the Chapter, District and Region MED Coordinators or the Chapter, District and Region Directors.

These changes have taken place to alleviate the staffing challenges the Region, District and Chapter Directors face in adding extra people to fill these positions and to bring the SIG participants back into the Chapter, District and Region activities. The SIGs still have a message board designation and a page on the MED (Member Enhancement Division) website for communications. We have a page on the MED website designated for all GWRRA events and activities that they can use for an informational outlet.

We are always looking for ways to improve our recruiting and retention efforts in GWRRA. Now, more than ever, it is very important to have Membership Enhancement Coordinators at every level of the Organization. You will hear Chapter Directors say “we don’t have enough participants to fill a Membership Enhancement Coordinator position,” but when you look at the staff rosters of the chapter, they have people filling positions of photographer, phone tree coordinator, advertising, accessories and goody sales, historian, sunshine, or event coordinator. These people are already performing a small portion of the MEC responsibilities, so you could adjust their current tasks. The MEC can ask other Chapter, District or Region Members to assist by helping with these other multiple tasks.

A Membership Enhancement Coordinator will serve many purposes that will help to lighten the work load of the Chapter Director, thus giving him/her more time to do their job (administering to the chapter and the chapter participants). The MEC can help with checking monthly the Hot List, New Member List and the Expiration List. They can contact, follow up, etc. all the Members, new Members and potential Members on these lists. Their function is to explain the different benefits of a GWRRA Membership to all our existing and potential Members by getting articles in the Chapter, District or Region newsletters and by making presentations at the Chapter socials. It is also part of their job to plan and promote “FUN” activities for the Chapter, District or Region (Mall Shows, cruise-ins, picnics, and crazy bowling nights). The “FUN” activities list could go on and on. Their role is also to explain the different programs within GWRRA (Rider Education, Rescue/Rescue Plus, Couple of the Year, Leadership Training, etc.)

I hope you can see how important this coordinator is, not only to the Chapter, District or Region, but the overall Association. By adding a MEC to your staff you will be able to lighten your work load and concentrate on having “FUN”. For our Members’ sake, Try It…. You’ll Like It.

June Agee
Membership Enhancement Director