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Member Recognition

Best practices on how to recognize chapter members.

DETROIT CHAPTER: Member Anniversary Recognition

SUMMARY: Wanting to recognize longtime chapter members, the Detroit Chapter developed a member anniversary recognition program to appreciate individuals who maintained a chapter membership for five or more years. Individuals were recognized via in-person and virtual programming, featured on chapter social media, and presented with gifts based on their tenure, including personalized journals and ATD Detroit jackets. The program successfully celebrated longtime members and now incentivizes newer chapter members to maintain their membership moving forward.

YEAR: 2023


CHARLOTTE CHAPTER: Giving Back—A Member Thank You

SUMMARY: After more than a year of exclusively virtual programming, the Charlotte Area Chapter wanted to recognize their membership and thank them for their continued support. Due to the decreased costs of virtual programming, the chapter had a budget surplus and used it to purchase gifts for members during the holiday season. After proposing several ideas, the board chose to send each chapter member a $10 Amazon e-gift card. As a result, several chapter members re-engaged with the chapter and reached out to the board to express their gratitude.

YEAR: 2022

CENTRAL IOWA: Membership Week Engagement

In 2020, The Central Iowa Chapter hosted a robust and engaging Member Week. Throughout the week, chapter members had various opportunities to win giveaways and engage with the chapter in a meaningful way. Giveaways included an ATD Professional Plus membership, an ATD book bundle of the winner’s choice, and an ATD certificate course. Every day the chapter posed a question in the chapter’s discussion group to encourage members to engage with each other. Due to the successful member week, the chapter’s discussion group added 10 new members, and the chapter welcomed 11 new members in the days following.

YEAR: 2021

MADISON CHAPTER: Getting to Know ATD MAC and Special Thank-You Mailing Surprise

In September 2020, during Member Appreciation Month, the Madison Area Board showed appreciation to its members through a physical mailing. The outreach campaign’s goal was to reinforce to membership that the chapter is available to support its members’ talent development and networking needs during a hard time. The board mailed thank-you cards to each member that included a flier detailing updates on the chapter, different ways to connect with the chapter, and a branded pen and notepad. The members in the chapter’s new all-access membership received an additional gift card. The total cost for postage, gift cards, notepads, pens, envelopes, and printing was approximately $1,200. Due to the success of the campaign, the chapter now mails welcome packages to new members as they join.

YEAR: 2021

NEW YORK CITY CHAPTER: Recognizing Chapter Volunteers With Digital Badges

The New York City Chapter sought a more meaningful way to recognize its volunteers. Previously, the chapter handed out certificates to the volunteers at its year-end volunteer appreciation event. In 2019, the chapter distributed digital badges to volunteers in recognition of their service. Using the free platform Badgr, the board created virtual badges to include the chapter’s logo, year, and volunteer role. Volunteers can showcase the badge on social media, personal websites, LinkedIn profiles, and in their email signatures. The digital badge allows volunteers to proudly and more broadly showcase their chapter volunteer efforts.

YEAR: 2020

ST. LOUIS CHAPTER: Member Emeritus Program

SUMMARY: Beginning December 2013, the St. Louis chapter initiated the Member Emeritus category and honorary title. The membership category was created to honor long term members for their service and time with the chapter. To qualify the member must be in good standing and have maintained continuous chapter membership for a period of 10 years. Along with this honor, each Member Emeritus receives a complimentary renewal to the chapter each year as long as the member maintains an active ATD National membership.

YEAR: 2014

GREATER DETROIT CHAPTER: Member of the Month

SUMMARY: The Greater Detroit Chapter established a monthly member profile shared online via the chapter's blog and other social media channels. The purpose of the profile is to recognize and appreciate chapter members, facilitate networking connections among our chapter members, and encourage non-members to join the chapter.

YEAR: 2014

CENTRAL MISSOURI CHAPTER: Member Recognition

SUMMARY: In an effort to recognize members the chapter decided to spotlight members in its chapter newsletter. By spotlighting members, it brings awareness to the rest of the chapter about who the chapter consists of, what they do, where they word, and diversity within the chapter. This effort also increased chapter membership loyalty.

YEAR: 2010


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