Gain and Retain: The Basics of Membership in Your Nonprofit

Originally posted three years ago, but the ideas are the same. Altrusa District Nine reached ONE THOUSAND STRONG by following some of this advice. We can attain those lofty goals. Just BELIEVE.

On Tuesday night I attended the DFW Club’s installation banquet. I had a fabulous time! The food was great, the company was great, and of course, the cause was great. I want to tell you, though, about something in particular this club did very well. They hosted an event that was effective for both guests (potential Altrusans) and members (Altrusans we’d like to retain). It was amazing, and looked almost effortless. You can do it in YOUR club, too. Make every meeting an EVENT, and you’ll “gain and retain.”

GAIN GAIN GAIN
I bet DFW gets at least two new members out of this meeting, and perhaps one for another District Nine club. Why? Because they showed off their programs and their members were thrilled to tell the guests all about them.

• A presentation showed off their projects from the entire year. Just pictures set to music. I heard guests asking all about the projects, and I heard members enthusiastically describing them.
• Display boards, along with samples of some of their projects like blankets they are making, set at opposite corners of the room, drew guests in as they wondered “what is up with that cute blankie!” and allowed guests to explore the offerings of their club on their own time.

RETAIN RETAIN RETAIN

• DFW has a great group of ladies. They are all chatty and engaging, and they are proud of what they’ve accomplished. The slide show really allowed them to reminisce and reflect about the great things they’ve done. With that combined with the inspirational installation program, current members came away with some inspiration to make the coming club year even better.
• Adorable (yet simple) decorations added a special touch. They had their napkins tied with ribbons … that had our great new logo! I kept my little yellow bow and attached it to my pin ribbon. It’s fantastic!

If I had one suggestion for the club, it would be to make sure to get the contact information for your guests and follow up. You don’t need to “close the deal” right away, just send a note to say thanks, and give her a call about a week before your next event to invite her along.
Thank you, Altrusa International Inc. of DFW, for a wonderful evening. Linda Pavona, you put together a great program and installation. Carla Helstrom, you’re going to be a great president. And Altrusans of DFW, please invite me to your next event. I want to be part of the amazing service you provide!

Beth Blair
Governor-Elect

Labor Day

Amazingly enough, Labor Day was productive in the Blair household. Some cleaning got done (which is a miracle in itself), some volunteering got done, and some introspection happened, too.

The introspection is probably at the top of my list. My BFF texted me this morning to tell me that a mutual friend of ours had passed away Friday. He was her boss, and my client. I remember him well and love him dearly. Many a lazy afternoon we would spend talking Baylor and/or Texas Tech football, or him showing me photos of his precious grandbaby, or me listening to hours of fly-fishing stories. Terry knew how to spin a yarn, and he was a passionate guy. I was fascinated, and I loved working on his stuff, too. No matter what the project, whether difficult or simple, mundane or exciting, the good clients make everything worthwhile and make me remember why I do what I do.

Another client left me this week--just to Kansas, though. His departure is still rough. When he came to the national office, a friend of mine told me that I would "love Mark." He turned out to be right. Mark was the easiest client I ever had. He explained things, and he let me in on his plans. I knew what to expect, and in return I tried to give him the same. He taught me a lot about leadership, planning, and (maybe most of all) making work fun. Thank you, Mark, for the Disney tips! How can you not be the best client ever with all the insider's knowledge of Disney World, I ask?

So, good-bye, Terry, until we meet again. Enjoy heaven's version of Philmont. And as for you, Mark, I'll see you soon. Isn't it funny how things never stay the same?

Seriously. Hungry Words.

Does this get easier? I’m on … let’s see … day seven of my “pre-op liquid diet,” which consists of a protein, meal-replacement shake for breakfast and dinner and a box (Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones, etc.) for lunch. This morning it was an Advocare berry-flavored meal-replacement shake with ice, which I really like. But I just couldn’t get it all down. Then I followed that up with a Smart Ones turkey and stuffing, which was mediocre at best. I’m not hungry, really. Maybe a little. But I am hungry FOR something. I want Cheetos.

I begged my (only, last, remaining) friend at work to bring me donuts, chocolate milk, and a big bag of crunchy Cheetos. I offered him $500. He’s being nice and not doing it. But I’d seriously sell my car, cat, or husband if they’d give me a big cheesy Cheeto… You know, the kind that gets coated with all that glorious orange stuff at the bottom of the bag? That’s the Cheeto I want. My kingdom for a cheesy Cheeto! Really, I’m hoping against hope that the surgery takes away all cravings. They say it will. Sometimes I forget.

See how hunger has made me deliriously digress?

NSV: That’s “non-scale victory” for you who aren’t in the know like me. I’m like the weight loss process queen. Notice I didn’t say I was queen of losing weight, because that would be stupid. Anyway … NSV: My wedding rings fit again. I love wearing them, because I rarely wear jewelry of any kind. They remind me of my new outlook on life: Work is just a job. Get through the day. Go home and live your life with your family and friends, and let that be your joy.

Waitin’ on my 4:30 joy ride home to kiss my dog, my cats, and my husband, probably in that order.

Highest weight: 374.
Current weight: 324. (How does that happen? How do you gain two pounds overnight when all you had was two shakes and a box?)
Surgery date: March 28, 2014.
Goal weight: Not within sight yet.

Change of Focus

Way back in July 2013, it was a whopping 374.
On November 5, 2013, it was 364.
On December 30,  2013, it was 345.
On January 10, 2014, it was 347.
On January 31, 342.
February 13, 339.
February 19, 335.
Today, 322.

That's right. I'm talkin' about my big fat weight. Yep, I'm throwing it out there for the world to see and letting you know that I'm changing my focus. I haven't blogged in several months. Lots of months. Over a year. Now I am starting again.

The cool thing is, I'm having weight loss surgery, specifically gastric sleeve, next Friday. I started a liquid diet (1000 calories a day) several days ago. It seems to be working. Anyway, this is my last chance. This post won't be particularly eloquent, but I expect future ones will hold more emotion than you can shake a stick at. So come back and read, and keep me accountable and away from the Cheetos. I desperately want a big bag of crunchy Cheetos...

Highest weight 374.
Current weight 322.
Goal weight whatever's healthy.

People I Can't Wait to Meet in Heaven

I'm doing a lot of cleaning up (and cleaning out) of stuff, including lots of old papers and pictures that were my Daddy's. I ran across some stuff from Granddaddy's Book of Remembrance that I haven't read in forever. I love this stuff.

This is an excerpt that my great-grandmother Emma (Daddy's grandmother, Granddaddy's mother) wrote to the church paper. The "little 15 year old Robert" mentioned is my granddaddy. I love this. I love being able to claim a strong Christian family. I want to make them proud, and I am proud to have them.

Will, Robert, and Emma Rash

"Dear Brother Richards:
"It is with a thankful heart I wish to write a few lines to tell about our wonderful meeting at Waco yesterday. Two deacons were ordained. Then Elders Childers and Watts preached so good for us, it sure was a heavenly place on earth to me, for my little 15 year old Robert came home to the dear old church. I asked him about a month ago what his evidence was, he said he heard me singing 'Jesus, thou art the sinners friend,' and something came over him that he wanted to join the church. He said to me, 'Mamma, don't you remember Grandma read in the Bible to remember thy Creator in the day of thy youth?' But first of all, six years ago he lay at the point of death in the hospital. The old Sisters came and knelt around him with a black cross in their hand, but last night he saw a white cross. Some of the children asked him if he was going to be a [C]hristian, he answered very proudly that we was going to be an Old Baptist.
"Oh dear Lord, let me so live that he will always want to live in the church and follow in thy footsteps.
"Mrs. Emma Rash
"Lorena, Texas"

And so he did.

Here are some of his memories about that time, written in his book of remembrances to me (reading this book always makes me cry, so forgive the typos):

"I know there is a God because A presence outside of human stayed beside me during a number of serious illnesses. I did not know that it was God, but it had to be He. He told me many times that He would not take me from those I loved. He also convinced me that all humanity must die or be transformed when time is no more in order to gain immortality."

"The first time I knew God was real I thought that he was angel sent from God. Occasion--I was 7 years old and dying of ruptured appendix. God sent the good surgeon to pull me from the brink."

"The things my mother taught me about God That is God--only one God. Love Him and His Son with all your heart. Have faith in Him because without faith, it is impossible to please Him."

And my favorite: "I experienced a turning point in my faith when I was 14. Primitive Baptists beleive that you must be born again to be with Him forever. I was lying on a grassy bank of the Bullhide Creek in the shade of a weeping willow when a ray of sunshine found its way through the leaves. It seemed to say, 'You are Mine. Come.'"

I'm Sick

Not "as a dog" or even a "sick puppy." Just messy enough to raise eyebrows if I show my face at work today. Aches and pains? I can't tell if it's steroids or coughing, but I gots 'em.

So, I attempt to work from home on a project I need to get done, and this is what happens. Mindless blogging because I can't concentrate. Here, then, are some random things to pepper the day. Nothing exciting, mind you, but random can be fun sometimes.

Macy is lying in the hall, using the closet door to prop up her head so she can appear awake to the cat, who is lying on top of the couch behind my head, waiting to scratch her eyes out.

Scott, who got me sick in the first place and is also home sick today (a rarity to say the very least), is snoring in the recliner, mouth open. I wish I had a feather on a stick ... :)

It occurs to me that I am wiped out after having made the standard chicken noodle soup for lunch. The dishwasher, which is on probation right now while we decide whether we need a new one, is churning with several days' worth of dirty dishes. I hate it when Scott loads and doesn't run the thing. How gross. Anyway.

It's 13 days until my birthday! At least I won't be 40 anymore. :) And to celebrate my new oldness, I am going to see Fuel at Hat Tricks. Love Fuel. Love love love.

Speaking of love... It's also 12 days until Valentine's Day. For V-Day this year, I am going to do the Love Dare for my husband. Before you get too excited, look it up. I told him I was doing it, but I look forward to seeing his reaction. In other Valentine's Day news, I think I will send a candy bouquet or something. I don't know. Any ideas are welcome.

I was nice to my mommy this week. After a vendor visit in my own neighborhood, I was off work a bit early on Tuesday night, so I surprised her by taking her to dinner and to the neighborhood shopping spots until she pooped out. She enjoyed it, and so did I, and I was still home by 7 in time to rest. These steroids really wear me out. I think it's harder every time I have to take them.

Things I hate about steroids: The taste of the vile things. Swollen ankles (and I mean REALLY swollen). Constant hunger. Constant eating, interrupting what was a pretty good start on some dieting. Crabby pants attitude that is obvious even to me, but unstoppable. Strange, constant feeling that something just isn't right. Fitful, light sleep. Need for more rest than usual (but no more hours in the day to do so). Steroids just suck. And if you've never been on them, you just have no idea.

Scotty's on steroids right now for his sicky. One whole week. Woo. But any steroids means evil. We should be a pretty good pair here in a couple of days.

Tell Me Again What Vacation Is For

So, I've been off work this week, a break I needed desperately. We spent the first weekend in big t-town, finishing the move of all the rest of my mom's spider-infested (ok, maybe not infested, but certainly inhabited) crap that she can't live without. The effects of neglect on the house are depressing. I cried, and i think Scott felt pretty helpless right then. Well, so did I.

And on Sunday night, my eye, which has been just kind of bugging me for a few weeks, decided to rear its ugly head. I was confined to the world's most uncomfortable recliner for most of the week, unable to focus and unable to eat (which wasn't a bad thing, necessarily). Two doctor trips later, I am functioning again. It's Friday. My vacation is over. Cuss word.

One good thing: I was feeling well enough to cart Stefanie (aka Superfit) to have her knee scoped. So here I sit, tapping out words with one hand on the iPad while she feasts on the good drugs. My eye is sore (put down the iPad, dummy) but I'm happy to be out and about on this beautiful day.

Tomorrow, I'm buying a piggy bank. Maybe I'll blog about it.


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Location:Fogelson Ln,Dallas,United States