2018: Recruitment and Engagement

When it came to recruiting its new provisional class, the Junior League of Savannah didn’t just want to attract a large and diverse group of women—they also wanted to firmly set their expectations for what will be asked of them now and into the future as active League members.

To do that, they had to identify whom they would target, and where. The “where” was a particular challenge for the League since its jurisdiction covers the entire Georgia coast, as well as the southern coast of South Carolina with members up to 90 minutes away from headquarters. Because of this, they focused recruitment efforts more heavily in the outer lying areas and adjusted obligations to accommodate those who had to travel.

To be most effective, the JLS broadened its recruitment strategy to include in-person and virtual recruitment socials promoted through social media. As a way to boost engagement and strengthen relationships, provisional members were clustered into small groups based on zip code. Each group had a provisional advisor—an active member that helped encourage engagement, plan socials, and communicate important information for the duration of the new member program.

The JLS realized that if they could improve the membership experience from day one, it could have a profound positive long-term effect on the volume of their League and the satisfaction of their members.

The JLS was able to increase and retain new members, engage its members in a meaningful experience, and generate new leaders for the League. And the community benefited from three provisional projects that the new member class researched, developed and executed.

The Savannah group compiled 300 Confidence Kits, containing hygiene products for underserved children to increase confidence and good habits. Golden Isles held drives to collect items for Teacher Toolkits to distribute to children in need of school supplies. And South Carolina organized a Spring Day of Easter including an egg hunt and dinner for families staying at domestic violence shelter as well as donating contributions from a book drive to the shelter.

To this day, a number of the small groups are still meeting for holiday dinners, girls’ nights out, and rallying around each other if one member is going through a tough time. The JLS’s work in Recruitment and Engagement shows us that bringing women leaders together isn’t just about helping the community, but forging the bonds that make us feel like a family. And when you have a connection like that, the potential for doing great things is limitless.