Progressions

Making the Recruitment Efforts Stick: Maintaining Membership After Obtaining Membership

Welcome to the “Club”! Now what?

As the beginning of the school year approaches, PRSSA Chapters across the globe are gearing up for involvement fairs and club rushes. While recruiting members presents its own challenges, the real test begins after students sign up. Free pizza and stickers might draw crowds to your booth, but sustaining engaged members requires a more strategic approach.

Here are several strategies to help your Chapter turn interested faces into consistent, engaged members.

Start Strong and Maintain Momentum

The first few weeks of the school year are crucial. Whether you are connecting with freshmen or transfer students newly introduced to the major, capitalize on that early excitement.

At involvement fairs, don’t just pass out flyers, collect contact information. Have a sign-up sheet or digital form where students can share their name, major and email. Consider printing QR codes that direct visitors to your Linktree, website or social media platforms. Adding prospects to a general Slack channel creates an immediate connection point where they can ask questions and stay informed about upcoming events.

Once you’ve made that first contact, keep the momentum going. Send a welcome email or introductory newsletter within a week. Let them know what your Chapter offers, how to get involved and when the next event is. Focus on what makes PRSSA different. We are more than a club, and have Chapters around the world. Use that to your advantage when recruiting!

Don’t Get Discouraged When Involvement Declines

Not every event will be a home run, and that’s normal.  Sometimes success means simply staying in the game. This might look like maintaining a core group of consistent members or having a steady stream of events on the calendar. Consistency is key. You never know which event will be the one that hooks someone for good.

Stay Interesting and Provide Value

What makes someone want to stay involved? Two things: connection and value.

Start with connection. People join organizations to meet people, not just professionals. Networking can be intimidating, especially for new members, so begin the year with low-pressure socials that focus on building community. Ice cream socials, mixers or even a vision board party can make first-year students feel more at home. 

Go up to at least three new members at every meeting and start a conversation. Showing people you care and are invested in their success will help them invest in your Chapter. 

Then, deliver value by asking members what topics they’re interested in. Instagram polls, open e-board general meetings or a quick survey in your Slack channel are easy ways to collect feedback. Members should gain tangible benefits from their involvement, whether through professional networking opportunities, exclusive site visits or skill-building workshops. If students are curious about crisis communication, plan a Q&A with a local professional. If they’re looking to build portfolios, create a small campaign project or invite members to join a mock pitch team.

In my Chapter, we worked with a student entrepreneur on her Kickstarter campaign. Members helped shape her launch strategy, gaining hands-on experience while helping another student succeed. The project created excitement that carried us into the next quarter when we hosted a District Conference. Check out our client work portfolio here. 

Meet Members Where They Are

My Chapter is on the quarter system and has two campuses, so meeting members where they are is extremely important. Students typically won’t make unnecessary trips to campus, so make participation convenient. Pay attention to when core PR classes meet and avoid scheduling competing events. If most students are on campus Monday and Wednesday, don’t plan your main events on a Friday. If your school also has multiple campuses or commuter students, consider hybrid meetings or rotating locations. 

Lead with Positive Energy

Student leadership roles can be exhausting, especially when juggling academic responsibilities with Chapter management. However, maintaining a positive attitude significantly impacts member retention. Your energy sets the tone for the entire organization.

A positive mindset starts with self-awareness. Check in with yourself and your executive board regularly. Delegate tasks when needed and trust your team to deliver. Empowering others not only lightens your load but also builds a stronger, more invested board.

Remind yourself why you joined PRSSA. For me, it’s incredibly fulfilling to see new members benefit from the opportunities our Chapter works so hard to provide. Whether it’s a student landing their first internship or watching friendships form at a social event, those moments remind us that the work matters. 

Another good practice that can make a world of difference to someone is simply saying hello. Introduce yourself to each new member that walks through the door and feels the energy in the room shift. Think back to your first meeting, chances are, you were a little unsure too. Break the ice by being warm and welcoming. 

Enthusiasm is contagious, if your board is motivated, members will be too. 

Final Thoughts

Member retention isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up. The more consistent, intentional and inclusive your Chapter is, the more likely it is that members will want to come back for more. 

The process may not be easy, but it will be worth it. Your future e-board, District Conference planning team or lifelong professional network may already be sitting in that first meeting. Your job is to make them want to stay.