Member appreciation can help build and strengthen a chamber of commerce or an association’s reputation and credibility. When members are happy and valued, they will be encouraged to stay and spread the word about your organization.
If you are looking for ideas to thank your members, you’ve come to the right place. This article will show you the most effective ways to show appreciation that can boost membership renewals in the future.
Key Takeaways
- Member appreciation is crucial for building and strengthening a chamber of commerce or association's reputation and credibility.
- Highlighting members' achievements and involving members in decision-making are effective ways to show appreciation.
- Organizing member appreciation days or weeks, creating appreciation videos, offering birthday perks, etc, are excellent strategies for appreciating and engaging members.
- Appreciation fosters loyalty, reduces churn, increases engagement and volunteerism, encourages positive word-of-mouth, promotes feedback and innovation, enhances the chamber’s reputation, and strengthens the community.
- Regular recognition programs help build a positive cycle of gratitude, engagement, and mutual support within the chamber.
Why Does Member Appreciation Matter?
Thriving chambers understand the power of member appreciation. As Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, said, "Everyone wants to be appreciated. So if you appreciate someone, don't keep it a secret." It's more than just a courtesy. Beyond igniting member engagement, appreciation brings a wealth of benefits:
Retention
Member appreciation isn't just a feel-good gesture; it's a powerful tool for building loyalty. When members feel valued for their contributions, it not only strengthens their sense of belonging within the chamber community but also directly impacts retention rates.
Moreover, this builds stronger relationships and motivates continued engagement. As a result, members are less likely to become dissatisfied and more likely to stay involved, ultimately boosting overall member retention.
Community Building
Appreciation acts as the glue in a community. Recognizing contributions develops a sense of belonging, where members feel valued and connected.
However, this warm atmosphere encourages continued engagement, inspiring them to contribute their unique talents.
As appreciation grows, so does the community, becoming a vibrant hub of collaboration and mutual support.
A Culture of Gratitude
Studies reveal that 81% of employees feel more motivated when their work is valued. The same applies to chamber members. Recognizing contributions fuels engagement, strengthens connections, and reduces membership churn.
Appreciation becomes the sunshine, nurturing a vibrant chamber where everyone feels valued and inspired to contribute their unique spark.
Anyway, this promotes a culture of gratitude, where members feel respected and motivated to give back, creating a positive cycle that benefits everyone.
Why You Need a Member Appreciation Strategy
A member appreciation strategy is essential because it increases member loyalty, reduces churn, boosts participation and volunteerism, and encourages positive word-of-mouth and reviews.
It promotes constructive feedback and innovation, strengthens connections and teamwork within the community, enhances the chamber's reputation, and attracts new members. Additionally, it increases members' happiness, reduces stress, and improves productivity and cooperation.
To implement this strategy, chambers have regular recognition programs, where they highlight member achievements in communications, create feedback channels for member input, and host appreciation events and gatherings.
1. Highlight Members’ Achievements
You present the best of your members when you highlight their achievements.
Whether they spoke during a conference or joined a community service, recognizing their contributions can inspire them to participate more and engage in the organization.
Write about members in the association newsletter or post on social media for these significant events to become public. Tell the story of its impact on other members and organizational success.
During the association’s annual meeting, you can also host a special event to acknowledge and honor member accomplishments.
2. Set Up a Member of the Month Program
A Member of the Month program in an organization can be an essential tool to motivate members, increase member satisfaction, and promote a culture of excellence.
It is an important initiative you can perform for members to show appreciation. It helps them recognize the organization's values more and realize their part in contributing to its success.
The program for members can offer a flexible online learning and certification, a mentoring program, or free passes to a virtual event to the most engaged one.
Make sure to publish the program's results every month to recognize and celebrate winner success with other association members.
3. Communicate Member Value
Member value is composed of the benefits members receive from the association—may it be the opportunity to participate in activities or access to services. It may also cover CPD, networking, or recognition.
One way to show appreciation is to make sure you clearly communicate the membership benefits being offered. This initiative can make members understand and appreciate the value the organization provides for their own good.
When you have new members, disclose the association’s benefits and perks right away. Offer exclusive content for members like association publications, discussion forums, and email newsletters.
You improve membership value when you also provide networking opportunities and well-thought-out webinars to members.
4. Say ‘Thank You’ With a Card, A Letter, or an Email
Saying thank you to members is professional etiquette, and doesn't matter if you say it through emails or offline handwritten thank you notes. It can make them feel noticed, valued, and appreciated.
There are different types of letters you can send depending on the tone that you intend to communicate.
It’s vital to keep the tone formal when sending a written letter. We also advise that you consider producing a handwritten letter as it’s more memorable and places great value on the importance of your relationship with them.
On the other hand, a thank you note is more personal. With a short and sweet note, you can tell members the things the organization is grateful for while expressing appreciation and gratitude.
If you want a fast way to send your message, an email is always the best method. Create a short, clear, and concise subject line like “Thank You” when sending one.
Make sure to send a thank you message through a phone call right away once an event has ended. You can signal a sincere intention to others if you do it fast. But if ever you’ve sent the message late, it’s still understandable than never making an effort to thank at all.
5. Make Room for Member Involvement
Asking members what they need from the association or gathering member feedback as attendees solve challenges is a surefire way to boost their engagement.
These conversations can take place one-on-one or at a group conference call. Involving members can make them realize their purpose in your organization and are more likely to stay. You can also ask members to organize lead workshops in their areas of expertise.
Another effective way is to set up a virtual networking event that encourages and increases interactions among members despite the distance. It is a space where they can meet each other in a short amount of time.
Glue Up's Speed Networking solution allows professional associations, chambers of commerce, and other membership organizations to host speed networking events virtually.
Members can quickly share digital business cards, participate in one-on-one chats, and schedule meetings online after the meeting.
Plus, other state-of-the-art features create a virtual networking experience that recreates the meaningful aspects of meeting face-to-face for members to connect easily.
Develop Positive Relationships With Members
As more association leaders realize that member experience is essential to success, it’s necessary that they continuously place a high value on appreciating their members all the time.
Expressing gratitude to members can improve retention rates, provide better relationships, and help organizations receive positive feedback.
With the membership appreciation ideas we’ve just provided, we hope you can now make members feel that you truly care about them as you grow the organization.
If you seek ways to automate your organization’s membership management process and maximize retention, book a demo of Glue Up’s Membership Management Software. Our team will show you how our all-in-one solution can help you reach members and connect with them effectively wherever they are.
Member Appreciation Day or Week
One way to show appreciation to your members is to organize a member appreciation day or week for chamber members to recognize and celebrate their invaluable contributions.
However, this could be a designated day each month or an annual week filled with special events, activities, and acknowledgments.
Arranging such a day or week lets you demonstrate how much you value your members, developing a stronger sense of community and loyalty within the chamber.
Appreciation Videos
Create appreciation videos that recognize and celebrate your members' invaluable contributions. These videos can highlight individual achievements and showcase the positive impact members have on the chamber.
Sharing these appreciation videos allows you to showcase your value to your members, which helps promote a stronger sense of community within the chamber.
Birthday Perks
Offering birthday perks is an excellent way to show your members you care. Consider providing special discounts, exclusive offers, or personalized messages on their birthdays.
These thoughtful gestures make members feel valued and appreciated, ultimately strengthening their connection and loyalty to the chamber.
Community Outing
Organize a community outing to show appreciation for your members. Plan a fun and engaging event, such as a picnic, a local tour, or a group activity, where members can relax and enjoy each other’s company outside the usual business setting.
Referral Program
Encourage members to refer new members by offering incentives such as discounts, exclusive benefits, or recognition. Member referral programs show your appreciation for their efforts and help the chamber grow and strengthen through their valuable recommendations.
Merch for Long Time Members
Offer exclusive merchandise to show appreciation for long-time members. Custom items like branded apparel, accessories, or office supplies can serve as meaningful tokens of gratitude. These gifts express thanks and help foster a sense of pride and belonging within the chamber.
Conduct Surveys & Connect With Members
Conducting surveys is essential to truly understanding and meeting the needs of your members. Regularly gather feedback on their experiences and expectations, and use this information to improve your services.
Additionally, make an effort to connect with members personally, whether through one-on-one meetings, phone calls, or casual conversations at events.
Overall, this approach shows that you value their input and are committed to promoting strong, meaningful relationships within the chamber.
