“Making Life Bearable for our Veterans”

The Membership of our organization is our organization! What we are and what we do is nothing without Members. So, to be strong “Like Bear” We need to grow, to grow we need new members. How do we do this? By inviting everyone to our Family….Our bloodline is only as strong as the members. The Bears are all over this state looking sweeten the pot with 100% plus in membership. We need to bring the Bear necessities to make this happen…. We will be inviting, involving, and investing in all our members. By doing this we will “Make life Bearable for our Veterans” and their families.

After hibernation, the Bears are hungry and will spend many hours looking for Membership.

The goal is for every member to recruit at least one new member this year. Sounds easy right? When was the last time you yourself recruited a new member? Do you even know who’s eligible? (see the eligibility wheel) Did you know there are 12 potential members for every one Veteran.

Let’s start by inviting offering the promise of an attractive or enjoyable experience. When I invite someone, I lead off by saying there is something for everyone and talk about the programs and give specific examples of how they can get involved. Let them know why you joined, “I joined to honor my Dad and his brother who was killed in action. I never want him to be forgotten”. This way they can think of how they can honor someone by joining.

Once you have made the invitation, follow up and when they say yes, you need to get them active.

What is next for that new member? Try getting them involved. Give them a list of upcoming events that they can help at or just attend.

Give them a mentor to help them find a good fit in a program they feel comfortable in.

Show them the ropes and let them share their ideas, and together you’ll grow.

All of this is an investment into the future of your Auxiliary and our organization. None of us will live forever, we need to teach and encourage them, so they can step up in the future.

Some members may need a little help, we may need to “Adopt” a member to help them through a difficult time either financial or hardship, a thoughtful way for an Auxiliary to help a fellow member is to assist in paying their dues.

The Department of Illinois is full of Bears all over the State to help any way we can.

“WE WANT YOU TO ACHIVE 100%

DEPARTMENT AWARDS

For Individuals

Sweeten the Honey Pot

New and/or rejoined members recruited from July 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 and are received by Department Membership Chairman by June 5^th, 2021 on the official form will receive the following based on members recruited:

5 New/Rejoined members will receive $20.00

10 New/Rejoined members will receive $50.00

15 New/Rejoined members will receive $75.00

20 Plus New/Rejoined members will receive $100.00

For Auxiliaries

The Picnic Basket

Percentages below must include at least one (1) annual continuous, new, or rejoined member

An Award of $10.00 to Auxiliary 75% in Membership by July 31,2020
An Award of $15.00 to Auxiliary 85% in Membership by September 30, 2020
An Award of $25.00 to Auxiliary 100% plus in Membership by December 31,2020
A Citation to each Auxiliary reaching 100% in membership by May 31, 2021

For Districts

The Bear Hug Award

An award of $100. Will be shared by all Districts who Reach 65% in membership by July 31,2020
An Award of $200. Will be shared by all Districts who reach 75% in membership by September 30, 2020
An Award of $300. Will be shared by all Districts who reached 95% in membership by December 31, 2020
An Award to each District President who attains 100% plus in Membership by May 31, 2021 with a special award to be presented at District President’s “Celebration”

It is the Bear Necessities the simple Bear Necessities that is what we do for our Veterans.

Sweeten the Honey Pot

Resources

We have provided a place here for you to download all of the information that we distribute to you through our Program Book and Bi-Monthly Chairmen’s Bulletins. You will need Adobe Reader, it is a Free program and can be downloaded here Get Adobe

2020-2021 Department Membership Program

2020-2021 Department Membership Report (Click here for Online Report)

MEMBERSHIP RECREUITING FORM 2020-2021

2020-2021 National Membership Program

2020-2021 National Membership Ambassador