Lapsed Members and Five-Wednesday Months

29 Sep Lapsed Members and Five-Wednesday Months

Are you keeping track of your lapsed members? This is one of those five-Wednesday months I referred to in April (See Renewing Lapsed Members). And that means it’s a good time to review where you are with your 2015 renewals.

Looking back on all the individuals who gave you money in 2014, run a check on who you haven’t yet heard from in 2015. (Note the difference between a lapsed member from whom you haven’t yet heard and a lapsed member who has actually said “Sorry, not this year.”)

Fundraiser’s Almanac: September

• Handwritten Letters
• Getting the Most from Your Fundraising Events
• Good News
• Filing/Data Entry
• Lapsed Member Letters

Fundraiser’s Almanac – October

• Donor Appreciation Events
• Taking Stock
• Fall Appeal 1st Drop
• First Take – Fundraising Planning for 2016

So what have you tried already? How has your response been?

In April, I suggested hosting an open house with board members calling to invite lapsed members. I also suggested:

• A special field trip,
• A challenge grant,
• A T-shirt or hat premium, or
• [Insert your idea here].

In July, I shared an Audubon lapsed member letter that got a particularly good response. (See Lapsed Members Letters.)

If nothing else, try asking your board members to make phone calls to lapsed members, and make a few calls yourself, too. Provide everyone with a script, such as this one I just posted to my Resources Page – Phone Script for Contacting Lapsed Members/Donors.

By the way, there’s another five-Wednesday month coming in December – a last chance to renew members in 2015. What can you set up NOW to take advantage of that opportunity?

Cheers,

-da

Photo credit: Mount Chapin, Colorado by Walt Kaesler.

Learn about how David can help you with your membership fundraising here.