2012 Membership strategy consultation

Introduction

This page is created to collate contributions from interested parties about what Wikimedia UK should consider including in a membership strategy. This is a strategy as opposed to a plan - it is looking at what the aims for developing and sustaining membership growth (in numbers) and development (in terms of a 'skills base' or engaged group) should be as tied to the growth and development of a chapter overall. I've included some key areas that I think need to be considered - please feel free to add others, as many contributors with have the benefit of experience from involvement in the movement and our chapter over several years to bring to the table! Katherine Bavage (WMUK) (talk) 09:16, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Should have clarified - I'm instigating this as, despite my role being primarily about Fundraising, this falls under my remit 'Develop Wikimedia UK’s membership activities and membership communications.' - see Fundraiser_job_description - I'll be working with the Office and Development Manager (who administers membership records) and the Comms Organiser (who oversees WMUK's overall communications strategy) on how we go about delivering improvements. Katherine Bavage (WMUK) (talk) 09:35, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Recruitment

Relevant section of the draft Five Year Plan

Broadly speaking, the obvious intent is that membership numbers grow considerably from current numbers (approximately 250). This will present challenges as well as opportunities:

• More administrative time maintaining records and dues
• Communicating well and regularly with members to ensure that it is not just a core of the most active that speak for the majority
• Ensuring that even the least engaged are empowered to contribute on some level
• Increased numbers will lead to a broadening of our base
• A more diverse set of concerns for the Chapter to satistfy.

The suggestions about regional groups are great, and I think would be a strong platform for having a greater reach in areas where we are under-represented and therefore potentially leading to WMUK having broader influence and recruiting more editors.

What sort of recruitment strategies would best meet these challenges, and promote strong regional participation? Should we have regional membership volunteers as a first point of contact, who liaise with the Board or staff on recruitment - ordering resources, helping update membership records, and coordinating events? We may need to create a dedicated place for members to work together online - i.e. a members wiki - could this be considered a benefit? Katherine Bavage (WMUK) (talk) 09:30, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

Communications

I hope, and would prefer, that the suggestions for how members want to hear from WMUK and what about come organically from the results of a members' survey - but we have to consider what those methods of communicating are in place to achieve strategically. I would suggest at least the following:

• Retention of current members
• Recruitment of new members
• Providing a forum to raise concerns and ideas that pertain particularly to members' roles
• Keeping members informed about the work of the Chapter and the Board
• Getting members more involved/informed in policy making reviews
• Getting members more involved in supporting the board and staff to deliver WMUK's programme through participating in advisory groups, giving oversight and advice
• Getting members more involved/engaged with governance, and particularly candidacy for the Board and scrutiny of Board business.

These diverse aims can't all be met with one type of communication - a range of options can be considered, including perhaps e-newsletters, SMS updates, a members wiki or forum, a members hard copy magazine or publication. More suggestions please! Katherine Bavage (WMUK) (talk) 09:42, 11 October 2012 (UTC)