How to Attract New Members to Your Chapter
So you have a Red Hatting Chapter (Group) but you would like to get new members in (or you’re just starting a group and need members)? Here’s some tips that might help you.
Bring a friend – Allowing members to bring a friend who might be interested can be a good way to introduce potential members to your group. You may like to organize an outing to a coffee shop or somewhere similar as this first meeting point. If you are just starting out and don’t have chapter members yet – don’t forget to ask your friends, family and neighbors!
Trade Cards -You can buy inexpensive business cards at places like Vistaprint. Keep these in your handbag to hand out whenever you talk about the RHS so that ladies can contact you later.
Hang up Posters – Hang posters or put out flyers in your local area, advertising the RHS and your chapter. Try places like libraries, hairdressers, community centres, doctor’s waiting rooms, supermarkets, etc. (You may want to ask for permission to hang up posters).
Get Out in Your Colors – A lot of hatters find out about the RHS by seeing ladies out and about in their purple and red. Make sure you have business cards on you, and go strutt your stuff! If anyone mentions your outfit, start up a conversation about the Society.
List Your Chapter – Make sure your chapter info is listed on the Chapter Listing on this website to help ladies who are looking for groups, to be able to find you.
Banners – If you have a chapter, don’t forget your banner if you are out somewhere, where you can display it. If you don’t have one yet – that could be a great crafty day where you get together to make one!
Volunteer – See if you can volunteer to go do a craft activity session at your local community centre, age care facility or somewhere similar. Not only is this giving something back to the community, but it can introduce the Society to the ladies there.
Local Paper – if your area has a local community newspaper, contact them and see if they will run an article for you, or if you can advertise your group in there. If you have an existing chapter then the paper might be able to do an article on one of your outings, showing photos of you all dressed up. This will give the paper something nice to report on, and can help advertise the Society to women who might not have heard of it.
Don’t Forget the Pinkies! – A lot of women have commented that they have waited until they were 50 years old to join. Some of these women wanted to join as a Red Hatter but waited until 50 years of age. A lot of ladies have not been aware that they could join earlier, as they had only heard about the Red Hatter being over 50 years of age and not heard of the “Pink Hatters”. So while you are promoting your chapter, please don’t forget to let ladies know that women under 50 years of age are welcome too! (It is the same Society not a separate one for the Pinkies). Pink Hatters can do all the things the Red Hatters do, they just wear Lavender/Pink until they reach 50 years of age.
Got any other suggestions? Feel free to let us know.
