Top Down Recruiting

We spend a great deal of time getting in front of the young Defenders in both the active duty and reserve squadrons telling them about how we're their professional organization, they're special - and all the other talking points. Then we turn around and poll the flight chiefs, managers, investigators, training supervisors and squadron leadership and find that very few are AFSFA members. I'm thinking our recruiting focus is upside down. It's hard to get junior to pop for membership when the NCOs and officers aren't members. Leading by example should perhaps be our approach. Wouldn't it be great at a Commanders Call to ask for a show of hands of all AFSFA members and everyone TSgt and above raises their hand. Any thoughts on how to make that happen?

I'm new to the AFSFA but have been recruiting hard so I can start up a chapter in my area. (It's going very well, but could be better. I didn't realize it was so much work!) The chapter request will be coming into the AFSFA HQ soon. I agree that to get the junior enlisted to join, the senior enlisted as well as the officers, should be members. I have spoken with our unit leaders and have their full support. I also have our XO and SF Manager as members which leaves 2 left to join, the CC and the OPS Superintendent. Thankfully I have a good range of ranks as members already. Though we haven't even had our first meeting (so I can't speak on what does or doesn't work) I worry that the younger troops will think that they won't have a voice or a say once they join. I have to insure them that rank has no place in the chapter and that everyone is equal. After my first "group" recruiting attempt with our unit, I was speaking with our SF administration assistant. She said the presentation was delivered very well, but I forgot to tell them WHY it is important for them to join. She pointed out that we are a in a professional career field and professionals are expected to be in associations to promote their careers and their businesses. Needless to say, I immediately added that to my presentation. I'm hoping that the next attempt lands more recruits! - Mike Skoog L'Étoile du Nord Chapter (Soon to be!)

Mr. Probst, I'm glad you mentioned the new recruits because I have the benefit of working shift every drill weekend, so I have been making it a point to talk to the new SF recruits before they go to Basic and Tech school. I let them know a little about the association and they get to know my name and face. I let them know that you will be talking to them after they graduate and will have a chance to join at that time. I'm hoping that this will help them choose to join when they know that they have a chapter waiting for them when they return. PLUS I'm hoping that they will get more out of your presentation knowing that it is relevant back here. - Mike