Membership participation key to DAV success.

As the old saying goes, "All politics is local." For any idea to take hold at the national level, an enormous amount of effort must be exerted in towns, counties, cities, and states across the country.

With this in mind, the DAV National Membership Department remains focused on increasing individual member participation. Even as the DAV pushes its way toward the 1-million life member mark, the active participation of members at the Chapter level is more important than ever.

"We believe in the idea of membership strength for service, but the DAV must bolster this strength in numbers with active participation at the local level," said National Membership Director Michael J. Walsh. "With increased membership we must renew our focus on Chapter activity."

The DAV's intense focus on grassroots support of veterans' issues requires that Departments and Chapters keep individual members informed, motivated, and active. Voluntary service in VA hospitals, fetter-writing and phone campaigns, and the DAV Commander's Action Network allow individual members to chart the course and ensure the future of the organization.

"Individual responsibility strengthens the judgment and ability of the individual member," said Mr. Walsh.

Having evaluated the most successful and active DAV Chapters, the National Membership Department has found several common traits that may be put to use by those Chapters searching for ways to boost member activity. These suggestions include:

* Keep individual members up to date with the latest issues affecting veterans and encourage organized campaigns to spread this information

* Know your members' strengths (public speaking, organization skills, etc.) and put them to use for the DAV

* Inform and align members in achieving the goals of a Chapter

* Contact new members and invite them to participate

* Find out what motivates members to succeed (recognition, plaques, social events)

* Be aware of the DAV's image and enhance it in the local community

* Know the local community, including city and local government officials, civic leaders, and members of other veterans service organizations

* Keep close contacts with local media and invite them to Chapter functions

"It's important to keep in mind that not every idea will work every tinge it is used," said Assistant National Membership Director Andre D. Smith. Chapters should keep searching for a winning combination while remembering the old proverb, "Fall seven times, stand up eight." For more information on increasing participation at the Chapter level, check out DAV Membership seminars online at www.dav.org, or call toll free 877-426-2838, ext. 2060.