Resolve to make a difference in 2007: by Carol Reimers, LWVUS board membership/League development chair.

I'm going to exercise 30 minutes a day. This is my New Year's resolution--one of them anyhow. It is, as you may know from personal experience, a challenge. It requires physical and emotional stamina, commitment and follow-through, but the pay-off--namely improving my health and general well-being--is worth it.

But, this is not my only resolution for this year. Actually, I've made another one--one that requires the same degree of commitment and follow-through, and yields equally important rewards. I've resolved to personally bring new members into the League in 2007 and I invite you to do the same.

As you may know, the League is currently in the middle of a year-long pilot project to study membership recruitment messages and methods. The LWVUS is working with a handful of Leagues across the country to identify some best practices that can be implemented League-wide. While we do not know the outcomes of this pilot phase, we do know that no "marketing message" is more powerful than your personal testimonial about the League and the most effective recruitment technique is to simply, personally, invite someone to join.

My service to the League--as a national leader--is important and something that I cherish. However, my commitment to membership is personal. I have been committed to the League and its mission for many years, and I want to ensure the organization's future. I know the League has a unique role in our communities and states, and in our nation. We are as important today as we've ever been because we are effective, trusted and thoughtful.

As individual members, we all know that the League of Women Voters is the organization where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. You may have even seen that recent national polls rate us as one of the most trusted organizations in the country. From your own connection to the LWV, you know that our efforts are making an impact at the national, state and local levels. You may be saying, "Isn't that enough? Shouldn't the League's reputation speak for itself?"

The answer is yes and no. Our efforts do make communities safe, strong, vibrant and fair. But, if you are like most League members, you joined the League because of the people--the grassroots members who do the work that leads to the impact. The overwhelming majority of League members joined because of one member--the one who asked you to join, the one you observed making a difference through the League.

That is how I came to the League. I was invited to a League informational coffee. Now I am resolved to take every opportunity to extend the same invitation of membership to friends, family and neighbors. Supporting the League benefits me and my community, and the most critical part of that support is introducing the benefits of League membership to the individuals around me.

I encourage you to remind people that you meet about how the League is safeguarding democracy; how we are working to improve our communities; and how we impact national, state and local issues that are of concern to them. Share your story of how you joined and talk about the wonderful opportunities that your membership has afforded you. Expand your support for the League by being a "membership ambassador."

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So, choose a resolution this year that makes a difference in your life and in the lives of others in your community: share your true passion for the League with others, and ask them to join. Your personal testimony has the ability to convince someone to make a difference--just as you have.

As for my other resolution, I am off to the gym now. Wish me luck! I have a feeling that the person at the treadmill next to mine might well be the newest member of my League.

RELATED ARTICLE: Tips For Recruiting Members

1. Make a connection: Tell your personal story about what League means to you.

2. Ask: Be sure that your conversation about League includes an invitation to join the LWV. Don't assume that it is implied.

3. Make it easy: Have a membership brochure or other League information (such as your League's Web site address) available. Or, simply direct them to www.lwv.org to join.