Despite economic downturn, school leaders know the value of ACSA benefits.

ACSA’s Member Services Department has been working hard to mitigate the effects on membership of a bad budget.

“Despite a very unhealthy economy, our retention rates remain strong and hold steady,” said Joseph Jones, assistant executive director of Member Services and Professional Standards. “Our data shows that about 83 percent of new members who signed on last school year with an introductory offer are still active today.”

Indeed, of the 785 such new members, 655 decided to retain their membership in ACSA, an impressive figure considering the times. Member Services attributes the strong recruitment and continued retention to customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Results from new member surveys say that members are concerned about the litigious environment and note their initial reason for joining is the free $1 million liability coverage that ACSA provides.

“However, as the year progresses and they receive more literature and information about member benefits, they recognize that ACSA provides some of the best resources, starting with a collection of professional development offerings that address the needs of today’s administrator, who in order to stay employed, must be successful in an era of standards and accountability,” Jones said. “Not to mention that ACSA is the only organization that collectively represents the entire management team.”

Why is all of this important? Because the size of the organization can impact services to members.

“Put simply, the more members we have, the better able we are to provide for our members,” Jones said. “Strong numbers and our ability to maintain our unique umbrella structure makes ACSA a ‘bigger fish,’ which allows the organization to better advocate against harmful legislation and fight lawsuits that we may not otherwise have the power to do.”

In contrast, overall termination rates are also expected to rise. In an effort to offset the anticipated decline, Member Services has worked feverishly to publicize the value of membership and continues to aggressively recruit across the board.

There is also a stronger emphasis on capturing the new and younger administrator, who researchers say are less likely to join out of professional duty.

Currently, plans to engage this group include a pilot program with Loyola-Marymount University, where ACSA dues are combined with university registration fees. So far the partnership has netted 30 percent of those students registered for the fall semester cohort.

Plans to work with other universities are being explored.

Regions can also expect to receive more resources with local recruitment efforts in the form of provided advertisements and copy for their region newsletters, updated supplies of membership materials, along with regular reminders about recruitment tips and best practices and, when possible, a list of potential members.

Member Services will also provide each region a membership event kit. The “Social in a Box” will include all necessary membership marketing materials and applications, talking points, a guide on event planning, an ACSA table drape, brochure stands, and other items to ensure solid event preparation.

For more information about this article, please contact Margarita Magliocco, manager of Member Services marketing and promotions, at mmagliocco@acsa.org or by calling (800) 608-ACSA.

Upcoming Region Membership Events

Region 4

Region 4 invites all administrators, classified managers and confidential employees from Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties to attend its Membership Reception at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno on Saturday, May 2 at 4 p.m. All Region 4 ACSA members as well as newly joined ACSA members will receive a $100 reimbursement for attending the North State Spring Conference. Plus join the celebration at the R-4 Membership Reception. Please contact Cheryl Lynn de Werff at cdewerff@solanocoe.net for more information.

Region 6

ACSA and the Richmond Association of School Administrators are sponsoring a recognition dinner on May 19th at the Mira Vista Country Club. All members are welcome. For more details please contact Katie Brady at kbrady@wccsd.net.