Kelly Chism, RMT managers
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When your chapter is planning for growth, SAI offers a great tool called the
MEMBERS COUNT! TOOLKIT.
(available as PDF download on this link http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/resources.cfm)

Here's are some excerpts of questions to ask your team when planning for growth and retention.
WHERE ARE WE TODAY?
Questions to consider should include:
1. At what level is the musical product we offer?
Remember, we want to attract singers, and singers come to those who have a product they cannot wait to buy.

2. How strong is the administration of the chapter?
The musical product is often a direct by-product of administration.The music program needs administrative strength and leadership to enable it to move forward.

3. Is the director willing and able to be a major contributor to the membership program?
The director’s enthusiastic involvement, support, and willingness to cooperate are vital to the overall success of the program.

4. How is the health of the chapter?
Are the interpersonal relations among the members positive and loving, or does irrelevant bickering creep into chorus life? Do the administrative and musical leaders communicate together regularly and effectively? Many times we fool ourselves into thinking that if we just had more members these issues would be solved. Larger numbers mean that even more attention must be paid to good communication.Work on any issues at hand before inviting new members into the chorus .Remember, they will learn by the way they see you treating others.

5. Can the budget accommodate growth?
If the budget is set for the year and there are no funds for the program,it is better to continue with the planning stage and submit the membership budget for consideration the following year. Keep in mind potential expenses like advertising and public relations , additional risers, costumes , rehearsal space, music, etc.

6. Do we all really want to grow? Why? If so, how much?
Each member in the chorus needs to understand and be committed to the advantages of having more members. Each member needs to enthusiastically participate in her assignments related to the program.


WHERE DO WE WANT TO GROW?
1. What changes can we anticipate as we grow?

2. What changes can we anticipate if we decide we don’t want to be a larger chorus?

3. What will the chorus need to do to maintain its present numbers?
Even choruses that want to stay the same size need to recruit new members due to attrition.

4. How can we prepare for the changes?
By the time the session is finished, you will be well on your way to defining (or redefining) who you are as a chorus, and where you’re headed. Put these concepts into words as succinctly and clearly as you can, in order to use them as guiding principles in all chorus planning.

You may have a new set of chorus goals as a result of your dreaming.You will have numbers in mind as a membership goal. Surely you will have discussed musical goals as well. Perhaps finances have entered into the discussion,and you see the need for a financial plan. Be mindful that everything the chorus does affects your membership goal. Make sure it is clearly defined.


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