I have been on the Membership Work group on National Council now for just over a year. The main objective of the MWG is to slow down the level of membership decline across the association as it has been running at around 5% since the start of the pandemic. I am pleased to report that from the latest membership stats the decline in numbers in our Province is just 1.1% which is the lowest across all the Provinces in GB.
Although this is still a decline, I am confident if all Circles have a plan to retain and increase membership we will stop the decline altogether and start to increase our numbers. We heard some good news from some of the Circles at the last Membership Update meeting in February and I want to thank all the MO’s for working hard to put their Circle plans in place and regularly review them.
Ensuring every Circle has a plan is key to our success so for that reason I will be holding another meeting on Saturday 14 October at the new head office in Coventry. Gill & Lorraine have once again very kindly agreed to open up the office and host our meeting. The move to the new HO will have taken place just 2 weeks before so we will be the firstgroup to have a meeting there so hopefully with the notice you can all come along and see the new office! The main thing we will be focusing on is Circle plans and strategy so if you are unable to make it, it is imperative that someone from your Circle will be present. Every Circle will need to come armed with their plan for membership, it doesn’t matter if it has just started or like some Circles it has been in place for over 3 years, it is the opportunity to support each other, review existing plans and find out what is working well in the Circles that are regularly attracting visiting gentlemen. The objective is for us all to go away in a very positive frame of mind with plans that will help every Circle. It is so important that we support each other because that way we become a much tighter close-knit Province with membership at the fore-front of everything we do!
So please put 14 October 2023 in your diaries and let’s look forward to a very positive meeting again.
Following a very successful Membership Update meeting on 18 February at Head Office Coventry, we all agreed that we would like a follow up to keep the impetus going.
Gill and Lorraine have kindly offered to open up the office again on Saturday 1st July 2023 and once again provide refreshments throughout the day.
Please put this date in your diary, if you are unable to make this date please ensure your Circle is represented by another member. The main subject for discussion with be Circle membership plans for recruitment and retention.
Sutton Coldfield Circle held its April meeting at Moor Hall Hotel Sutton Coldfield on Monday April 17th and welcomed three new brothers into the Association and the circle . Tony Mc Daid who is CEO and Director of Clerking for a Barristers Chambers , Silvano Bisconti a Senior Financial Director and Mark Anson who is an Engineering Machine Sales Manager. The meeting was the occasion of the Circle’s AGM, installation of new officers and newly elected President Brother Peter Westbrook’s first task was to enrol the new brothers . All three brothers after their enrolment expressed individually during the meeting how pleased they were to join and looked forward to undertake an active involvement in the circle and the wider Association. Also present at the meeting was Provincial Membership Officer and Provincial Director elect Brother David Prescott of Kenilworth Circle who congratulated the three new brothers and also the circle on its recruitment efforts. Pictured left to right are Brother President Peter Westbrook, Brother Silvano Bisconti, Provincial Membership Officer David Prescott., Brother Mark Anson and Brother Tony McDaid
I look forward to welcoming all Province 6 Circle Membership Officers to a membership update meeting at the Catenian Head Office in Coventry. The date will be Saturday 18 February 2023 and the timing would typically be 10.30 to 3.00pm. Refreshments and light lunch would be provided.
We will have a few people speaking on membership matters and there will be a chance for each Circle to update Province on their plans. This is the opportunity for Circles to request how can Province help your Circle or your membership team achieve its objectives.
A good number of Circles are recruiting new members and/or have an increasing numbers of visiting gentlemen so we can all learn a lot from these Circles.
If the Circle Membership Officer is unable to make this meeting please ensure your Circle is represented by inviting another member as it is very important that all 22 Circles are able to attend.
We look forward to a fruitful meeting and for the Province to continue to grow.
On Wednesday 30 March 2022 there will be an on-line meeting of Circle Membership Officers for Province 6.
I will send an agenda and zoom link a little nearer the date but we will be discussing the way forward for our Province, the membership data from Head Office, ways in which the Province can support your Circle and looking at the recent marketing and membership successes of Circles and also the challenges some Circles face.
I am really encouraged by the number of visiting gentlemen emerging at many of our Circles in the last 4 or 5 months and truly believe that if we have a solid plan to recruit and retain we will increase our numbers.
There are no Circles are meeting on that evening and hopefully with the notice I am giving, all Circle Membership Officers will be able to join. It is really important that all Circles contribute so if you cannot make it please let me know and/or find another brother in the Circle who can join the meeting.
I look forward to seeing you all (virtually) on 30 March.
Wishing all Newslink readers a Holy and Happy Christmas 2021.
A big thanks once again to Bro Harold and all the Newslink team for another great edition. Please keep in mind any interesting events for potential articles for the Spring edition.
Thanks also to all those brothers and ladies who placed Christmas greetings in the Winter edition – it is much appreciated.
