What encouragement means
Not to be confused with “praise”, encouragement is described as “the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope”, which is vital to the development of any team. Members of associations will look to their leadership group for help within their industry, which is why it is so important for the Board to always offer a line of support to them.
Why encouragement is so important
Encouraging your members to take part in upcoming events such as training courses, meetings and online learning sessions will not only help them professionally but will help increase your association’s member retention level. The more members who become actively involved with your association, whether that be online or in person, the more sustainable it becomes.
Empathy is key to understanding what your membership wants and what you can provide to them. Ask yourself what your members hope to get from being a part of your association, and what made them join in the first place. The likelihood is that they want guidance within their industry, ongoing help, and opportunities to network with others in a similar position to themselves.
Encouraging your members to become more active within your association and industry will help them to develop their career with the support of other likeminded people. Regular engagement for your members is crucial to helping them progress.
Aim to play an active role within your industry to help members feel more engaged. Ensure you keep your members and key stakeholders updated about your activity. Act as a role model and mentor. Encouraging both new and longstanding members to take part in opportunities you provide will help build upon your association.
How to provide encouragement
How you provide encouragement to your members will display your ability as a leader.
Recognise achievements on a regular basis. Newsletters are a great way of celebrating exceptional efforts across your association, which can help to raise morale. Sharing achievements with others can not only be a great means of inspiration, but a way to encourage members to stand back and recognise their own achievements.
Mentorship programmes are a beneficial way of giving back to both experienced and new members of your association. Many people may not think about the option of searching for a mentor or may not know where to go about finding one. Creating a scheme within your association gives your membership the tools to step outside their comfort zone and contribute towards the growth of your industry. Members can be given the opportunity to either take on a mentee or learn from one of their more experienced peers. Either side is considered as a valuable step in continuing professional development.
What steps can you take to encourage your members? If you’re not sure how to start encouraging your members, view our useful Do’s & Don’ts of Communication with your Members.
