Add a little sizzle to your summer recruitment efforts by participating in Sons of Norway’s Summer Sizzle!  From
June 1 – August 31, 2008, for every three qualifying members you recruit, you’ll receive a rosemalt coffee mug.  Recruit 12 members and we’ll throw in a pound of gourmet coffee to go in your mugs!

Summer usually marks a slower time for our lodges, but that doesn’t mean that new member recruitment needs to slow down, too!  Consider some of these ideas to kick-start summer member drives:

• Throw a Midsommer celebration and invite family, friends and the community!  An event is a great way to showcase the fun we have celebrating our heritage and culture.  Make sure there’s a member on hand dedicated to answering any questions about membership and inviting non-members to join.
• Have a picnic!  We Norwegians love to eat.  Why not throw a membership picnic instead of the typical dinner or breakfast?  Throw in a couple games or activities to make it a festive atmosphere. 
• Get involved.  Many communities have a plethora of events, like parades and festivals.  Involve your lodge somehow (food booth, volunteers, activity sponsors, etc) and have those applications at the ready.
• Remember – the most effective way to get someone to join Sons of Norway is simply to ask them to join, so don’t be shy.  Have an application on hand for at the pool, in the park, or sitting on the porch with some non-member friends.

Don’t forget, Sons of Norway has tons of tools for you to use to get the word out about your lodge.  You can order posters, marketing brochures, membership benefits booklets, and, of course, more applications, from the Supply Department (supply@sofn.com or 800.945.8851x645).  For brainstorming and assistance or to receive the monthly recruitment and retention emails, you can also contact the Membership Coordinator (nneuman@sofn.com or 800.945.8851x697).

Need even more incentive to recruit?  Each dues-paying member you recruit still qualifies you for the Norwegian Experience 2008 contest!

• Recruiters must be current members of Sons of Norway, excepting Sons of Norway Headquarters staff, Financial Benefits Counselors and International Board members
• New members must be dues-paying members, which includes spousal members, some Unge Venner members, and former members who have been lapsed for over two years.
• To qualify for entry, completed membership applications for new members, with the recruiter’s member number indicated, must be received at Sons of Norway Headquarters by August 31, 2008. On-line applications count as well. Remind members to provide their member number to the applicant for inclusion on the on-line form.