AMERICAN GOURD SOCIETY PO BOX 2186 KOKOMO, IN 46904
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Recruitment and Retention

ACTION PLAN #1: RECRUITMENT
Resouce below lists key steps to create a clear, effective action plan for growing your chapter’s membership.
The plan identifies how to attract new members and measure the progress the chapter is making along the way.

1. Define the ideal member
2. Outreach (adult-focused)
3. Evaluate, Adjust and Improve

Recruitment Action Plan outline

ACTION PLAN #2 - RETENTION
Listed are key steps to create a clear, effective action plan for keeping your chapter’s membership. The plan will identify how to keep current members engaged and measure the progress the chapter is making along the way.

1. Create a Welcome Packet (adult-focused)
2. Engagement and Retention For ALL Members:
Active Participation and Growth Opportunities
 
3. Evaluate, Adjust and Improve

Retention Action Plan outline

BASIC LOW-COST MARKETING CHECKLIST
1. Create Core Marketing Materials
2. Promote Every Event (Minimum 3–4 Weeks Ahead)

3. During the Event
4. After the Event

Checklist for Basic Low-Cost Marketing Actions

MEMBER EVENTS IN ACTION
> Strategic Planning Tips
  • Every event: Always have a membership info table with sign-up forms, brochures, and merch.
  • Incentives: Offer small giveaways for joining (an AGS tutorial or a back issue of the AGS Gourd Magazine), attending multiple events (art supply or craft ready gourd), or bringing a friend (craft ready gourds for the member and their friend).
  • Collect Emails: Raffle off a free mini gourd art kit in exchange for contact info.
> Event Ideas:
1. "Sip & Burn" Night
2. "Grow Your Own Gourd" Starter Workshop
3. "Gourd Art 101" Adult Mini-Series
4. "Artisan Gourd Market" Member Showcase
5. "Gourds & Gardens" Adult Garden Tour
6. "Holiday Gourd Crafting Night"
7. "Member Skill Share" Social

Member Events - Tips, Themes, Details, Bonus

Informational Documents

1. What is a Gourd?
2. Gourd Crafts
3. Gourd Instruments
4. Growing Gourds

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© 2025 American Gourd Society, Inc. All rights reserved. The American Gourd Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
  • Home
  • Join
    • Standard Membership-2025
    • Auto Renewal Membership
    • CA+International Membership
  • Chapters
    • Chapter Development & Support
    • Recruitment + Retention
  • Magazine
    • Quarterly Contest
    • Featured Artists
    • Back Issues
  • Calendar
  • Education
  • Gourd Growing Tutorials
    • Manipulated Gourd Tutorials
    • Sellers: Seeds, Gourds
    • Growing
    • Harvesting
  • Crafting Techniques
    • Pyrography
    • Carving
    • Crafting Resources
    • Crafting Tutorials
  • About
  • Judging
    • Competition Scoring Forms for Judges & Clerks
    • Training Apprentice & Certified Judges
    • Judges Activity Reporting Forms
    • List of Judge Instructors
  • Artistry Award
  • Jim Story Award 2026
  • History of Gourds Around the World
  • Judging