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Motivating your members

Ways to get your group riled up

It's the start of a new season and your organization keeps striking out. Fund-raisers are lackluster and event turnout is poor. Are your players down for the count? If club members seem bored and restless, don't throw in the towel yet. We're pitching some ideas to rejuvenate your teammates and get everybody back in the game.

Start in the locker room!

If you want players to get out on the field and perform, build a solid foundation behind the scenes.

Develop team-building exercises to enhance problem-solving skills and encourage cohesive thinking. These games can be indoors or out, with survival or escape scenarios that require participation from every member.

Have an open-door policy. Members should know that you're receptive to their suggestions and feedback. Be accessible. People are less likely to be productive if they feel frustrated or cut off from the chain of command.

Create a "Wall of Fame" by snapping photos of members. Hang the pictures in the office and include a brief bio that highlights important characteristics of each person. Finding out someone’s hobby or favorite food will help you associate a name with a face. Circulate a calendar to keep track of birthdays and be sure to send cyber salutations or a card signed by the entire group. Personal touches like these will make students feel valued.

Each member has the potential to make worthwhile contributions.

Schedule office hours for one-on-one conferences so you can offer helpful advice or listen to feedback. During these meetings, discuss current projects field any questions, and make time for some personal chit-chat.

Nip conflict in the bud. As the group leader, it’s your responsibility to medicate arguments between teammates. Don’t let problems escalate to the point that the whole group is affected . Pull grumbles aside, determine the source of debate, and develop a resolution.

Promote socializing between members. One of the reasons collegians join campus groups is to interact with other students. If people feel connected emotionally, they’ll strive to make the club a success. Often, players put in long hours that can be more enjoyable by working with friends. If you want to keep teammates invigorated, make sure activities are productive and fun. Also, plan group excursions such as white water rafting hiking, and canoeing trips. Host an informal barbecue, of get together to watch a favorite TV show.

Write a mission statement that clearly states the organization’s goals. Frame the finished product and hang it in the office, or print it on meeting agendas. This will inspire members by reminding them of the group’s primary purpose.

Prove to teammates that getting involved can pay off-literally. Launch a scholarship drive, push to pay officers and key players, or ask the advisor to write recommendation letters strictly for involved students.

Let everybody step in to the plate

Each member has the potential to make worthwhile contributions. Value all suggestions and ideas. Don’t immediately dismiss a game plan just because you weren’t the one to design the plays.

Hold brainstorming sessions to get PR and programming ideas. Spin projects off of individuals talents and backgrounds. If Gretehen loves to Salsa dance, she can give lessons to students as a way to raise money. Is Sara outgoing? Send her to pass out flyers on campus, and she can mingle with the campus community. Jake can use his technical know-how to create a great web site.

Delegate responsibility. You can accomplish more with five people working on a task instead of just one. Once you’ve divided the work, don’t micromanage. Trust your team and allow them to take ownership over their work. Go to topten.org/Content/tt. AE17.htm.

Create an evaluation of your performance and distribute it to the group. Ask questions about your leadership style and generate discus on ways you can improve.

Put up a suggestion box in the office. Even if you have an open-door policy, some members may not feel comfortable offering feedback face-to-face.

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Activities Citizen Scholar Clubs and organizations Mission statement SGA Sports and recreation Student development Summer Leadership Retreat Bob Bade associate dean of student activities and engagement B-238 WC 727-816-3356 badeb at phcc dot edu Sandre Lyons coordinator of student activities A-113 NC 352-797-5014 lyonss at phcc dot edu Jessica White coordinator of student activities A-161 EC 352-518-1224 whitej at phcc dot edu Please direct updates for and questions and comments about this page to the webmaster.	Home >> Students >> Student activities >> Student leader resources >> Motivating your members Motivating your members Ways to get your group riled up It's the start of a new season and your organization keeps striking out. Fund-raisers are lackluster and event turnout is poor. Are your players down for the count? If club members seem bored and restless, don't throw in the towel yet. We're pitching some ideas to rejuvenate your teammates and get everybody back in the game. Start in the locker room! If you want players to get out on the field and perform, build a solid foundation behind the scenes. Develop team-building exercises to enhance problem-solving skills and encourage cohesive thinking. These games can be indoors or out, with survival or escape scenarios that require participation from every member. Have an open-door policy. Members should know that you're receptive to their suggestions and feedback. Be accessible. People are less likely to be productive if they feel frustrated or cut off from the chain of command. Create a "Wall of Fame" by snapping photos of members. Hang the pictures in the office and include a brief bio that highlights important characteristics of each person. Finding out someone’s hobby or favorite food will help you associate a name with a face. Circulate a calendar to keep track of birthdays and be sure to send cyber salutations or a card signed by the entire group. Personal touches like these will make students feel valued. Each member has the potential to make worthwhile contributions. Schedule office hours for one-on-one conferences so you can offer helpful advice or listen to feedback. During these meetings, discuss current projects field any questions, and make time for some personal chit-chat. Nip conflict in the bud. As the group leader, it’s your responsibility to medicate arguments between teammates. Don’t let problems escalate to the point that the whole group is affected . Pull grumbles aside, determine the source of debate, and develop a resolution. Promote socializing between members. One of the reasons collegians join campus groups is to interact with other students. If people feel connected emotionally, they’ll strive to make the club a success. Often, players put in long hours that can be more enjoyable by working with friends. If you want to keep teammates invigorated, make sure activities are productive and fun. Also, plan group excursions such as white water rafting hiking, and canoeing trips. Host an informal barbecue, of get together to watch a favorite TV show. Write a mission statement that clearly states the organization’s goals. Frame the finished product and hang it in the office, or print it on meeting agendas. This will inspire members by reminding them of the group’s primary purpose. Prove to teammates that getting involved can pay off-literally. Launch a scholarship drive, push to pay officers and key players, or ask the advisor to write recommendation letters strictly for involved students. Let everybody step in to the plate Each member has the potential to make worthwhile contributions. Value all suggestions and ideas. Don’t immediately dismiss a game plan just because you weren’t the one to design the plays. Hold brainstorming sessions to get PR and programming ideas. Spin projects off of individuals talents and backgrounds. If Gretehen loves to Salsa dance, she can give lessons to students as a way to raise money. Is Sara outgoing? Send her to pass out flyers on campus, and she can mingle with the campus community. Jake can use his technical know-how to create a great web site. Delegate responsibility. You can accomplish more with five people working on a task instead of just one. Once you’ve divided the work, don’t micromanage. Trust your team and allow them to take ownership over their work. Go to topten.org/Content/tt. AE17.htm. Create an evaluation of your performance and distribute it to the group. Ask questions about your leadership style and generate discus on ways you can improve. Put up a suggestion box in the office. Even if you have an open-door policy, some members may not feel comfortable offering feedback face-to-face. back to top