Utilize an "Adopt a Shop" Program to Boost YOUR Membership

Strength in numbers coupled with good communication can devastate the mightiest foe. But what if you lack the troops? The secret of a successful grass roots organization is the ability to mobilize the troops quickly and effectively. It's time to recruit, my friend, and the Adopt-A-Shop Program is the hot ticket for you.

Adopt-A-Shop is communication in its purest form. Simply put, it is keeping in touch with shops and hangouts throughout the local motorcycle community. The members you have now will take your information and place it within grasp of your target demographic. Just like marketing, if you want motorcyclists to see your info, your info needs to be where motorcyclists can find it.

Your members need to drop off materials in EVERY motorcycle shop and Biker hangout in your area. Complete saturation with no exceptions. If motorcycle riders frequent the place, your information needs to be there. If a guy goes out for a ride on Saturday afternoon, he better come across your organization's materials at every stop, everywhere he goes.

However, a word to the wise, ASK the MANAGER or OWNER of an establishment if it's OK to place your materials in their shop. Don't ask an acquaintance or the parts guy, ask the Manager. You can never assume that a shop really wants your info taking up precious counter space. Some shops get weird with groups leaving things behind. They may say "yes" to your face, but if you go back in two hours you might find your news flash crumpled in the circular file. Sometimes, larger corporate style shops have a policy to avoid items which might be deemed controversial, and politics can always be construed as such. Bottom line, it's always best to ask first.

Ask your group for volunteers and take advantage of existing relationships. If Joe spends half his life at the local Harley dealer, that's a no brainer. If Susie lives near the Honda dealer, and has a good rapport with the staff, that should be her shop. Print your Adopt-A-Shop members name in your monthly newsletter and acknowledge their contribution at monthly meetings. This is a sure fire tactic to help people get involved and develop a sense of ownership within their Local. As Martha would say "it's a good thing".

So, now you've got your Adopt-A-Shop crew lined up and you've circled target locations on the map. The following guidelines will give you ideas on what printed materials to distribute.

1. Contact the State Office and make arrangements to have a box of Bailing Wires delivered to a Local Officer. You'll get it a few days before anyone else, so make sure your OWN members aren't "borrowing" them from the shops then receiving another issue in the mail a few days later. There are only so many copies printed per month. Divide them up by the number of shops in your area and adjust the monthly drop as needed.

2. Your Local Newsletter is the number one recruitment tool you have. Sent to a member's home, it's the ONE thing that each member gets whether they attend meetings or not. If local shops have it, your reach is effectively doubled. If you don't produce a Local Newsletter, you should. It doesn't have to be pretty. It doesn't have to be gigantic. It just needs to have INFO. What time you meet, when you guys ride, what's going on locally and statewide. The important thing is to get info into people's hot little hands. Communication with the riding community is the number one priority for any Local. If you put out good info...intriguing info that people had no idea about, their curiosity will bring them to you. They can't come see you if you don't invite them.

3. Adopt-A-Shop is also your opportunity to distribute Run Flyers to help promote your rides and more importantly, those of fellow Locals. To develop a lasting relationship with a nearby Local ensures survival and growth of the entire organization.

4. Dispersing Safe Riding Information at each shop means that we "walk the walk". The "E" in ABATE stands for Education. ABATE's ASAP program has begun to develop materials and it's website www.abatesafetyandawarenessprogram.org is coming along nicely.

Take advantage of your Adopt-A-Shop crew being out on the town. Have them pick up run flyers from other groups to keep your membership up to date on local happenings. Your Adopt-A-Shop crew can also collect prizes if you do a 50/50 raffle at monthly meetings. Most businesses are always looking for free advertising. Most times they have promotional items like t-shirts, hats, etc. and are willing to donate these things in exchange for a free mention. Most times, all you need to do is ask. Have them attach a business card to EACH item donated, to show them your willingness to help promote their business. Who knows, they just might become an ABATE Business Member.

The materials you distribute should make it clear that non-members are especially welcome. Once invited, you need to be prepared. When new folks stop by your meeting, be sure to shake their hand and make them feel welcome. When people feel a part of something, they're more inclined to participate. Keep your meetings informative and not too long. The Adopt-A-Shop program is one more innovative step to developing a sense of community and finding the new members that will carry us through to new victories for Rider's Rights. This is the key to any effective Grass Roots organization, and in no time, the ability to mobilize the new troops you have cultivated will be yours!