Reinvigorate Your ALA Experience Over the Holidays

Use a Personalized Touch: Reach out to new or less active members to let them know someone is there to answer their questions and guide them. As an incoming member of the International Board of Directors,  I was assigned a “board buddy.” Feeling that someone was helping me to succeed in the onboarding and through my first year on the Board was a crucial part of my journey. Therefore, remember to reach out to your “buddies,” show appreciation for their continued support and highlight the value of their participation as an ALA member. It may be through personalized emails, a phone call or a handwritten note.

Highlight Exclusive Benefits: Remind yourself and others of the exclusive benefits you enjoy as ALA members, such as special webinar pricing, the BOLD Bites newsletter and discounts on travel arrangements and software products.

Attend End-of-Year Celebrations: Chances are a chapter near you is holding an event with their chapter members (and prospective members!). Having that event at the end of the year to network, reminisce about successes and laugh over challenges is something special. These events can be a strong incentive for members to renew their membership.

Microvolunteer Opportunities: Get involved in the end-of-year chapter activities, charitable events, celebrations and other events by offering to volunteer. Plan a Christmas fundraiser to support your favorite cause, a school in need, or a family who is less fortunate. Feeling a sense of ownership and responsibility is a great way to get to know the Association and its members.

Embrace Diversity and Inclusion: Promote diversity and inclusion within the organization to ensure all members feel welcome and valued. At the only non-U.S. Board member, having that aforementioned “board buddy” almost immediately made me feel that I belong. 

ALA Membership Ambassador Program: ALA has established a mentorship program to develop a relationship with new members and provide them with an immediate peer connection, ensuring new members understand how to access and utilize ALA member benefits and ALA products and services. If you’re new to ALA, sign up to connect with a member who can provide you with that roadmap. Or if you’re a seasoned ALA veteran, connect with mentees and remind them to renew their membership and make them feel supported and an important part of the ALA community.

Use Social Media: Stay engaged with ALA headquarters and your chapter through social media platforms. By sharing relevant content, updates and success stories to keep members informed and connected.

Member Testimonials: Write up a testimonial or success stories to show how you’ve benefited from your ALA membership, then send it to [email protected]. Hearing about others’ positive experiences can motivate members to renew.

Educational Content: This is also a good time to highlight valuable educational content available to ALA members, such as webinars, Solution Series webcasts, Legal Management magazine, past conference recordings and other online courses. Emphasize how ALA supports both professional and personal development.

Respond to Member Surveys: If you receive a survey from ALA or your chapter, fill it out! Your feedback helps ALA best serve you and your professional needs.

To ensure your continued professional growth and success, take advantage of as many of the above opportunities as you can. In doing so, you can make your ALA experience — and others’ — fun and rewarding.

Count on ALA to keep you connected and provide professional development options that fit today’s multiple work access profiles. Renew by January 1, 2024, and you’ll receive one complimentary webinar of your choice! Visit alanet.org for details.