Effective Recruitment Through Tabling

“Tabling” to recruit new members includes more than just scheduling a table and putting out a sign-up sheet. To be truly effective, tabling involves careful planning and timely follow-up.

Before Recruiting

• Prior to organizing an effective recruitment campaign, your group should prepare itself:
  • Review the Recruitment Quick Tip—consider the questions included; determine how tabling fits into your overall recruitment strategy
  • From your list of selling points, develop appropriate materials for your table

• If not already delineated by your constitution, someone from your organization should be designated Recruitment Chair (or similar) to take the lead in all recruitment efforts (while keeping in mind that recruitment is the job of all members!)

• Consider time and location—where do you think you will be able to reach your target audience most effectively? During what times? Don’t forget evening students!

Schedule Your Table

• NOTE: Only recognized student organizations can participate in Welcome Week. Visit the Dept. of Student Life website at www.csuohio.edu/studentlife/welcome for an involvement form.
• Tables during  most of the rest of the year should be scheduled through Conference Services

Prepare for Tabling

• Develop a staffing schedule for members
  • Include set-up and clean-up time slots
  • At least two people should be at the table at all times
  • No one should skip class to staff a table
  • The membership chair should not have to be at the table for the entire duration of the recruitment effort
  • Avoid more than 3-4 people at a table, as they tend to talk with each other more than potential members. “Extra” members can walk around to meet students and then bring them to the table.

• Role-Play recruitment scenarios. Have members take turns answering questions from potential members until everyone is comfortable. Current members may resist role-playing, but it is truly effective at helping people become better recruiters.

• Each member should have an “elevator speech,” a 60-second summary of what the organization is all about and why students should join.

• Prepare materials for the table:
  • Sign-up sheets or interest cards for new members. Only ask for information you really need. Write neatly in the first line as an example and to help “jump start” the list.
  • Flyers/handbills promoting first meeting or event; or an events calendar
  • Brochures or other information about your organization that they can take with them
  • Scrapbook or small table display with (appropriate) photos; trophies/awards; other organization-appropriate props/visuals; a tablecloth (plastic is fine) if one is not provided—make sure table isn’t cluttered

At the Table

• Set up—Be on time and arrange your display to draw students into conversation Members staffing tables should keep their personal conversations to a minimum—keep in mind that the purpose is recruitment!
• Appearance makes a difference—students are more likely drawn to tables with students who are smiling and look friendly than those where folks are frowning or reading with their heads down. Note that wearing Greek letters can intimidate the “maybe joiners.”
• Initiate contact. A few students will walk right up to the table, many others will be more hesitant. To reach these students, stand beside or in front of the table.
• Respect other organizations and departments hosting tables. Your focus shouldn’t be on competition or putting down other groups, but rather selling the strengths of your organization to potential members.
• Follow 5 basic steps to effective recruitment:
  1. Ask Questions
  2. Be Brief
  3. Be Courteous
  4. Be Direct
  5. Be Enthusiastic!

After the Table

• Follow-Up with Potential Members
  • Every student who signed up at the table should be contacted within 24-48 hours. If you can not follow-up, do not ask for their contact information! When you talk with them:
    • Thank them for stopping by the table
    • Ask if they have any questions
    • Personally invite them to your next meeting