05/ 25/ 2006
by NFIB President Todd Stottlemyer
Since I've arrived, I've heard lots of discussion about NFIB's membership numbers and the need to grow. It's come up in recent Area Action Council meetings, conversations with long-term members and even in a couple of media interviews.
It's true that membership has not increased for several years. It's equally true that growing the membership is one of our major goals. But we also want to be sure that we recruit new members who will actively support our cause to advance free enterprise and ensure that America remains the best place to start, operate and grow a business.
For a successful advocacy organization like NFIB, it's not just about the numbers. Politicians in Washington, D.C., and the state capitals aren't impressed by how many members you claim on your rolls. Groups like the NRA and the AARP aren't successful because they have millions of members. What elected officials want to know about any advocacy group is how many members contact them on issues, support their campaigns, vote on Election Day and otherwise participate in the political process.
NFIB's success is driven by our member-activists: those who join Area Action Councils, talk to the media, contribute to our SAFE Trust political action committees, attend small-business days at state capitals and, of course, contact legislators. We could implement a strategy tomorrow that would quickly double our membership, but if these new members aren't active, we won't be any more successful than we are today.
So our challenge is two-fold: We need to grow the membership, and, most importantly, we need to increase the number of active NFIB members we have.
We recently finished a national survey, conducted by the Gallup Organization, which asked you, our members, how we are doing in meeting (and hopefully exceeding) your expectations of NFIB. In addition, we surveyed a large sample of small-business owners who are not members of NFIB and asked them why they have not joined our cause. The information from this survey is very helpful and will enable us to identify the best prospects for new and active members.
The survey also revealed that we must do a better job of differentiating ourselves from other business organizations, as many non-members believe we're all alike. We will take a hard look at what NFIB does for you and how we can do it better—as well as improving the way we communicate what we do and the value it brings to you, our members.
We also must address the changing demographics of small-business owners. Compelling statistics show the rapid rise of minority- and women-owned small businesses across the United States. As an organization that rightfully lays claim to being the voice of small business across America, we need to find ways to reach out to these ownership communities and draw them into NFIB membership to support our cause of advancing free enterprise.
But the best way to recruit new members to join and support our cause is through you, our committed members. You understand the value of NFIB membership and the critically important and loud voice that NFIB provides for small and independent businesses across America. You know other small-business owners, in your community or in your trade, who would benefit from NFIB membership as well.
Your referrals and recommendations are a great way to help us become an even more active, dynamic and effective NFIB. The stakes have never been higher. Our cause has never been more important. With your help, we can become an even stronger voice for free enterprise. Soon you will be hearing more about a member referral program designed to help you do just that.
Thank you for your continued membership in NFIB, your support of our cause and your commitment to helping make the future even brighter for NFIB and America.
