Record Information

Every time we meet a Jewish teen, we need to add them to our prospect list. This list can be kept in many formats, but a shared online document where information can be accessed by those recruiting and is still protected, is ideal (i.e., Google Docs).

Your chapter should be building your prospect list at every chapter meeting and regularly checking the list to make sure the data is correct. An updated copy of your chapter record spreadsheet should also be kept in your local office and with the council or regional leadership so they can easily support you with your recruitment efforts.

The record spreadsheet ensures that we’re following up with our prospects, inviting them to programs that they're interested in, and warming them up to the idea of getting involved. We want to know what their interests are, who knows them, and keep track of what might make them most excited to take part in AZA or BBG.

Bring the sample record spreadsheet below to your next chapter meeting and start building your list. Make the process of recording fun by ordering food or blasting music. If you're having a record party at a convention, have someone on a mic hyping the experience.

Invite Them to an Event

As soon as you meet a teen or receive their contact information, you want to start inviting them to fun, social, and chapter-based activities so they can get a taste of AZA and BBG. Non-business programs, events where they can build friendships, and experiences where they can learn about the opportunities they could have access to with membership are all ideal. It’s important that chapter and community calendars are planned well in advance so that there’s a line-up of opportunities ready to go to excite any prospective member.
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Great calendaring drives recruitment. Use this template to build a calendar that will attract new Jewish teens throughout the semester. Hint: You want to make your calendar as diverse as possible because everyone has different interests.

Be a Great Host

It’s on us to make sure every prospective member has a great time. Make sure they have a ride; if you can—waive any fees or early expenses, and make sure that they’re looked out for by an experienced member (maybe a future big brother or sister?) at their first few events until they meet people and settle in. It’s important to show how much we value every new prospective member. Let's make them want to come back to AZA and BBG, and be hungry for member-only experiences like serving on board, attending conventions, traveling for International experiences, and more.

Look at your record spreadsheet and pair up current members with prospective members to be their event buds. Have event hosting check-ins before and after programs to strategize execution and follow-up. Your hosting group text should be on fire all night.

Make the Ask

This is when it gets really fun. Once a prospect member is interested in what AZA and BBG has to offer, you get to give them the greatest gift of all: membership. Leveraging AZA and BBG traditions like AIT/MIT classes, big and little brother/sister pairings, bid cards, inductions, and conventions are all surefire ways to amplify your ask. More than anything, being direct and expressing to any teen that this is a community that will support them, embrace them, and from which they can do great things is what is most compelling. Everyone wants to belong to something bigger than themselves. You can make that possible for every Jewish teen.

This button below will be pretty important when you make the ask.

But wait, what if the person I'm asking to join has some pretty legitimate reasons for not wanting to sign up? They have basketball practice every day after school, their parents don't see the value, or maybe it's too much money. Learn how to combat these common roadblocks to registering. It's a good idea to have these in your back pocket when making the ask.

MRIHA is just the beginning of membership—quite literally. Once they are a member you'll need to educate them on everything BBYO and then keep them involved.