Recruitment Strategies
How to Hold a Church Drive
A church drive is an ideal opportunity to reach an audience of qualified prospects. Its success is dependent on carefully planning and carrying out each of the following steps:
Obtain the pastor’s approval for the membership drive at all Masses on target weekend. Confirm dates/details and get the pastor involved in your recruitment efforts. Your parish priest will be your number one recruiter.
Order quantities of Prospect Cards (#921A), Membership Documents (#100), and posters and flyers such as “As Knights we not only act on faith...” flyer (#4497), “Our Future Knights...” flyer (#9116), “The Potential of a Man...” flyer (4496), “What this organization stands for...” booklet (#4547), “Make a Difference” recruiting poster (#4498), Fraternal Membership folder (4494), “Did You Know?” flyer (#1267), Family Fraternal Benefits flyer (#2761), Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit flyer (#2773), etc., from the Supply Department.
Provide an announcement for parish bulletin during each of the two weekends before the drive.
Prepare a tabletop display highlighting council activities and member benefits; include handouts and copies of the council newsletter and place in the church's vestibule.
Post teams of two to three Knights at each church door at every Mass to hand out flyers and Prospect Cards.
Collate materials and hand them out to each man as he enters the church. Leave sharpened pencils in each pew for completing Prospect Cards.
Arrange for the pastor, grand knight or membership director to make a brief announcement prior to or after Mass, explaining the Knights of Columbus, encouraging men to complete Prospect Cards and hand in as they leave church. Use a letter of support from the bishop (if available from state council) or sample pulpit announcements (#2678) available from the Supply Department.
Position Knights at exits to answer questions from prospects, assist in completing Membership Documents, or collect completed Prospect Cards for follow-up.
Make sure tables/supplies are restocked for each Mass.
Deliver all Membership Documents, completed Prospect Cards to the membership director.
Assign prospect names to recruiting teams for personal follow-up visits. Follow up immediately!