The famous expression that MC Michael Buffer yells out before a boxing match to fire up the crowd is “Let’s get ready to Rumble!”. In 2020, the USPTA will launch a very exciting membership initiative that will be sure to get our new and existing members fired up. The initiative is called Elevate.
Elevate is a membership growth and retention initiative that will focus on members who have been in the organization for five years or fewer. The specific goal is to connect, involve and engage new and existing members. Elevate will be grow and retain membership by supporting our new and existing members at both the National and Divisional level with consistent touch points and viable resources that specifically give our members what they’re looking for.
The U30 Initiative will strategically transition into Elevate, which will give us the ability as an organization to provide resources and assistance to all age demographics while still capturing the important needs of both the younger or more seasoned professional. The U30 Initiative did a tremendous job focusing on 45% of our new members, but with a broader and more inclusive initiative like Elevate, we will be able to assist the additional 55%.
Bringing in younger professionals continues to be a big priority for the USPTA. Our organization will continue to ride on the momentum that our U30 Initiative has captured. As one of the originators of the U30 Initiative, I couldn’t be prouder of the impact that this volunteer initiative has made. A big thank you to Mike Baugh and his team for leading our U30 efforts.
The Career and Leader Mentoring Program will fall under the membership committee as a subcommittee, becoming more important than ever, especially as it relates to engaging and educating new and existing members as mentors and mentees. The Career and Leader Mentoring Program will also play a big role with identifying and cultivating future leaders of our organization. I would like to thank Southern Division President Kevin Theos, Mitch White and all the individuals who have worked tirelessly with this gamechanging initiative.
With big changes happening in 2020 and beyond and as an organization, the USPTA will continue to adapt and evolve to meet the everchanging needs of our members. Since taking office in January, USPTA President Feisal Hassan has challenged us all to think more broadly and holistically, and Elevate is one of the ways that will help us to do just that. I’m confident that we can rally behind an initiative that inspires, engages and unites us, so we all can play a part in the long term success of an organization that is so near and dear to us.