20 AUG 2010 - 1249 CDT

I support proactive ARRL member recruitment except when it generates poor
results and potentially angers some amateur radio licensees receiving the
phone call.  I do not know the detailed results of our first telemarketing trial (see IN-Newsletter excerpt below), but the general assessment of this trial leads me to believe that telemarketing will be counter-productive; it will not be worth the expense.

I receive a small, but continuing, number of negative comments about our affinity partners' marketing activities.  I know of nobody who welcomes
junk U.S. mail, but at least we are not forced to read it.  However,
virtually everybody hates telephone sales calls because they are intrusive
and disrupt the recipient's activities.

I support four non-amateur radio charitable (501-3c) tax-exempt organizations and I have "trained" them to not call me.  Two tax-exempts would not put me
on a no-call list.  They no longer receive any support from me.  I don't want the ARRL to be put in the position of having to filter (at extra cost) it's potential member market because this would mean we would have permanently
lost a percentage of this market.

- Dick Isely, W9GIG








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IN-Newsletter

Vol. 33, No. 33

August 18, 2010  --  Covers the period August 8-14.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI)

September 27-October 1 – ARRL HQ

Executive Committee Meeting

October 23 @ 9:00am in St. Louis, MO

Ballot Counting for Director/Vice Director Elections

November 19 in Newington, CT

<SNIP>

Sales and Marketing

Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R

A large membership campaign is being prepared for mailing in September.

Diane Petrilli is exploring a second telemarketing trial (one was conducted last year with mixed/poor results)­involving a telemarketing firm that has experience making outbound
calls for membership organizations.

We are pleased with the high response rate to an on-line Membership Benefits Survey.  The survey invitation was sent by email to a sample group.  The survey was also mailed to members that did not respond, and to another sample of members without known email addresses.  Results will be analyzed and reported in late September.

Our affinity benefit partners are all gearing-up for program mailings during the next 2 months: ARRL Visa credit card (US Bank), ARRL Equipment Insurance Program (Marsh), and group-rate home and auto insurance (MetLife).

<SNIP>