Bright Ideas: Growing Membership


Husband and wife dynamic duo Gary and Janey Kopp recruited more than 120 new members for the Auxiliary and VFW Richard J. Gross Post 8896 in East Berlin, Pennsylvania, last year. Below, Janey shares how, for them, great teamwork and communication can make all the difference when it comes to attracting new members.


Gary and Janey Kopp


VFWA: Please tell us how you’re involved with the Auxiliary.


JK: I have been a Life Member of Auxiliary 8896 since 1979. I am also past President, Auxiliary Treasurer since 1985 and past District 21 President. Gary is a Life Member of VFW Post 8896, getting his eligibility serving in Vietnam. Gary’s father recruited him for membership as soon as he was eligible in 1966 (while still in Vietnam). In October of 2016, he will have been a member for 50 years. Gary and his father, Paul, were the fi rst father/son Commanders of the Post. Our three children are members of the Auxiliary and our youngest daughter, Melissa, has been President twice and is now serving as Senior Vice-President again.


“Our best advice is to talk to people. Make them aware of our programs and be a warm and friendly face.”


VFWA: What are some innovative ways you recruit?


JK: We are a family-oriented Post and Auxiliary. Gary and his brother grew up in the VFW. Both his mother and father were very active. Because of this, many of their friends also had children who grew up in the VFW. As a result, we’ve met a lot of people and have managed to recruit the extended families of many of our members. When someone submits a new application, we question whether they have friends or family


who would also be eligible for membership. When Gary recruits a new VFW member, he automatically asks if they know anyone who may be eligible to join the Auxiliary. At the Post, Gary often engages in


conversation with male guests asking whether they are eligible for the Auxiliary. Unfortunately, most are still unaware that we accept male members. Gary is Secretary of our Home Association and comes in contact with many people through that role. Most of our members hold Life Memberships. I have gone through our female Auxiliary fi les looking for any male members in the family with eligibility. Last year, I sent letters to our Home Association members inviting them to see if they are eligible to join the Auxiliary. I received a huge response from males wanting to join the Auxiliary and be Life Members.


VFWA: What advice do you have for other members who are looking for creative ways to grow membership?


JK: Our best advice is to talk to people. Make them aware of our programs and be a warm and friendly face. Most times they do not come to you. We are very knowledgeable of the membership criteria and make ourselves available to answer questions. We don’t recruit members and then forget about them. We try to remember faces and names. When new members join, we send a small brochure that introduces our programs and how we participate in them and how to get involved in the community.


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