The knights of chess

The mental process for empowered volunteers and the use of sales techniques for proper presentations to reflect the correct atmosphere for a new member is critical. Consider some of the perspectives as a new member would if you want to be successful. Some people consider such things a high mental challenge, similar to playing chess. While chess is not nearly that hard, the value of this information is that if you try you will have a higher degree of success than if you were unprepared and did not try.

First off, you must be totally convinced in the value your offer presents for a prospective new member and that their social capital generated by your offer will help them not only individually but socially as well. If you don’t fully believe this, stop and figure out what is wrong. Don’t ever attempt to present opportunities to someone unless your fully believe in the product or the concept. Particularly when it comes to really helping people become a volunteer!

Social capital is not new, only the conception of the phrase is new. Roman citizens of all classes met in baths, where a noble might be in a room next to a retired legionnaire. Roman Senators might be bathing next to a merchant or an ambitious son of a prominent family. These chance meetings might result in introductions that might be made by someone who is familiar with both parties at the bath.

Alliances could be formed, deals could be explored, or maybe old friendships rekindled. Romans practiced social capital theory without ever knowing the phrase. The modern empowered volunteer can also practice social capital without reading all of the studies supporting the theory.

However the studies are ready to support the empowered volunteer presentation to the candidate with all the facts and figures if they are needed for their decision making process. Remember, facts and figures help a prospect move towards a decision, but only an emotional tie to the product will net the sale of the member actually joining.

Data persuades, but emotions are always at the heart of every buying decision.

A strong belief in the value and righteousness of your crusade to recruit new volunteers must be reflected in your actions, not just your words. You will need total commitment from a support staff and the group as a whole. This means you need to sell your idea to the group and obtain their full support for your effort. This can not be stressed enough. If possible get the commitment in writing. If not, get tangible actions in place so that the commitment is seen by other members as real.

You need to be convinced that building membership in your group will significantly benefit the individual if they participate in the activities. You must be totally convinced that once they participate they will also be helping the group and society as a whole. This belief must not be just academic; it must be a firmly held gut level knowledge, which you are absolutely certain of. All sales people need to believe in their product, and I mean completely believe with all of their being if they want to succeed. This firm belief is true of the empowered volunteer as well.

Review the reports on the health benefits associated with social capital currently available before taking on the volunteer role. Can you see how the benefits involved are good for the individual? How about social capital as it relates to the group? Can you visualize several new members still experiencing the same benefits? This vision is important for your long-term approach to building membership. Membership building is a long-range philosophy, which needs to be practiced over time.

Social capital is available in many forms, but for our purposes volunteering in America is the focus. It could be a new member mentioning to the others in his new group about a book, which is interesting and presents solutions to problems some have experienced. Perhaps a new member has experience in something, which leads to a house visit to repair a computer. This could result in the repaired computer owner being grateful and suggesting the new member call his personal accountant for an issue they conversed about. Social capital can be seen in one aspect as the breaking down of social barriers between individuals and promoting compassionate recommendations, which potentially help the recipient.

Passion is what separates the people who can persuade others to their cause and those who can’t get others to agree or buy the product. Keep in mind that you are in a great position here, you are presenting an opportunity to help them in several ways, none of which are in any way negative. This is a super position to be in. They will be better off no matter what if they just take your offer of participating. The more they participate, the better the chances of their prospering! Just like chess as a matter of fact, practice makes perfect.

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