Free Stuff to Foster Engagement

marketing and communications Associations Now July/August 2015 By: Joe Rominiecki

The Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists sent members a box of freebies in April to kick off a new member-engagement campaign. Find out how a mug and a lunchbag can build member enthusiasm and brand awareness.

Whatever you call it—swag, tchotchkes, freebies, loot—a small gift with your association's logo on it can pay off over time, especially if a member can use it every day. That's one goal behind the "OSANA Proud!" engagement kit, a box mailed to every member of the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists this spring to kick off a new campaign to boost member involvement in everything from meeting attendance to legislative advocacy.

"We are receiving steady feedback from our members as an answer to their receiving the member kit, and our list of those interested in volunteering for the association is growing," says Peggy Blankenship, CAE, OSANA executive director.

So, what's in the box?

Member report. A small "Member Report 2015" booklet outlines OSANA's mission, strategic plan, and member benefits.

Response card. A postcard enlists members to express their interest in getting involved in advocacy and other OSANA programs.

Mug, lunchbag, and retractable badge holder. Bearing the OSANA logo, this handy office gear is both a daily reminder to members about the association and a show of OSANA pride for coworkers to see.

[This article was originally published in the Associations Now print edition, titled "Good Old Giveaways."]

Joe Rominiecki

Joe Rominiecki is a contributing editor to Associations Now.