Enlisting former and current members to "spread the word"

Some programs find that members and alumni are one of their best recruitment resources. Besides providing referrals, this practice has other benefits:

• It's a great way to involve members/alums beyond their usual scope of work
• It shows confidence in their recommendations and judgments

However, seasoned program directors offer this advice:

• Don't use members' recommendations alone
• It's important to conduct the same rigorous candidate review process for everyone
• Ask for references in addition to the former or current member

One program has had success using member contacts to recruit on college campuses.

This sheet was created by Admission Possible (St. Paul, MN), an AmeriCorps*State program that helps promising, low-income young people in the Twin Cities gain admission to college.

Read some tasks, goals, and deadlines for this practice.