Membership Toolkit

Membership Incentives

TMAA has funds available to support local alliances in efforts to recruit new members and retain current members. Chapters can request up to $1,500 annually for a membership event(s). TMAA staff will respond within three business days of your request.

Apply Here

Promotional Materials
A promotional brochure featuring the benefits of TMAA is available to local chapters at no cost. If you would like some brochures, email Tammy Wishard and include a shipping address, in addition to the number of copies you would like.

TMAA also can help you produce a postcard or flyer to help spread the word about your local alliance. If you would like help producing a piece to advertise an event, encourage membership renewal, or promote your chapter, email Tammy Wishard.

Automatic Dues Renewal
TMAA members can simplify their dues renewal process and ensure their dues never lapse by signing up for Automatic Dues Renewal. TMAA will automatically charge a credit card on file at the start of the membership renewal cycle each year (in October). Members can sign up for auto renewal when they renew their dues online. Here’s a flyer to share with local alliance members .

How to Ask for Membership
The most important thing to keep in mind when asking someone to join is emphasizing the value the alliance provides its members. Feel free to share your personal experiences of connecting with Family of Medicine colleagues, volunteering in your community, building a relationship with legislators, or whatever energizes you about being part of the alliance and keeps you engaged.

Renewal Schedule

Sept. 20: Auto-renewals email
Oct. 2: Launch campaign via email
Oct. 18: First mail invoice to all members, including those who didn’t auto-renew or respond to Oct. 2 email
Nov. 7: Email invoice
Dec. 4: Email invoice
Jan. 7: Email invoice
Jan. 22: Mail invoice
Feb. 5: Email invoice
Late Feb/Early March: Mail invoice or postcard (if needed)
March 10: Last chance email

 

Lapsed and Nonmember Outreach

Nov. 1: Letter/invoice to lapsed members (2020-24)
Nov. 15: Letter/invoice to potential members
Jan. 14: Email to lapsed members
Jan. 22: Postcard to potential members
Feb. 12: Postcard to lapsed members
 

The Elevator Speech
How do you talk about the Alliance to others? If you struggle to describe what the alliance does, and what it means to you, try starting with one of the sample scripts below.

Here are three reasons to join the alliance, where there’s something for everyone at each stage of a medical career:

1. Meet new friends and develop relationships with people who “get” you. Or just have fun and network with other medical families in your community. The alliance is one of the few organizations that supports the Family of Medicine, with its unique joys and challenges.

2. Gain direct access to legislators and the legislative process so you can help protect the practice of medicine. You can develop skills to connect individually with your legislators or join with TMA in its organized lobbying initiatives.

3. Take part in ready-made public health outreach programs to give back to your community and serve collaboratively. You’re in a unique position to provide public health education and help improve the health of your community. TMA offers several programs to help you get started, or you can participate in existing local efforts.

The Phone Script
Tasked with making phone calls, but not sure what to say? Use the sample phone script below to develop an easy, consistent message.

Hi, this is [your name] with [your county alliance]. How are you? We haven’t seen you for a while and wanted to check in.

I noticed you haven’t renewed your membership for [year] yet, and I wanted to see if you had overlooked the renewal request or if there is some other reason you haven’t renewed. I’m also happy to answer any questions.

It’s now much easier to renew your membership, and you can do it online, by phone, or through the mail. Just go to www.texmedalliance.org and click “Renew” in the top-right corner. You can click the “auto-renew” button while you’re online so you don’t have to remember to pay next year.

If you forgot your log-in information, call the TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955. They can get you renewed over the phone and reset your password while you’re at it!

If you’d prefer to pay with a check, return the statement you received in the mail to the address on the form. If you need a new one, just let me know, and I can send it to you!

Thanks for taking the time to chat. We really appreciate having you as a member, and I hope I’ll see you at [next meeting or event]!

The Messaging Matrix
Whether a physician spouse/partner, medical student, resident, or physician, the alliance has something to offer for every individual. Our messaging matrix details the benefits of TMAA to each of these groups.

Download the messaging matrix .

Have your own benefits you'd like to add? Email tammy.wishard@texmed.org!

Responding to a "No"

I don't have time to participate in any of the events.
That’s completely fine; you don’t have to. Your financial support of the alliance enables us to carry out our programs throughout the year. Plus, you can get some online benefits to stay connected, such as the [local chapter online benefits] and TMAA monthly e-newsletter, Monthly Memo.

The alliance doesn’t seem to offer anything of interest to me.
We try to offer a variety of opportunities and experiences, and I’d love to talk about where you can find your niche. What are some of your interests – maybe local volunteerism, fundraising, professional development? Or if you are looking for people to connect with, we have a variety of social events for you and for families. [Be sure to talk about activities or special interest groups unique to your alliance; or perhaps start a new program based on their needs.]

I want to pay my local dues, not TMAA dues.
TMAA’s support is actually really important to our chapter. TMAA provides our infrastructure, from database management to dues billing; organizes annual meetings; and manages the newsletter and other membership communications. TMAA staff is available to answer questions and help our county take our work to the next level.

Tips & Reminders

  • Have a list of county projects or events handy and be prepared to talk about them. As a member of TMAA and your local alliance, you are the best person to demonstrate how the alliance benefits you and your community. If you recently gave away bike helmets to children in your community, raised money for a medical student scholarship, or raised funds to benefit your community’s health, be sure to share.
  • Multiple “touches” may be needed before someone joins. It never hurts to reach out and invite someone to an event – be welcoming, thank them for coming, and introduce them to fellow alliance members whenever you get a chance.
  • Remember to follow up with potential and new members. Once they pay their dues, they need to feel valued.
  • Find ways to engage and involve new members. Consider asking them to serve in a specific role: “We are looking for some new members for our scholarship committee. Would you be willing to serve there?”