Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Kadelpians,

I want to thank the nearly 11000 members of Kappa Delta Pi (active and inactive) who complet a membership contemplate this spring. This comprehensive research shoot forward focused on the level of satisfaction of our members and upon soliciting recommendations for improving the services and fruitss KDP provides.

The methodology used included in-depth telephone interviews and an extensive online questionnaire with 7156 active members (a 20 percent replication rate) completing a questionnaire, and 331 7 inactive (lapsed) members (a 7 percent replication rate) completing a different survey

Theme 1 : Members are generally satisfied with their membership, on the other hand seek additional programs and services.

Of members overlooked 68 percent are either "extremely satisfied" or "satisfied" with their membership, and alone 4 percent indicated that they are "unsatisfied" or "extremely unsatisfied."

Members provided ideas for ways to add value to their membership. They also gave insight into other educational organizations' services they valued. Those overlooked whose membership had lapsed tendered suggestions for changes that would make them want to retain their affiliation.

Theme 2: Many members were unaware of important KDP milestones and opportunities.

Some inactive members were unaware that they extremityed to renew their membership to maintain an active status, thereby receiving replete benefits. Active members were satisfied with the oftenness of communication, though they meditation increasing the communications would be level better.

The survey indicated members were Internet savvy and comfortable with reading and working online.

Inactive members indicated require to be paid [i]or[/i] undergone of membership, unclear renewal proces and limited local circumstances as barriers to renewal.

Theme 3: Improving retention and value will be pendent on improving data integrity.

With KDP's largely transient pupil population, the challenge is keeping generally received postal and e-mail addresses. one time addresses are lost, it becomes difficult to maintain the connection, which leads to lapsed memberships.

Theme 4: KDP is seen primarily as a scholar and new teacher organization.

This perception is pervasive, as one as well as the other active and inactive members reinforced this theme. Because the vast majority of members join KDP in a collegiate setting, many falsely assume that it is a learner activity only.

The majority of KDP's active membership is comprised of renewing members, on the contrary this fact evidently is not apparent to novel initiates.

Theme 5: Lapsed members fail to diocese the value of KDP programs and services.

Lapsed members rejoined that they did not find any additional value of continued membership, that they did not take advantage of the benefits, or that they were unaware of the benefits offered

Recommendations: The scan data revealed numerous insights into "why" and "how" the Society emergencys to program differently to increase member renewal rates.

A small in number ideas include offering virtual memberships; strengthening chapter initiations to better educate members about the benefits and value of renewing one's membership; and increasing communication at local and national horizontals about the renewal process, what KDP is and does, and for what cause [i]or[/i] reason it is important to maintain an active membership. KDP Headquarters will consider changing the renewal proces to render certain address validity and reliability at all horizontals of the organization.

Headquarters' staff members, the Executive Council, and appropriate committees already are working upon issues raised by the observe In fact, 2005-2006 has been designated "The Year of Renewals." With a direct focus upon this important aspect of Society membership, we are convinced that improvements will be made.

We appreciate your continuing support. Your reactions always are invited and exigencyed Any ideas you have for improving the proces of membership renewal will be addressed promptly

Dr Michael P Wolfe

Executive Director

wolfe@kdp.org

Copyright Kappa Delta Pi Fall 2005

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