I’m sitting in Minneapolis Airport, waiting to head to Sioux Falls, then a three hour drive to Oacoma South Dakota for their Homecoming and Council of Administration meeting. Perfect time to let you know about an amazing person and recruiter from Post 3285 in Frederick, Maryland. I was looking at Membership Statistics and saw the nation’s top TWO recruiters were from the same post and between them had over 210 new recruits. So I reached out to find the secret to success. Comrade Joseph A. got back to me and here are some highlights of how he does it.
It’s not so much where he goes [he does spend a lot of time in military recruiting offices] but what he does before he gets there. Joe spends about 5 hours a week just making sure he presents a positive image. That means his clothes are cleaned and pressed and his shoes are polished. He always wears VFW logo polos or long sleeve shirts with “Commander” and his Post and City stitched on them. He always wears his VFW cover, either his Century Recruiter hat [he has done this before!] or his All American hat. He doesn’t put a lot of pins on the caps, only his Eagle, Globe, and Anchor or Army emblem. Did I forget to mention that Joe is 72, and a veteran of Korea AND Viet Nam?
He carries a VFW logo bag with all the recruiting materials he needs, along with pins, pamphlets, coins and other hand outs with of course his name and Post information. And he takes that bag with him wherever he goes so he is always ready to talk VFW. After he recruits someone, he makes return calls and visits with them to know he cares about them. He believes that building relationships is the way to retain members.
In his “free” time, Joe still works as a contractor, referees football, softball, and baseball games, and is active in his church. He also does magic shows so I’m looking forward to swapping trade secrets with him when we meet!
Joe was quick to mention the other fellow he recruits with, who makes up the other part of the 210 recruits they have amassed. Hugh W. makes rounds at local Reserve and Guard units on a regular basis. Together they make an awesome team, and all of us can learn something from them.
Know what you’re talking about. Dress for success. Be positive. And, in Joe’s words, “Go out and beat the bushes.”
Here's a link to their Post. It's the least I can do for them! https://www.vfw3285.org/
