Recruiting Area Coordinators

Purpose

Area Coordinators (ACs) extend the reach of your Local Group by creating local connections in outlying areas.

This page outlines how to identify, recruit, and successfully onboard Area Coordinators.

Guiding Principle

You are not recruiting “event planners.”

You are recruiting:

Connectors
Welcomers
People willing to say, “I can be the local point of contact”

Keep the role simple and approachable.

Step 1: Identify Where You Need ACs

Review member distribution (by ZIP code or area)
Look for clusters of members outside your main activity area
Identify underserved or remote regions

See:

Step 2: Identify Potential Candidates

Look for members who are:

Located in the target area
Responsive to communication
Interested in connection (not necessarily leadership)
Already hosting or attending events (even informally)

Good candidates often include:

Life members
Long-time members
Recently enthusiastic new members

Step 3: Make a Personal Ask

Do not rely on general announcements.

Instead:

Reach out individually (email, phone, or in person)
Explain why you thought of them specifically
Keep the ask simple and low-pressure

Example: “We have several members in your area, and I think you’d be great as a local point of contact. This would mainly mean welcoming new members nearby and possibly hosting an occasional meetup.”

Step 4: Set Clear, Realistic Expectations

Be explicit about what the role does — and does NOT require.

Emphasize:

Flexible time commitment
Optional, simple events
Support from the Membership Officer and board

Avoid:

Overloading the role
Implying large or complex responsibilities

Step 5: Provide Immediate Support

Once someone agrees:

Share a list of members in their area
Provide simple communication templates
Suggest an easy “first step” (e.g., coffee meetup)
Connect them with the Membership Officer

Early support increases long-term success.

Step 6: Start Small

Encourage new Area Coordinators to:

Begin with one simple event
Reach out to a few nearby members
Focus on connection, not turnout

Success = consistency, not scale.

Step 7: Recognize and Retain

Thank Area Coordinators regularly
Highlight their efforts in newsletters
Share positive feedback from members
Check in periodically to offer support

Recognition helps sustain engagement.

Where to Find Candidates

Member lists by geographic area
Newsletter contributors
Event attendees (especially repeat attendees)
Volunteers in other roles
Recommendations from current members

Common Pitfalls

Sending mass requests instead of personal outreach
Over-explaining or overcomplicating the role
Assigning areas without support or data
Expecting immediate or large-scale results
Failing to follow up after recruitment

If No One Volunteers

Start by connecting members informally
Host occasional events in the area yourself
Revisit later when engagement increases

Sometimes the role follows the activity — not the other way around.

Key Takeaway

Recruiting Area Coordinators is about making a simple, personal ask to the right person — and supporting them to succeed.

You are building connection, not filling a position.