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Thoughts for Georgia Organics

1.10.08

After our initial meeting (January 7, 2008), I’ve had a few thoughts regardingGeorgia Organics’ efforts to attract youth (defined as 18-35) to the organization.Lady Rogue • rogueApron.com • ladyroguebiz.ning.com

Create a Supporter/Fan classification

This generation doesn’t pay for anything – not downloaded music, newspapercontent, or streamed television. As the economy retracts, and wallets shrink, themembership fee becomes even more of an obstacle to attracting membership.Create a ‘free’ membership classification – think of it as an entry-level membership.• Create a significant difference between the free and the paid membership levels,to retain the loyalty of paying members• Use the free/supporter/fan classification to grow your membership numbers –imagine telling your congressman you represent 50,000 Georgians!• Use the free/supporter/fan classification to reach out to more people aboutGeorgia Organics, and the farmers and programs it supports. Increase your digitalmedia output (via Facebook, Twitter, emails, and the like), and feed yoursupporter/fans with a constant stream of relevant information about local food• Create constant incentives to ‘upgrade’ to a ‘paid’ membership – earning ‘paid’membership via community service, getting access to exclusive food events, ordining incentives (e.g. percentage off bills for GO members at participatingrestaurants)

Create Blog/Website membership levels

Atlanta food blogs will be some of the best way of recruiting food-savvy folks. Afterall, their readers are local food lovers! Create a ‘blog/website’ membership level,and create digital ‘badges’ that sites can display to signal that they are a supporterof GO. These badges, incidentally, act as free advertising for GO, encouragingreaders of these sites to join GO.

Think transparent

Whatever we end up doing – and there are so many great ideas! – keep the processtransparent. Post materials like this – even seemingly boring stuff like meetingminutes – on the web for others to view and comment on. You never know wherethe next great idea will come from … so keep the discussions out in the open. Let’sinspire people to become more involved in their communities!