Whether you like it or not, student membership and attendance are key indicators that are tracked in CTSOs. There are a variety of ways to recruit students to your chapter, and a variety of reasons that students might join. While they might come for the food or the idea of a trip, they’ll stay because of the community you’ve built. Because recruiting is essential to CTSO success, I asked teachers what they do to invite and encourage students to join their chapter (listed below).

• Suggestions from teachers

• • Ask other teachers for student recommendations, then send personal invitations to those students.
  • Ask your current members to invite a friend to a specific meeting or event.
  • Invite current students in your class to participate in your CTSO (everyone likes to be noticed).
  • Incentivize with travel; advertise the trip to nationals (make sure they know they can earn their way).
  • Set up a booth at school or during lunch to talk about your CTSO.
  • Emphasize recruiting during the first month of a new school year.
  • Recruit and invite students that you know would have success in your CTSO.
  • Have an opening social with food.