In August of 2021, the Lincoln Trail Area Extension Homemakers conducted a SWOT analysis at their area meeting. This meeting consisted of county and club officers, chairmen, and members from each of the 8 counties in the Lincoln Trail Area. While many strengths of the Extension Homemakers organization were listed, weaknesses still arose. Lack of technology, fundraising, structure, size, and more were all listed as minor weaknesses. However, a few kept rising to the top – mentioned again and again: publicity, marketing, image, and how to be inclusive. A quick threats assessment listed similar concerns – technology, time, perception, negative thinking, and personality conflicts.

Just coming out of the pandemic, many Homemaker members were hesitant to rejoin their friends at Homemaker meetings, and public events for recruitment were few and far between. The desire for clubs to gain new members, and re-energize current members, was strong.

In response to this, the area Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agents began planning a “kickoff” for the 2022 year. The event included topics that would help strengthen weaknesses and avoid or overcome threats that were listed in the 2021 area council meeting. The day included speakers on Who We Are and How People See Us, Conversation Starters and Welcoming New Members, Making a Good Impression, Personality Differences, How to Recruit New Members, and more.

We know from thesis research of one of the FCS agents, that when more than 75% of people hear the term “homemaker,” they think of someone, generally a woman, who may or may not work outside the home, or who may work outside the home, but still participates in housework (including but not limited to sewing, cooking, cleaning, and more). Only 20% considered a Homemaker to be someone involved in the community working to improve the lives of others through leadership development, volunteer service, and education. 

At the Kickoff Event, suggestions for how to change the perception of homemakers in our communities were strong and flourishing. Many members reported that they realized that it is their job to get out in the community and, by word of mouth, let people know who the Extension Homemakers really are and what they do. They vowed to begin educating their communities at public events, on social media, and in person, about the benefits of joining Homemakers.

                The FCS Agent in Marion County suggested some “do’s and don’ts” for recruiting new members into the organization. This mentioned subjects that should and should not be talked about, inclusion for new members, how to make everyone feel welcome, and how to encourage newer members to join the organization. The Agent also introduced a couple of icebreaker questions that the members could take home with them and use for their clubs and club meetings, especially when inviting and introducing new members.

At the Kickoff Event, it was suggested that clubs should meet at differing times of day to accommodate more schedules. A large discussion was on personally inviting members of our community to Homemaker meetings, and then actually listening to what they would like to see from the Homemakers Organization. It was also discussed how to make meetings more fun, how to include men and minorities, and how we can educate our communities on Homemakers using social media since 77% of individuals surveyed said that that was the best way to reach them. 

At the end of the day, 98% of attendees reported gaining confidence in their leadership and recruitment abilities. 96% said they were more likely to approach recruiting new members differently since attending the training, and 100% said they planned to share the information they learned with other members. One attendee reported that she would actively work to be more creative when describing Homemakers because of what she learned at the training, making Homemakers sound as fun and engaging as they truly are. Another reported learning how eye contact, personal invitations, and a friendly demeanor can encourage someone to join and feel welcome at a Homemaker meeting.

Another stated that the most beneficial thing she took away from the Kickoff was learning to accept others for who they are, and to be tolerant of personalities different than her own. On a similar note, another was reminded that it takes all personalities to work together, and that learning about herself and her own personality would help her work better with others in her club. Another said that their biggest takeaway from the day is to not assume that people know who Homemakers are, and that she would work to be kind and inviting, and change the perception of who people assume Homemakers to be.

As agents, we considered this a great initial outcome for what potentially will turn into a long-term solution. As we energize and encourage our members to be great and tell about how great they are, the organization can build larger and stronger together.