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by Lynn Snyder

When it comes to running a membership campaign, Ohio is known among state Farm Bureaus as running one of the best. When it comes time to thank the volunteers who have led the campaign, nobody does it better.

The annual membership chairmen's trip was a reward for 140 Farm Bureau volunteers who excelled at this year's campaign. To qualify, a chairman's county needed to reach either farmer gain or overall gain by March 11. The top three area signers were also invited. The two-day bus trip to Louisville, Ky., included stops at Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum and factory and the Derby Dinner Playhouse.

"The membership chairman is the key volunteer in the county for the campaign," said OFBF Director of Membership Activities Mike Fearon. "We wanted to recognize them and the top signers for their outstanding effort. This trip is a token of our thanks--they earned it."

The volunteers were presented with awards and prizes during an evening banquet. Chairmen who achieved overall gain by Feb. 14 were given a Farm Bureau jacket. Those who reached Silver Plowshare (50 farmer member gain or a 7 percent increase over last year) were given a Farm Bureau watch. The top new member signers were given plaques.

OFBF's campaign is still under way, according to Fearon. "We are pleased to announce farmer gain, as of April 2," he said. He projects the state to be 2,500 members away from statewide gain.

"Volunteers are still working on getting nonrenewals and prospects, and working to qualify for our incentive contest," he said. Until April 30, volunteers who sign a new member are entered into a drawing for $200. Each new member signed earns one more ticket in the drawing. Ten, $200 prizes will be awarded May 5.

"We are approaching gain by taking this one member at a time," Fearon said. Field staff and membership chairmen continue to make contact with Nationwide agents to surface new associate members and are following up on agency nonrenewal lists. OFBF state office staff have been partnering with county volunteers for membership workdays, which Fearon said have been successful. As of press time, 20 of these workdays had been held.

Caption:Qualifying membership chairmen and area top signers enjoyed Churchill Downs during the membership recognition trip in early April. Pictured, back row (l to r): Floyd Hogue, Muskingum; Ed Motz, Hamilton; Earl Gerdeman, Van Wert; Lloyd Mumaw, Wayne. Front row (l to r): Margie Schiller, Ottawa; Alice Davis, Auglaize; Lou Robinson, Lawrence; Sandi Lang, Scioto; Calvin Householder, Jefferson. Photo credit: Jay May

Winning Volunteers

The following county volunteers earned their way on the membership trip to Lousiville, Ky.

Ed Ulrich, Allen; Jack and Alice Davis, Auglaize; Don and Carol Carpenter, Belmont; Jim and Besty Crocker, Brown; Tim Gartrell, Carroll; Stuart Young, Clark; Carl and Jan Schoellman, Clermont; John Bay, Clinton; Fred Hippely, Columbiana; Rick Haines, Wendell Layman, Coshocton; Doug Watchman, Defiance; Joyce Downerd, John Humes, Delaware; Steve Kuhl, Diana Welch, Erie; Denise Sears, Fayette; Mark List, Franklin; Norm Bratton, Jr., Olen Genter, Fulton; Pat Parsons, Gallia; Tony Kolinsky, Jim Teichman, Geauga; Paul Evans, Greene; Ed Motz, Hamilton; Don Jones, Harrison; Kevin Thierry, Eric Klein, Henry; Orene Mauer, Holmes; Jake and Juanita Forshey, Jackson/Vinton; Tim Finney, Bill Greer, Calvin Householder, Jefferson; C. Eugene Phillips, Lynn McCann, Frank Dimarco, Knox; Don and Mary Ann Rogers, Lake; Lou Robinson, Lawrence; Max McGowan, Logan; John and Natalie Born, Lorain; Mary Kay Shotts, Mahoning; Roy Loudenslager, Marion; Patti Boyert, Nyla Kovalik, Medina; Jeff Francis, Miami; Tom Thomas, Montgomery; Connie Krause, Jennifer Lindimore, Morgan; Bill Hershner, Larry Ulrey, Morrow; Floyd and Jeannie Hogue, Rob and Bobbi Vernon, Muskingum; Kevin and Marcia Murphy, Noble; Phyllis Garn, Chuck Lenke, Melanie Anslow, Margie Schiller, Ottawa; Dewey Kennedy, Lee Wiseman, Perry; Jeff Call, Pickaway; Lori Barker, Robin Williams, Pike; Cal Brant, Ken and Peg Royer, Portage; Tom Price, Putnam; Sandi Lang, Marvie Louder, Scioto; Carl Miller, Seneca; Brian and Tamara Benton, Summit; Sandee Smith, Trumbull; Mary Jane John, Tuscarawas; Clarice Philo, Isabella Monson, Union; Earl Gerdeman, Van Wert; Marianne Leisz, Janet Bowling, Warren; Melanie Alloway, Bill Burkhart, Washington; Kurt Gasser, Ed Gill, Lloyd Mumaw, Wayne; Marlin Cummins, Lyle Brigle, Williams; Marlene McCleary, Joyce Montgomery, Wyandot.