Article

The 2018 membership campaign was one of transition.

Ohio Farm Bureau ended the campaign at 62,325 active members, which was short of the overall goal. However, 28 counties achieved a 5 percent active gain and 39 counties achieved active member gain, said Paul Lyons, OFBF senior director of membership, and there are many positives to build upon for 2019.

A Step Up For Membership campaign was launched for the 2018 effort. Additional social media outreach and a billboard in Marion County were used as new ways to reach and engage prospects and volunteers in communicating the value of membership.

Also, 2018 saw an increase in volunteer participation, Lyons said, as 1,469 volunteers signed at least one member, which was an increase of over 300 volunteers participating in the campaign from 2017. More than 100 volunteers became members of the Ambassador Club, by signing 10 or more new members and a total 7,775 new members, winbacks and renewals were signed by volunteers.

Awards

The following volunteers earned the Murray Lincoln Award by signing 50 or more new or winback members:
Susan Shoup, Wayne County – 73
John Fitzpatrick, Wayne County – 63
Rebecca Vincent, Stark County – 60
Carmen Mengon, Belmont County – 54
Ervin Raber, Holmes County – 54
Julie Tripp, Jackson-Vinton County – 52
Anthony Booth, Wayne County – 51
Rita Myers, Lucas County – 51

“We had a tremendous effort made by our volunteers, county office staff and organization directors. The 2018 campaign is in the history books. Now we celebrate our accomplishments and begin to evaluate how we can get better to meet our goals in the future. The 2019 membership campaign has begun,” Lyons said.

Photo caption: OFBF Executive Vice President Adam Sharp; Lyons; OFBF Director, Member Services John Marihugh