Knowing all members, knocking all their doors
With the desire to become close to and support women members effectively, I, along with Hoa Tien Communal Women's Union Executive Committee (Hoa Vang District,
Upon our working experience, we realized that in order to understand our members, we must first meet them to know them, know their circumstances and know their needs - the “3 knows”. After identifying the "3 knows" what should we do next? Due to our financial constraint, and after our careful consideration, we all agreed that we couldn’t provide them with cash or kinds but knowledge and livelihood support.
In March of the same year, we implemented the model "3 knows, 2 supports". At a meeting of Executive Committee of the Communal WU, most of our members were worried about the feasibility of knowing more than 3,000 members in 12 hamlets although they have done this for years. We then explained to them to be fully aware of the model’s purpose as well as how to approach the members to most effectively grasp their situation and needs.
At first, it was very difficult to carry out this model. Our members live in a wide area. We must go out in the evening if we want to meet them in person. There was no electricity or people around on our way. At that time, my child was under 1 year old but I gave my all-out effort to get there. Sometimes I asked my husband for help. We must go to their house many times to gain their trust so that they can share with us their situations. It recalls of a member who was too busy to join WU’s activities. After frequent visits by me and the Head of WU of the hamlet, and thanks to our timely supporting, she was gradually changing her mind and become more active in WU’s activities.
Until now, officials of Communal WU and Heads of WU of hamlets have met all their members and known their houses. Thanks to this model, we better captured the needs of the members. Thus, the rate of annual membership attraction increased by 2%. Whenever one member is helped, I always feel encouraged. After all, the purpose of the model is for the members.
