Goal: 10 - 20% Annual Growth

Summary of Growth Potential

• 17.5% net growth potential (1st and 2nd yr) - 19.5% growth (3rd and subsequent years)

Summary of Investment Needed

• 2290 hrs (1st yr) - 1880 hrs (2nd and subsequent years)

• $11,000 (1st yr) - $8,000/yr costs (2nd and subsequent years) for:

Travel ($4K/yr)

Yellow Pages Co-op advertising ($2K/yr)

Newsletter advertising ($2K/yr) and

Initial ad design costs ($3K)

Drives and Campaigns

Drives and campaigns could produce net 4.5% growth in the first year with an investment of 430 hours/year and $2K/year. Net growth rate could increase to 6.5%/year in the third year as investment in University system produces returns.

1. Membership drive.
   1. Cold contact CPSS/SC members. (40 hrs/yr) 1% growth.
   2. Cold contact Universities - build information base, identify potential, promote (250 hrs/year)
      1. Year 1 and 2: Query universities to find most vigorous undergraduate programs, most supportive of NSCSS goals.
      2. Year 3+: Work with (support) target schools, soil science programs, individual instructors. 2% growth rate.
   3. Cold contact licensed individuals. (40 hrs/yr). 2% growth.
2. Yellow Pages CO-OP Advertising: NSCSS logo in member ads under Soil Scientist heading. The Soil Scientist heading is available in select markets in the Eastern US where most of our members are (and member growth potential is) located. (100 hours) Per $2K spent by NSCSS: 1% growth plus an additional 0.5% growth equivalent through improved retention.

Member Processing

Improved member processing and dues notification can be expected to increase net growth by 6%. Initial year investment is 510 hours. Subsequent year maintenance is 130 hrs/yr.

1. Expand welcome process to regional directors follow up (10 hrs/yr). 0.5% growth equivalent through improved retention.
2. Contact, survey the 2-400 members who have allowed membership to lapse. Evaluate. Report to Board. Respond. (100 hrs/1st yr, 20 hrs/yr after that). 1% growth equivalent through retention.
3. Increase number of renewal notice mailings. 1% growth equivalent through retention.
4. RegOnline will ... (3.5%/yr)
   1. ...make it easier to join. Required 400 hours in 2007 including event processing setup), and will require 100 hrs/year maintenance in subsequent years. Anticipate 2% growth as a result.
   2. ...make it easier to renew. Anticipating 1.5% growth equivalent through improved retention.

Improve Existing Processes

Improving our existing processes and increasing our interaction with affiliated organizations could add 6% growth with an investment of 1220 hrs/yr and travel costs of $4000/year.

1. Regional directors attend state association meetings, contribute to state association newsletters. (100 hrs/yr) 1% growth.
2. SSSA interaction ($3000 travel expenses, 200 hrs/yr) 0.5% growth
3. NCSS liaison. ($1000 travel expenses, 200 hrs/yr) 1% growth
   1. Contact each State Soil Scientist, convey list of members who rely on NCSS standards. Encourage as potential state and regional liaison candidates. 0.75%
   2. Point out that NRCS MOU encourages NSCSS membership by NRCS Soil Scientists. 0.25%
4. *NCSS liason - state and regional (follow-up on 3a - high potential, high commitment required)*
5. NCSS Technical Materials distribution. (20 hrs/yr) 0.25%
6. USCSSA liaison (100 hr/yr) 1.0%
   1. Participate in USCSSA meetings (20 hrs/yr) 0.5%
   2. Help improve/maintain USCSSA's consultants list. (Work in progress) (80 hrs/yr) 0.5%
7. 4 Newsletters per year (80 hrs/yr). 0.25%
8. Web Projects: (520 hrs/yr) 2.0%
   1. Improve website usability (200 hrs/yr). 0.50%
   2. Expand member biographies (80 hrs/yr). 0.25%
   3. Revive Soil Science portal (40 hrs/yr). 0.25%
   4. Update member directory frequently (adds 200 hrs/yr) 0.50%

      note: 8d complements 6b.

Create New Processes

Advertising could add 1.0% growth. Initial year investment is 130 hours and $5000 in combined design costs and advertising fees. Subsequent years' maintenance is 100 hrs/yr and $2000/yr in fees.

1. Design ads (30 hrs $2500/1st yr)
2. Advertise in Soil Survey Horizons. (30 hrs,  $1000/yr) 0.5% growth.
3. Advertise in selected state soil science association newsletters. (70 hrs, $1000/yr) 0.5% growth.