When you share the value of IFT with your friends and colleagues you are helping to make our community of science of food professionals stronger and more vibrant. When you combine your network with IFT’s, you are making a positive contribution to advancing food science and the future of food.
Refer a colleague so we can strengthen our ability to work together in advancing the science of food and the profession.
Share. Let your colleagues know how you advance your career with information from IFT’s publications and newsletters, by gaining leadership skills and giving back through volunteer opportunities, and being able to connect and collaborate with science of food professionals from around the world... and that they can do the same thing!
Refer. Have them include you as the referring member on their application when they join IFT and you will be entered to win a free annual membership.
We have tools and resources you can use when you talk about IFT, including reasons people join IFT and templated messages you can send to share the benefits of IFT membership.
Be familiar with the many IFT membership types and benefits. IFT is the catalyst for food science and technology professionals - from the latest food trend information, discounts on educational programming, to opportunities for professional interaction... IFT is your association, and who better to explain the benefits than you, one of our dedicated members.
Show your enthusiasm by sharing first-hand accounts of how your membership in IFT has been a rewarding experience. Prospective members will be much more likely to join if they can relate to how you have benefited from membership.
Show prospective members the value of IFT membership by sending them to ift.org. The website contains valuable information about IFT and our member benefits.
Following up with prospective members is just as important as your initial contact. Call them, email them, send a letter, or drop by to see if they have joined and answer questions they may have. Sample email and letter messages are provided below.
Send a note or email thanking the prospective member for considering membership in IFT. The more contact they have with you, a current IFT member, the more likely they will be to join and stay involved!
Below are sample letters and reasons to join IFT, for you to send to prospective members. Please edit as needed.
Dear [NAME],
I think I've mentioned to you before that I belong to the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).
IFT is the largest food science-related organization in the world, and it's the place where everyone from the food profession comes together. There are professionals like us, as well those involved in: food science, R&D professionals, chemists, microbiologists, QA/QC folks, regulatory affairs experts, academics, brand managers, marketing, technical sales, and executive management, just to name a few.
I can't begin to tell you what a valuable resource IFT has been for making professional contacts and advancing my career. I've met some really wonderful people that I probably wouldn't have gotten to know if it weren't for my involvement in IFT. It's also been a great source for unbiased information on what's going on in the food industry.
If you have a moment, check it out by visiting ift.org. If you'd like to talk with me about my personal experience with IFT, give me a call or drop me an e-mail when you get a chance.
Thanks!
[YOUR NAME]
Dear [NAME],
I just wanted to follow up with you on our conversation about IFT. As you could probably tell, I think it's a great organization for food professionals like us.
There are more narrowly focused organizations out there, and they certainly have value. But for people like us who have to understand what's going on in more than just our specific area of the food industry, nothing beats IFT.
If you haven't had a chance to check out their website (ift.org) yet, I'd encourage you to see what's there. And if you want to talk more about why I'm such an advocate of IFT, just give me a call or send me an e-mail.
Talk to you soon,
[YOUR NAME]
