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Task 1: Collect and Analyze Member Survey Data
The team will create and distribute surveys to current and former BSA members to measure their satisfaction, level of involvement, and reasons for either staying or leaving the organization. The results will be compiled and analyzed to identify patterns that reveal key factors influencing retention.
Task 2: Identify Leadership Perspectives through Leadership Interviews
We will interview BSA officers and other members of leadership to understand the organization’s current strategies for member engagement and recognize the challenges they have faced in keeping members involved. These interviews will help identify gaps between leadership expectations and member experiences.
Task 3: Observe BSA Meetings and Events
Team members will attend and observe BSA meetings and events to evaluate member participation, leadership interaction, and event organization. Observations will be recorded in brief field notes, focusing on engagement, communication, and turnout trends.
Task 4: Review Historical Attendance and Membership Records
We will request access to past attendance or membership data to identify patterns in engagement across semesters. Comparing these data points from the general meetings and the branch meetings will help the team determine whether participation has improved or declined and during which periods.
Task 5: Examine Student Organization Retention Models Utilizing Secondary Research
The team will review academic literature that explains why students stay engaged in campus organizations and what motivates them to continue participating. Foundational theories will include Tinto’s Completing College: Rethinking Institutional Action (2012), which connects retention to belonging and academic integration, and Astin’s Involvement Theory (1984), which links student success to active participation in campus life. Kuh and O’Donnell’s Ensuring Quality and Taking High-Impact Practices to Scale (2013) will offer insight into how purposeful, hands-on experiences increase satisfaction and commitment. Finally, the article written by Gilani, McArthur, and Thomas, The Promise and Limitations of Student Belonging as a Predictor of Retention (2024), will provide a modern perspective on how belonging and identity influence persistence. Together, these sources will guide the team’s understanding of what factors most affect member retention in the Biomedical Sciences Association and help shape evidence-based recommendations for improvement.
Task 6: Develop and Evaluate Proposed Retention Strategies
Based on data collected, the team will draft specific, realistic strategies for improving retention, such as new event formats, mentorship programs, or officer communication practices. These strategies will then be reviewed with BSA leadership for feedback and feasibility.
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