Parties with a large membership base have higher chances of participating successfully in the political contest, winning elections and exerting influence on the formation of political opinion. But how can parties gain new members?
Many people are interested in politics because they know that their own living conditions are determined by it; they would therefore like to contribute and take part in decisions in a more direct way. Many of those people wait for the parties to approach them.
Personal contact is the best way to approach politically interested people and to persuade them to join a party. A carefully prepared home visit that is conducted with politeness and discretion can facilitate the decision to join a party. The "promoter" should therefore bring along and introduce some party documentation: publications of the party (for example, the basic and most recent election programme), a letter of introduction by the party leader, a membership form and some advertising and other material of the party.