Service organizations fight declining membership

Indianapolis, Indiana, The Star
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/LOCAL1802/808210363/1195/LOCAL18

Lions and Kiwanis clubs, Shriners and other service organizations are pondering their futures as membership dwindles and average ages grow older.

Younger people are not replacing longtime members, who are finding it more difficult to summon the strength to continue with their many fundraisers, some club members say.

Pike Township Lions Club President David Straughn estimated that membership is down by more than half from the club's 1960s glory days, with members averaging age 70.

Many once-popular club events, such as the Country Fair in Pike, are gone because of a lack of volunteers and the lessened ability of members to endure the physical labor required.

Joedy Isert, spokesman for Northwestside-based Kiwanis International, said that while there has been a slight uptick in membership in the past couple of years, overall totals have been dropping steadily for several years.

Society moves at a faster pace and families with both parents work, Straughn and Isert noted, leaving little time for other activities.

Straughn also said many younger residents give back to their communities in other ways, such as coaching their kids' softball games.

Internet meetings are growing in popularity, though, Isert said.

“Kiwanis took a hard look around and saw times, needs and people changing, and decided we need to change with them,” he said.

“While we’ve still got the classic Kiwanis, we’re exploring new ways to be a member of Kiwanis. We have clubs that meet on the Internet, so there’s no physical meeting, per se, but they do get together to do their service projects.”

Also, more service clubs could combine their efforts, Straughn suggested.

“Since we’re not as strong individually anymore, maybe we need to team up with other groups and congregations,” he said. “Maybe that way we can get strong again.”