Kiwanis Clubs need to attract youth

Pembroke, Canada, Daily Observer
http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1323631

The Kiwanis Club of Pembroke received some good news and bad news from its division lieutenant governor.

Glenn Pushman told the club its chapter is in good shape with an active membership that is integral to the community. However, the forecast elsewhere is not so rosy.

In recent years, membership has declined in the Kiwanis Eastern Canada -Caribbean District dropping from 10,000 to 8,600. In Division 13, which includes the Ottawa Valley and the western portion of Ottawa, membership has fallen from 431 members to 309.

Ottawa has seen five clubs go under, while at least six have less than 15 members on their rosters.

"Certainly, we are declining," said Mr. Pushman, who will be succeeded next year by Pembroke Kiwanis Club past-president Jay McLaren.

The main problem is Kiwanis is not attracting youth. Clubs are attracting new members with an average age between 50 and 60, with fewer Key Club high school members seeking to continue with the organization after graduation.

Mr. Pushman illustrated how bad times have gotten for some Kiwanis organizations noting that the night before he oversaw the dissolution of the 65- year-old Brockville club. "They had nobody there, the spark was gone," said Mr. Pushman.

The district recently studied the problem and found the cost of membership is proving too high for some to stick with the club.

Interviews done with exiting members showed some found the club's rituals to be old fashion and outdated, while others saw Kiwanis as a male dominated organization.

There has also been a substantial lack of training for new officers. Clubs tend to have to compete with other activities within the community, he said, while many exist solely for social reasons and offer no incentive to foster new growth. Then there are clubs whose memberships suffer from burnout because they take on more projects than they can handle.

Kiwanis is pursuing some courses of action to stem the membership slide. The organization is recommending membership costs be reduced and that some clubs amalgamate. He estimated 600 members could focus on major projects if clubs pooled their resources.

Kiwanis may also seek alliances with other service organizations and form new clubs in a bid to expand membership.

One pilot project Mr. Pushman is keen on is the launch of a young professional’s wing of Kiwanis, which would appeal to people ages 18 to 35.

As far as creating a new club in each division, he said Deep River might be a possible destination but nothing has been initiated.

Pembroke Kiwanis President Rick Duncan said he appreciates the vote of confidence from the lieutenant governor. He said the area Kiwanis club, which currently has 62 members, has been able to thrive because it has an active membership that wants to be part of the organization. The focus remains to promote the well-being of children through charity, fundraising, the Key and Builders Clubs.

"We've got a large history, we're active and we're getting new members," said Mr. Duncan. "Membership is the health of the club."