Kiwanis International isn’t alone in its efforts to attract new demographics and grow its membership. But in a recent USA Today article addressing changes in service organizations, Kiwanis is showcased for changes the organization is making to attract new members.
The article, by reporter Haya El Nasser, describes how service organizations have experienced membership declines and are examining ways to appeal to younger, time-crunched prospective members. Nasser uses the Kiwanis Club of DC Metro Young Professionals as an anecdotal example and in the story’s photos. She quotes DC Metro president Emily Casto and Kiwanis International CEO Rob Parker throughout her article.
Emily describes how her club has just one monthly business meeting—no longer than 45 minutes—organizes four or five service projects per month, doesn’t take attendance or require participation in a set number of projects, and uses meetup.com and a Google group to organize itself.
“We’re trying to make (Kiwanis) fit into their lifestyles,” Rob tells USA Today. “We’re making it more flexible and more available.”
“…The next generation is very community oriented and very savvy … They learn that it’s not all about them. They’re much more global in their thinking. They know about AIDS in Africa and what’s happening in Sudan.”
Posted
Nov 15 2007, 04:32 PM
by
Scott Smith