Keep them coming back

Encourage the young members to be a kiwanis member and show them, how we enjoy being a kiwanis - while serving the community at the same time having fun doing it.

Our club has several older members in their 70's and 80's and I understand their concern about new members coming in taking over and causing the club to fail after their years of success but...they are getting old.  This group puts on the county fair.  I am a farmer and have been certified as a livestock volunteer through 4-h, I have shown livestock in the fair so naturally I assumed when I joined they would want me involved with the livestock portion of the fair.  My assignment was "guard" over the exit of the building where the majority of displays are.  There are guards over the display so that basically you would need a drill moter to remove the guard in order to steal anything.  I was also asked to keep the bathrooms cleaned.  I was not given plastic gloves, bathroom cleaner, or even a key to open and add paper towels and toilet paper in the rest rooms, I was given a broom, no dust pan. I was not given a radio to contact anyone should there have been a problem, I was told to run to the other end of the building or yell for help, yes radios were available to other members.  I wound up bringing trash bags, cleaner, and tools to get the job done from my own resources and paying for the items to keep the restrooms clean.  I refused to clean the urine from the mens room which was about 2 inches deep by the end of the fair. I went to male members of the club that I knew would clean up the mess in the mens room.   I did keep the ladies room clean, I am female. The building where I sat did not have air conditioning and the temps loomed over 90 degrees during the fair.  I had one fan.  It was miserable and some nights I was there from 4 to 10 with nobody to give me a break and if those in charge caught me taking one anyway they didn't offer to take over to give me the break, they snapped at me for leaving the area to get a drink. Most people wouldn't work in those conditions for pay!   I decided to go to the livestock shows anyway and help where I could.  I was there every morning in the livestock barn at 7:30 am helping to fill out paper work, working with the people showing, in the ring handing out ribbons, and running for ice for coolers, keeping hand wipes for the judges...and stayed until the livestock shows were concluded and in some cases had a 1 hour rest before my bathroom duty which I did until 10:00 PM. The one day I was the only Kiwanis member in the livestock barn because everyone was exhausted or busy.   I felt used and abused.  When they give out there assignments next year I will let them know that I will do the livestock shows only.  I will be happy to promote the livestock shows before the fair and work with the various registries to make sure the proper paper work is filled out and that we comply with all state and federal laws.  I'm kind of stubborn.  We lost one of our 18 members this week because of frustration over the fair assignments and the way the member was talked to by other members.  I have told the one or two that have bothered to ask I will not serve on the board of directors or as a VP, or President, neither will my husband.  Why??? because anytime I express an opinion or ask a question it is met with a rude put down type remark.  Why do I stay in the club? I am good friends with 1 whose step-father has been in the club longer than any of the other members, he isn't the oldest, but has the longest membership record.  I am there supporting the one.  I have worked in children's ministry for over 20 years, have volunteered with cub scouts, 4-H, and military youth programs and I know the money raised by our small group is needed by the community and because these bossy individuals can't possibly do the dirty work alone. I don't want to see the club fold up but if somebody somehow doesn't get through to the 4-6 individuals  that are being overbearing I don't see how we can ever get more new members. The majority of the membership are family members of the older members and I am just an outsider in the group and always will be unless we can get more members from outside of their families.  I am frustrated.  I honestly would like to transfer to another club in our area but we have a major fundraising even coming up in the fall and there we will be stretched to get the work done with myself and my husband working 8 to 20 days during the event, they need us.  I'm not sure anyone actually enjoys this club.  The food served at the meetings is horrible and for the most part the members growl back and forth at each other, sing one song, say the pledge and prayer as fast as they can, get the meal ate, and try to get out of the meetings.  I don't know how but for some reason I have grown to love the group even with all of their faults.

New Members come in knowing we are a Service club-- They expect to be doing some form of Service. We need to get them busy right away so they become an important part of the Club. Recognize often.-- Good Orientation is so vital.