Rob --
Thanks for the "Fishing or Catching" blog -- that hit the nail on the head for our club discussion this week! We are a very "senior" club, and losing members to the Great Kiwanis Club in the sky. Young prospects may join us, then switch to the Kiwanis Club with young professionals in it. I think we are "catching" the wrong size fish, and need to aim at "longer" fish -- but did you know, old people don't seem to like people their own age!
Every club I have ever been in (I am 70, and have lived a lot of places), recruitment discouraged people. Getting the idea across that a "No" simply means that the person has other commitments, and it isn't personal, is apparently difficult. All recruitment is a game, or a sport if you will -- see how many times you can cast a perfect arc, and sometimes a fish results. The game is fishing, however. The game is not catching. It may be, that there are more benefits to Kiwanis for fishing than we can know. At any rate, it never hurts to talk to as many people as possible about Kiwanis, even if catching never results! (But it will!)
Thanks for all you do.
Patricia
Rob
Nice subject, Fishing and catching. We could move that a little further by calling it Fishing, (Toot your own horn by having great meetings and projects. younger people do not want to feel their time is being wasted) Catching, they came as a guest (remember you have to invite them (until you receive a yes, you have not had enough people say no) Prepareing what you caught (doing nothing your catch will spoil thats leaving Kiwanis.) Preparing should include a real good welcome, They leave with a marketing kit in had with a club brochure, Kiwanis International brochure. along with a membership application in the front pocket. I the back pocket have the booklet changing tomorrow toda. (HINT: cut off 3/16 of an inch from the right side so it will neetly fit into the pocket). Also have a business card in the back pocket holder. Be sure and get the visitors name and follow up 2-3 days latter. Now you got the application it is time to feed them a gourmet meal 1. A good preinduction orientation, get them on a committee and on a project, put them in some sort of leadership role, Get them in line to become President. Be sure and thank them for all they do
Swede, kiwanis Club of Astoria- Warrenton Oegon
You never know what you might "catch" if you continue to throw your hook [bait] in the water.
I like to think that we should operate on the "100" rule -
A salesman going door to door comes to a porch, rings the bell, and is greeted by a woman who immediately says " I don't want anything, don't bother me, go away." As the saleman turns away, she stops him to ask, "Why do you have that great big grin on your face?" "Madam, I make one sale for every 100 people I approach. You're number 99."