We use three words when deciding on a program speaker.

Educational

Entertaining

Provacative

If our speaker can not be at least 2 of the 3 then we move on.  We try to have all 3 and that is when you have the best speakers.

Mike

Each month at the first meeting of the month, we recognize all members who have their birthday during that month.  We started by the committee chairpeople doing some sleuthing to find out information about the individual and then went to a "newlywed" type game and now have the individual pick 5 questions out of a hat to answer.  We have a birthday cake as well for dessert on that night.  It has become one of our most popular meetings...everyone likes to celebrate and learn something new about their fellow Kiwanians.

There is no doubt that a good speaker is important to a successful meeting.  A good way to find a great speaker is through interclubbing.  Our club has found many great speakers this way.  Also, a good way to learn  about your fellow Kiwanians is to have a "Tell it in two" session on your meeting agenda.  Each meeting, someone is tasked by the president ahead of the meeting to stand up and "Tell it in two", where he speaks extemporaneously about himself/herself and their background and experiences.  The speaking limit is two minutes, and of course going over that time limit results in a quarter fine assessed by the Sgt-at-arms.  All in good fun.