Afraid to Grow?

This is a very valid point that many Kiwanians must have thought about over the years.

A comfort zone builds up around a club and anything that threatens it is not welcome.

The threat isn't necessarily new members per se but new ideas or suggestions about what are we really doing as a club? Are we really doing what we say we are doing?

Who amongst us really wants our motives questioned or exposed? How many of us are afraid of improvements?

Our club is interested in making our SLP advisors members of the club but have heard conflicting information on which fund we take the membership dues out of: Admin or Service. Can someone shed some light on whether we use admin funds or can out a line item in our SLP budget to cover advisor dues.

I know many Kiwanians who are very open to new members joining their club and bringing with them new ideas for projects, etc.  But these same Kiwanians are not the people who will be "out there" recruiting the new members.  It's not that they aren't proud of their club - it's just that they are not sales oriented people.  It's the same with helping to open a new Kiwanis club.  People can be the "best", most active Kiwanians ever, but if they don't have that sales personality, they really feel uncomfortable trying to "sell" Kiwanis to others.  Maybe we need to offer salesmanship workshops at our conventions, both district and international.

A lot of Clubs are "Afraid to Grow" because they can not stand to see a new member leave after a few meetings.because we did not give them a quality experiience.

The reason this happens is our Club Leadership Training does not get to the nuts and bolts of running a club.  It has turned into a pep rally and our clubs no longer feel that kind of training is relevant.

If all our Clubs Leaders had the training on how to run a club that would make it "The Club of Choice" then membership would come.

I believe the statement "Afraid to Grow" is not a positive one for Kiwanis.  Clubs don't grow due to complacency (as others have stated) as well as members being too busy (if there was stronger value in the benefit their club offered, being busy wouldn't matter).  

In the past few years, our club has had a renewed energy and positive value within it.  Our members are communicating more with each other, other clubs and their neighbors.  

I believe clubs grow when energy grows.  Members must believe in the service they offer, enjoy the company of fellow members (if only at meetings) and laugh!  Kiwanis clubs should be fun, exciting and not boring....Ours is WONDERFUL!  Though each member is different, the mutual respect for the differences and the long range goals of serving our children is what keeps our club growing and bringing in more visitors and new members!

Hi Stan,

I did a make-up CLE this weekend and someone mentioned that Kiwanis now has Club satellites—where a small group of potential Kiwanis members exists but is unable to meet as part of an existing club or membership is too small to be a separate club.

Can you tell me more or send out info?

Thanks,

I have just started my presidency Oct.1 and am pushing growth but feel the reluctance.  They keep asking me if this person is going to be a good member and so on.  You don't know who is going to be a good member, but you have to keep on trying.  My goal is to reach 40  by the end of the year and I think I'll make it we started at next week we will be 37 and I have 5 recruits lined up.  I hope it works out.  I'm glad I'm only president of a club and not the U.S.  Ha! Ha!

In reading the above comments, no one mentioned programs.  Not to take anything away from service projects, but to get someone in the door you must be offering something of value.  The value of attending a meeting is the program and fellowship.  Many programs are of little interest to the potenital member.  He does not want to hear pleas for help from other non-profit organizations.  He wants to hear from interesting people on interesting topics.  The question to be asked is whether the guest will have learned something that he/she can use.  

Upgrade your programs and then invite guests you think that will want to listen to the speaker's topic.

At the meeting, the guest should see the club's fellowship and become excited about joining.  But the club needs to look at its programs and valuate their content.

I am just enjoying reading all of your comments.

The value of this blog is for board members, like myself, to stay in tuned with the pulse of the membership.

Please spread the word and encourage others to participate.

Sylvester Neal; VP: Membership -co-chair.

I have found your comments so very pertinent. Our club is facing a membership crisis. Younger members have not been interested in joining. The club runs on all the old principals and until recently sang the old songs. We have implimented better speakers, dropped the songs, and we are working on improving the lunch menu. We did a survey, and our members want to be engaged, network, share, contribute to the community, eat healthy food, and have fun. It is that simple. With a few good sales people we have recently inducted 7 new members. This summer we are doing a "Lunch and Learn" where we have great dynamic business coaches and speakers take the floor for 40 minutes, with a brief 15 minute meeting. This summer is for the members. Then it is back to basics in the Fall. Everyone is excited. We are also trying to get a group to see a Red Sox game- just to have fun together.