Quack-Quack: Sending Your Ducks to Eagle School

Proposed members should attend 3 meetings prior to their accepance by the Board.  Examine methods used by Past Presidents Tony Kaiser & Bo Shafer.  Members should be able to afford the time tallent and financial support required.  Choosing the right members will ensure the continuity of the Kiwanis ideals & will result in committed members attending well planned meetings.  It is better to sacrifice numbers on the alter of Quality

Rob, you are correct in the assertion that people should be a good fit for the program, else the program suffers and the people are not happy. A good example of this is someone who is uncomfortable working with kids, and while the focus of Kiwanis is helping children, these people can be better utilized in other programs rather than direct services.

Michael, I have to take exception to precluding those that don't meet certain preconceived ideas. Every person I meet, regardless of situation has something to give, whether it is time, money, or talent. Some of the most generous people I have ever met are those whose financial position probably wouldn't muster under your plan. People, regardless of their lot in life, can be a positive influence on children, and the opportunity should be theirs to prove they want to help children.

yes rob....i have experienced this phenomenon....mostly in kiwanis...i was once the president of my club....dealing with people this club with different professions and a very young age group at that, is very hard.....most of them are very idelistic....as the president, i tried to listen and learn their talents, their know how and capabilities..... then basing on what i'ved learned from them,i assigned them on the best positions on each monthly projects that we have agreed...on this, everybody will have their shares on each job and dont have to worry differences.....

Rob,

Thanks for the reminder. I been trying to "herd" some ducks lately. I did learn an additional trait of the ducks. If an eagle tries to fit in with the ducks, they will soon start attacking the eagle and drown him.

Michael,I read with interest your comment regarding proposed members. I believe if I had been required to comply with those requirements, I would have never joined Kiwanis. It was the service project that captured me. I, like many others, had not been introduced to something quite like what I experienced when I attended a club service project. In fact, it was so foreign to me, it took awhile for me to get in touch with the feelings I felt and even longer to discern the Blessings I received by participating--none of which would have happened if I had requirements to attend 3 meetings (especially some of the club meetings I have experienced since)

Hi, Rob - regarding Quack Quack.  Ducks do fly!  I live in an area surrounded by wetlands, and I frequently see mallards flying overhead.  No, they probably don't soar, but they certainly do fly.

I have been reading the Ducks & Eagles comments and quite enjoyed the references.  As a Past Governor it was educational to be part of a Team having both Ducks and Eagles.  Some Eagles soared and others never left their branch and just enjoyed the view.  The Ducks moved from pond to pond and several flew beyond their expectations.  The most amazing and enjoyable part of the year was listening to the Ducks Quack and Quack and how the Eagles enjoyed their their company.

Chuckles

I take a different read on this question. When you send a Duck to Eagle school, they learn "not much". You cannot make a duck into an eagle

The same scenario applies to our leadership.  When you send our President Elect to CLE, he/she should be able to expect training on how to run a successful Kiwanis Club and not on how to build new Clubs.

To me, growth and club re-vitalization begins at CLE. CLE should not be a pep rally for building new Clubs, but it should teach all our leaders how to make their club "The Club of Choice

While to grow there are three things we as Kiwanians need to do .1. Retain what we have. 2. Recruit new members. 3. Build new Clubs...

When we get all our Ducks lined, the Eagles will come.