Using new technology?

We have a Facebook club group with 44 of our members signed on.  We post weekly meetings and group topics there.  We have a twitter feed (colskiwanis) that we try to use to promote our events and get media attention.  We are also on LinkedIn with a group and have our own club website.

All of these tools are great for attracting and communicating with members who want to use them and aren't necessary for the members who don't want to use them - a winning combination for the "member experience."

Do we get greater involvement? Debatable, since committees still meet before our regular weekly luncheons.  We do keep in touch better, however, and are able to communicate more effectively with everyone, so I feel it's a move in the right direction and a necessity to keep in touch with younger professionals.

Scott Lindsey, President

Kiwanis Club of Columbus

Ohio District

I'm curious about experiences from others trying to use the new capabilities at kiwanis.org. We recently attempted to seek a club using the web site, to find that our club seemingly doesn't exist on the web site even though we posted it over a year ago.  If we're to use this web site effectively, I suggest that we need to be more proactive in debugging our capabilities, and in getting good response when bugs are reported to KI.  Has anyone else had these problems, and if so what luck did you have with resolution?  I'm a former IT instructor, so know the game and the way to play, but am having little luck iwth our new KI capabilities.  Others?  I'd welcome suggestions on how to succeed.

The Kiwanis Club of LaGrange GA has a Facebook page. So far we have a few brave individuals who have joined Facebook.  I keep the announcements and club's projects listed. Our mailing address is also displayed along with the club's website address. Those who have joined seem to like this new media for our club.

Wanda Stribling

Secretary

Kiwanis Club of LaGrange, GA

Doris, we would be pleased to check into why your club's Web site is not showing in the club locator Find-a-Club search tool.  If you would, email your club name, Key Number, and URL to internet@kiwanis.org so that we can help.

Were trying everything in our club. We currently are on Myspace, Second Life, and our own website. I am trying to do live video feed from Stikam. I cant say its popular with members yet but we will be ready when it does. I wish we had a IPOD App.

All of these technological advantages are great, except when you are a member of a club with an average age of 76+. Most of my club's members do not even have a computer nor do they wish to obtain one. Because of that, there is a need to continue to use the old fashioned method of communication if we are to retain these members.  

i have set up a new Facebook group for the New Zealand-South Pacific District and in just 2 weeks we have had 20 members join the group.  Hoping nad working for more to join us.

We made strides in the last couple of years with technology (mostly because of the increase of new members in their 20s and 30s).

Right now club our website is mostly geared to potential members and the community as a whole.  Members can find information like our club calendar on there, but for the most part the club website is all about attracting new members and bringing in guests.

We’ve been running a “fan” page on Facebook for about nine months now.  We originally intended for this to be a tool for our club members but since it was launched the audience has taken on a much larger scope.  Our “fans” include community members as well as Circle K and Key Club members.  It has been a nice tool for broadcasting news and events about the club to a much larger audience than just our own membership.

Alan, I think it is great that you created a Facebook page for your club. The more that join - the more fun and informational it will be.

I also agree with Ray about the older members not being computer savvy. Sometimes we have to accomodate both type of members. Even though our club emails our newslettter (bulletin) to members, we also print it and hand it out to the older crowd who do not own computers.

Kiwanis Club of Republic, MO  I am really interested in using Face Book as a tool to connect and network with other clubs.  We have some new members that will be a big help in getting a Key Club started. It seems the younger someone is on FB the more freinds they have.  That shows me it will be an effective tool for seeking new members.  Both for our club and the new Key Club.  You can find me on FB wih the e-mail address:  onepking@alltel.net  

Our group is now on Facebook and have a website. We have had a lot of older members who do not even own a computer so it has been hard to get people to build or up keep it. We are hoping to reach younger members and help get the word out about our community involvment.

The younger generations are very computer savvy and network through the web. I believe if Kiwanis would like to keep up we need to look at making our place known in that area

Our club started using the facebook group right after we heard about it at convention. We put up coming events, links to our key club facebook, KI facebook and many other links.

We also update with quick summary our Tuesday meeting and events with projects and photos. We do not have all members connected as of yet but  we are working on it.