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Leadership Matters » Things I know, that you may not

Things I know, that you may not

Every month I send out a communication to some of the district leadership in which I always leave at least a little space for talking about things I know about, simply because I’m at headquarters, that they may find interesting.  I thought some of the Kiwanians in the blogosphere may also find some of this information interesting so I will occasionally be posting these nuggets our here in the leadership matters blog.

  • As of April 1st, the Michigan District is leading all North American districts in growth.
  • Last month we asked clubs if they supported 4-H in some way and 11% responded in the affirmative.
  • The month before, we asked our clubs if they participate with, or support, the Boy Scouts of America and 29% responded that they do.
  • 990 filing is required by every club in the US.  Although there is no penalty for filing late, if you don’t file within three years you can lose your 501c4 tax status.
  • We’ve opened 25% more new clubs to date than we did this time last year.
Posted Apr 02 2009, 03:32 PM by Jeffrey Oatess

Comments

Charles Ziegler wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-02-2009 6:44 PM

Jeff,  Is there anything specifically that the Michigan District is doing for growth that we could share with everyone else?

Michael Henriques wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-06-2009 12:06 PM

I joined Kiwanis when it was Sservice Club . 26.august,1989,

I look back with hasppy memories Days &  Nights spent in Fellowship & Service.

When I became President of my Club The Kiwanis Club Of Kingston .we did projects that cought the attention of the News Media.   Our Club had  record  growth.  F ocus on meaningfull projects, growth will follow.  We have lost our way.  Talk to me.

Yours in Kiwanis      

Charles Ziegler wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-07-2009 3:21 PM

Michael, You hit the nail on the head.  Service is exactly where we should be focusing our efforts.  The number one reason people join Kiwanis is to do service in their community.  We just have to get better at inviting others to join us in service projects and then make sure we extend an invitation for them to visit our club.  Making sure service projects are "meaningful" is another challenge clubs really need to look at.

Josh Barnett wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-10-2009 4:54 PM

I am very encouraged and excited by these stats, please keep them coming!

Alan Dailey wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-15-2009 12:26 PM

The secret to membership growth is to recognize the need for change.  We sent 4 or our members to Kentucky to assist President Don with club building to learn his proven methods.

We then had Don do a Growth Summit here in the District and followed the enthusiasm he generated with immediate efforts to ask people to join existing clubs, prioritize the top five locations for a new club, and inventory clubs that have disbanded recently to see if revival was possible.

Those efforts combined have generated positive results exceeding past performance in last ten years.

My advice...invite Don to come to your District and follow his methods.

Jeffrey Oatess wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-16-2009 10:28 AM

Charles,

The post above me is from Al Dailey who is the Executive Director of the Michigan District.  He does a great job stating what their district is doing this year that is successful.

I also talked to Kathy at the Michigan District office and she attributes their success this year to opening new clubs.  They have a Governor and New Club Building Chairman who are both passionate about building clubs.  It all starts with great leadership!

Patricia Walters wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-20-2009 10:35 PM

I have a question regarding membership and service hours: PSA's on television have lately been tying volunteer service hours to government help with student loans. Is Kiwanis aware of this program? If so, is there any way that volunteer service hours with Kiwanis can be established as qualifying for the program? This would be an EXCELLENT recruiting tool! Thank you...

Jeffrey Oatess wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-24-2009 8:15 AM

Patricia,

Yes, in fact, Key Club service hours have worked for years for the volunteer service scholarship by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Monna Pauley wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-25-2009 9:25 PM

Is there any new infromation for us concerning moving from

501 C4 to 501 C3?

Our President insists that being a 501 C4 means we will never be a 501 C3.  Do you have anything to help me convience him otherwise?

Thank you, Monna

Jeffrey Oatess wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-27-2009 6:36 PM

Monna,  

It is possible for an entity (formally 501c4) to request, and be given, 501c3 tax classification.  I know of organizations that have been successful in doing so.

We are still is conversations with the Internal Revenue Service and seem to be coming to the end.  Although I'm not very optimistic, we will see this process through to the end, be it favorable or otherwise.

Monna Pauley wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 04-28-2009 11:55 PM

Thank you for the quick response and 1 loud clap from all of us for all of the hours and work you have already put in and will put in trying to get the 501c3 status.

THANK YOU,

Monna

Rebecca Pettengill wrote re: Things I know, that you may not
on 05-20-2009 7:46 PM

As a President in Michigan District, Don Canaday's presentation did help me to change how I thought about inviting people into Kiwanis.  I began to look at my contacts differently, thinking more about whose mission matches than trying to sell us as a great networking opportunity.  And I've successfully recruited three new members into the club.  Now the key is helping them identify a passion within the club so that they become more engaged.  We've focused on adding younger members and have been successful, however, younger members have more restrictive jobs and busier home lives.  Stay tuned........

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