Ponderings from a Reader … Attracting Young Convention Delegates

Ann Backes Dodge recently sent this as a response to my blog of a few weeks ago. Thinking that not all might read it I am making it a blog post of its own. It is very worthwhile reading!

“Most members of our district have heard of the TAG (Together Achieving Growth) initiative encouraged by Kiwanis International. Clubs in our district have struggled with membership in recent years and since the District Kiwanis Convention in Moorhead, I have been pondering.

I have been involved with our district since 1984, serving on the Key Club District Board, the Circle K District Board, as Club President and the District Circle K Administrator. I have seen much during my years and have valued every event I have participated in.

At the District Convention in August, I presented a forum with Mary Beth Townsend and Dawn Fairbrother regarding our Sponsored Youth Program. The forum was very well attended and afterwards I had some of the younger Kiwanians attending approach me regarding attendance of younger members at convention.

This began my pondering. As the Circle K Administrator I educate our members that Circle K is a service organization; however the club, the district, International need to operate as a business and board members must think as business owners. So, I ask, who is our target market? Who do we want as members in our organization? What do we need to do to attract them to our organization?

This year as President of the Grand Rapids Noon Kiwanis Club, I met with the President Elect and Secretary to create a 2 year plan based on increasing membership and hands on service projects as we wanted to target younger members. I am very proud of my club as we have +7 members this year! It took the whole club to achieve this; each member had to buy in to our plan.

We worked hard to have programs that would be of interest to the business owners, managers, healthcare professionals etc in our club. Programs were on business management tips, what is happening with healthcare in our area, retirement planning, as well as programs dealing with issues within our community.

So, going back to my conversation with the two younger Kiwanians at the District Convention had me pondering about what topics or issues would attract younger Kiwanians to our District Convention? What would members think of having Saturday morning sessions focused on Kiwanis Education and the afternoon sessions focused on things that effect them in business and the workplace or their personal life? Ideas that came to mind were having business management tips for our business owners and managers. What about learning some business law or liability issues? Having accountant talk about our favorite subject taxes? Could be business related or personal? A healthcare professional? Business Coach? Insurance professional?

How do we attract younger Kiwanians to participate in our District Convention?”

Ramp up Recruiting

This coming year clubs in the Minnesota Dakotas District need to get real serious about membership growth. Subsequent blogs will emphasize new club building and new member recruitment. This entry has ideas sent by Dennis Harris, Past Lt. Governor from Region 7. He lists great ideas other clubs might find helpful. Thanks for sending the list, Denny.

“Here are nine ideas our club uses to increase membership. I thought that they may be of some help to you! I belong to the North Suburban Golden K Kiwanis club of St. Paul.> 1. Have a membership committee with a chairman.
> 2. Pick a day each month when your club meets and make it guest day.
> 3. Have a thermometer like the United Way does, and when a new member
> joins you can add one piece to it.
> 4. Have a goal on how many new members you will recruit for the Kiwanis
> year.
> 5. Encourage all members to invite guests, friends, and relatives.
> 6. Make sure the goal is met each year.
> 7. Most of all engage all new members in activities of one kind or another
> in your club.
> 8. Last but not least remind all members that your club needs new members
> to grow and to stay vital.
> 9. Bring up membership at board meetings.
>
>                  Denny Harris
>                  Past Lt. Governor Region 7”

News Flash! Satellite Club Formed!

Past Governor Coralyn Dahl, a member of the St. Cloud MN Kiwanis Club, just informed me that 13 people from the St. Michael and Albertville MN area were inducted into the St. Cloud Kiwanis Club on Jauary 7! These people are one of the first, if not the first, satellite club formed in the Minnesota Dakotas District.

The group will call themselves the Crow River Satellite Club. Coralyn wrote, “You should hear their plans! They have already started fund-raising … and want to get a Key Club started at the St. Michael-Albertville High School. This is a new growing area, but there are no activities for teenagers and the club hopes to open a place for teens to go to. Dreams-I know, but if you listen to this young club … you would be excited too!”

This is exciting news! I give my heartiest congratulations to the new Kiwanians. I look forward to the time when they become a stand-alone club! My thanks go to everyone who played a role in bringing these 13 highly motivated people together! The community of St. Michael/Albertville will never be the same!

Time to Rev Up the Engines!

The Minnesota Dakotas District Kiwanis Convention is the traditional kick-off for the new Kiwanis year that starts October 1. With that convention over now for over a month, and with October fast approaching it is time to rev the engine and put the Kiwanis machine in gear for a new year that promises to be a great for the 3 states!

The convention was an invigorating and motivating experience for me, and for many others who attended. Just a few comments from evaluations:

“I wnt to Risk & Liability Management and Sponsored Youth Panel Discussion–BOTH were very excellent!”

“The forums were informational and in a case or two overly crowded. Show how popular they are.”

About the Mardi Gras party Friday evening:

“Fun – good music! Food was very nice. Beads were fun, too!”

“Festive and many surprises. Music was great!”

People have asked if the presentations are available on-line on the District web site. The answer is being developed! Some are on the web site and others will be added. Please check back to the site often.

So now it’s time to make 2008-2009 the success we all want it to be! In later posts I’ll share ideas about how we achieve it. Stay tuned — check back often!

Together Achieving Growth (TAG) Team Members Needed

Next month dedicated Kiwanians willing to help form new clubs and rejuvenate existing clubs will meet on Friday afternoon, August 8^th, at the start of the District convention to “learn the ropes” of how to go about the critical effort of shoring up District membership.

Together Achieving Growth (TAG) is an effort encouraged by Kiwanis International. TAG. It is designed to use Regional Kiwanians, TAG Team Members, to work with clubs that ask for help to revitalize and rejuvenate an existing club. In addition, TAG Team members will help form new clubs. Since the 7 regions in the district are, geographically, very large, 5 or more TAG team members are needed in each region.

The Friday afternoon session, August 8^th, will give team members the tools needed to successfully meet the challenge of increasing membership in the Minnesota Dakotas District. I ask every Kiwanian to consider being part of the team. Can there be a better way to “change the world one child and one community at a time?”

For more information please respond to this post! I look forward to hearing from you!

Keep the Kiwanis Spirit Burning!

Leading to Serve … Growth through Leadership

Club elections have just been held and new leaders elected for the 2008-2009 club year. Congratulations to those who accepted the challenge to lead your club during the year ahead. I wish you every success … for your club and for yourselves.

For some, this will be your first leadership role. At times it will be challenging yet I am convinced you will find it rewarding. It is a time for personal growth. I encourage you to set personal and club goals. One club goal might be to learn more about Kiwanis and new services Kiwanis can offer your community. A personal goal should be to learn how to become a more effective leader.

It has been very satisfying for me to watch several club presidents grow and mature as leaders. Kiwanis International has placed many useful tools on its website. I encourage you to review them. In addition, the Lt. Governor Team and District leaders are there for advice and counsel. They will gladly work with you any way you like. Contact them any time.

Again, congratulations to newly elected club officers. May your year of service give you personal satisfaction and growth and lead you to other leadership opportunities.

Minnesota Dakotas Lt. Governor Education Conference May 2-4

As you read this the Lt. Governor teams from each region will be meeting in Fergus Falls May 2 to 4 for the annual Education Conference, under the leadership of Larry Rittgarn, District Education Director. As usual it will be a full weekend of intense sessions covering all aspects of Kiwanis at the District, Region and Club level.

 

Topics to be covered include Kiwanis International organization and structure, effective communication, new club building and member recruitment and retention, Risk Management and District goals for 2008-2009. Responsibilities of clubs toward sponsored youth programs will also be discussed.

 

While some regions have elected Lt. Governor’s Elect for 2008-2009, some are still searching for someone to fill the slot. Lt. Governors are past presidents of clubs. Readers of this article should approach their current club president, or past club presidents and encourage them to consider being nominated for the position. Or, contact the Lt. Governor team in your region and nominate the person yourself!

 

Keep the Kiwanis Spirit Burning!

South Dakota Clubs Lead and Show the Way to Grow Membership

In his column this month Governor Bill Daugherty tells of a Growth Summit being held in Sioux Falls on Saturday, April 12. This event will provide a big boost to Sioux Falls area clubs as they work to grow their membership. I wish them well. I know the communities and clubs will benefit a great deal from the Summit.

 

At the other end of the state, on March 11, Rapid City Westside, under the leadership of President Kathleen Van Horn, held a membership blitz at its regular meeting. Approximately 10 prospective members attended the meeting which featured District Membership Growth and New Club Chair Stewart Ross as the program. The club has already received applications from most of the prospective members. Congratulations to that club and its leadership team! The entire process was a great effort that is paying off handsomely.

 

These are the types of events and efforts that will revitalize the clubs and allow them to better serve their communities. What these clubs are doing can, and should,  be done by clubs in other areas if clubs are to thrive and growth. If you are interested to learning more please contact me or District Membership Chair Stewart Ross. We will do all we can to help.

Click here to access the Minnekotan newsletter. http://www.mndak-kiwanis.org/newsletter.php

Circle K Members: Take My Survey

This posting is specifically addressed to members of Minnesota Dakotas District Circle K Clubs.  The web address immediately following this sentence is a link to “Mn-Dak Circle K: How are we doing?” http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=lhXjfzL2Lcfo30NzRW4eqg_3d_3d

By clicking on it you will be taken to a very short survey (4 questions). I am interested in getting information about your experience as a Circle K member. However, if someone other than a Circle K member takes the survey please indicate that in one of the comment sections.

I’m also experimenting with the system. Please enter comments into any of the areas designed to accept them. In addition, you can post a comment to this blog. I am especially interested in know if you would like more surveys and what type of questions I should ask in future surveys.

Please take a few minutes to take the survey. I will post the results in a later blog.  

Circle K Convention Report

Just a week ago the Minnesota Dakotas Circle K District convention was held in St. Cloud MN. How inspiring for an old-timer like me to see the enthusiasm and energy of these university and college students.

 

The students and faculty advisor from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology would have received the award for coming the greatest distance. I believe Minnesota State University-Mankato would have taken the award for having the most students attending. But all of the schools at the convention showed they are totally committed to the goals of Circle K International!

 

One thing was reinforced to me: The support and encouragement from the sponsoring club is critical to the overall success of their Circle K Club. As the sponsor club is involvement in guiding, encouraging and supporting the Circle K Club, so too are the Circle K club members involved, committed and energized.

 

A review of the number of community and technical colleges, as well as four-colleges and universities in the Minnesota Dakotas District shows that many more Circle K clubs are possible. If a Kiwanis club is not supporting a Circle K club in a community with a college or university a real opportunity exists to start one. Take Circle K information to the Office of Student Affairs or Dean of Students Office and follow-up with an offer to form a club on campus.

 

If you are a college student reading this and your college or university does not have a Circle K club, click on this link, Find a Club, to find a nearby Kiwanis club. Contact the club and ask for their help in forming a club on your campus. If you want to learn more about Circle K, click on this link Circle K International – Service, Leadership,Fellowship.

 

I invite you to leave a comment to this post if you have questions about Circle K or Kiwanis International. I look forward to hearing from you.