3/30/2010 - District: Minnesota-Dakotas - Submitted by: Bruce Klair, District Governor

There is no other way to put this, we need more members in Kiwanis. The need is so great. There are not enough eyes to see the needs of our communities or hands to meet those needs. There are so many people in all of our communities that just need that extra word of encouragement to come to the first meeting and see what Kiwanis is all about. Now is the time to invite these people. May is membership month in Kiwanis, and the time to start is now, in April. Some people have a difficult time asking someone to share the fun and service of a Kiwanis Club. That is why every club should have a Membership Chair. This person should not just be a name to fill a slot on the club's brochure, this person should report at least once a month on the activities the Membership Committee in their effort to bring in new members. As I travel around the District, I often visit Key Clubs and Circle K Clubs. I marvel at how these organizations can continue from year to year, when they normally lose one fourth of their members every year with graduation. We could learn a lot about recruiting from these incredible young people. I am asking all clubs to renew their efforts of adding to their membership during April and May. Let's see how we can make a difference. International President Paul Palazzolo had an excellent article in last month's MINNEKOTAN. He reminds us to have a focused time-frame for an intensified recruiting effort, for a definite period of time. Along with that, set a goal and report every week on the progress toward that goal. And lastly, make it fun. Split your club into teams and have some real competition with a fun prize for the winning team. I will also make this challenge: For the three clubs in our District that have the highest percentage of membership increase in April and May, I will personally visit these clubs and provide donuts or other treats at one of your meetings. These three clubs will also be acknowledged at the District Convention in Fargo this August. Let's make this a fun contest, and see how many new Kiwanians we can have by June 1.

 

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