KILLEARN KIWANIS MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

                                                                “BREAKFAST AT THE 19th ”

                                                                        MARCH  4, 2010

 

INTRODUCTION

                At its’ February meeting, the Board of Directors discussed membership promotion and adopted some policies to guide our efforts through the remainder of the current membership year, ending September 30, 2010.  The discussion focused on the size of our organization and the processes for achieving our membership goals.   Essentially, there was recognition there is very little that is new or different about the process for increasing membership.  First, a membership organization has to have a reason for it’s’ existence.   In our case it is “Changing the World One Child at a Time.”   Secondly, it is seldom that a potential member walks in off the street because he/she read that Killearn Kiwanis was accepting new members to do good works.  Potential members need to be invited to join.   Thirdly, although a good meal, informative and inspiring programs, participation in club socials and promotional events, are all useful in achieving our membership goals, unless membership promotion becomes an integral part of every program, it will be difficult over the long haul to keep the organization energized with new members    Almost every program we have ever had has been a function of some member(s) interest as it related to providing service (either directly or indirectly to children).  And as our membership induction ceremony says in part,  “new members mean new ideas, new enthusiasm, greater fellowship and greater service.”  In short we should view all programs as an opportunity to attract new members.  

BOARD DECISIONS

                The Board approved two policies:

1.        The goal for Killearn Kiwanis should be 40 members.   The committee and the  Board believe that a club of 40 members is achievable and that 40 members constitutes a size that still allows inter action and a friendly atmosphere.

2.       The Killearn Kiwanis Club will pick up the costs of all breakfasts of invited guests.   That includes not only prospective members but all sponsors of our golf tournament as well.

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

                We will call this program “BREAKFAST AT THE 19TH.” The most important aspect of this or any other membership promotion is you the member.  We don’t say that to make you feel important,  the fact is you are important because the club cannot survive without your active commitment.  Beginning today we have 28 weeks left in our membership year.   We have 30 members and if every member invites just one person to have “Breakfast at the 19th ” we could easily achieve our goal.  We know that everyone who is invited to breakfast will not join.  But if we first invite them to breakfast to experience a small slice of the Kiwanis experience and then follow up with an invitation to join we could easily achieve 10 new members by  October 1st.    It’s important to remember that 40 is a goal, if we should end up with 45 that would be equally acceptable.

“BREAKFAST AT THE 19th” PROGRAM:

 

1.        Every member invites at least one person (could be a family member, a co-worker, an acquaintance etc.)  to breakfast as soon as possible.   You don’t have to schedule a specific Thursday.

2.       At a time convenient after the breakfast experience, invite them to join.  Pay particular attention to point #5 on the attached elevator speech.

3.       I will make a progress report every week as to prospective members invited to breakfast.

4.       At the conclusion of the membership year we will have a special social to recognize both new members and their sponsors and we also will recognize everyone who was able to bring a guest to breakfast.   Those who have already brought a member into the club this year( October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010 will also be credited) and recognized.  Those who bring sponsors to breakfast will likewise be recognized.

Remember we have two membership categories.  The first is the regular membership and the second is a quarterly membership requiring less meeting time.  Also, those of you who have secured sponsors for our golf tournament and who will be getting sponsorships should remember to invite those sponsors to breakfast so that we might give them thanks and  recognition.