It Pays to Grow
For the year ending September 30, 2008, 208 Kiwanis clubs shared in receiving checks totaling $64,026.00 from Kiwanis International. Delegates approved the 25% net growth incentive program at the Montreal Convention in 2006. The checks ranged in amounts as low of $84.00 to a high of $882.00. Five of the clubs had a net growth of over 100%.
Think of what these funds can do to help with the club’s administrative funds:
- Send additional delegates to International Convention for training.
- Send additional delegates to a District Convention for training.
- Provide CLE training free of charge for new officers.
- Provide dues scholarships for a member who has lost his/her job and would otherwise leave Kiwanis.
- Provide meals for a guest at a membership drive meeting.
- Start a lucky draw or split the pot to improve attendance.
- Provide free meals, for a limited time, to any member who brings a guest to encourage membership participation in growth.
- Purchase new membership orientation materials.
- Start membership contests among teams with the winner getting a prize.
These funds can be used for a variety of service needs, but I would suggest the club invest them back into growth, fun meetings, and member assistance.
Now, more than ever, children need the services of Kiwanis, but let’s not forget to ReMember our existing members, some of them need our help as well.
I know the economy is down, but when 97 people out of every 100 U.S. citizens do not belong to a service organization, the fields are still ripe for picking. If all these clubs can do it, it can be done. It starts with the commitment of all club members. But it is not necessarily about the money. It is about increasing our ability to address the needs of those who need us most -- The Children of The World. Yes, now, more than ever, we need to grow.
Sylvester Neal
Kiwanis International Vice President