November 2007

A Sample Closing for Special Guest Day

Special guest days or membership round-ups are very successful in building membership. However, they must be done properly for the optimum results. It starts with a committed board, an enthusiastic growth committee, detailed preplanning and preparation, an inspiring program, and concerted follow-up. Your Membership Development manual has a good outline to follow. But even before you get started, you need to take a good look at your club and see if you are ready to invite special guests to dinner.

This month, I want to focus on the program for the special guest day. Many clubs are preparing to conduct their first round-up of the year. The program speaker(s) will have much to do with your success. In my view, most clubs spend too much time trying to do a membership orientation. But, to close the sale at this meeting, you must touch the hearts of prospective members.

Here are several approaches: (1) Use an agency you work with, or (2) your own members, or (3) a combination of both.

After a very brief overview of your club and its most successful projects, you need an especially talented person to show why they are needed to help make a difference in your community.

• Use the head of an organization to tell the difference your club has made. (In my club’s case, we use the superintendent of schools. When she gets through bragging about our involvement with Key Club, Builders Clubs, and Bring-Up-Grades projects, the prospects are almost ready to join.
• But, they still need that personal connection. Carefully select one or more members of your club to tell their Kiwanis story. Tell how Kiwanis has changed, improved, or touched your life and how/why you have touched others. If your story is sincere and has meaning, checkbooks will come out and applications will be completed on the spot. That is the power of Kiwanis.
• New prospects want to make a difference. When you can offer a way for them to do so, on their terms as much as practical, your club will grow. As a result, more children and communities will be served.
• BONUS: If you want these members to get involved, plan your special guest day two or three weeks before your best hands-on project. Give them an early Kiwanis story to tell.

Next Month: I’ll give my closing spill!

Sylvester

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