Several months ago, I stopped in a new, local oil changing service to get my vehicle serviced. While I was waiting, I began a conversation with the young owner about community service and Kiwanis. I learned that he was interested in giving back. He was a single parent of two children and did not have much time, but he wanted to become a greater part of the business community in our town of 45,000 residents.
I left him a brochure and my club business card inviting him to a free breakfast. I followed up with a call a few days later and he visited our club. We had a very good meeting and he enjoyed the fellowship and the program. He agreed to come to a second meeting. After the second meeting I knew I had this young fellow hooked.
I called him the following week and invited him to lunch near his shop. I carried my applications ready to make the final sale. I reviewed the traditional Kiwanis history, a briefing on our organization, the District, the Division and our club. I went over our most impressive projects and the impact we were having on children in the schools and the community.
Reading his body language, sitting there with his arms folded; I realized I had not touched his button. I went on to tell him how his talents, ideas, and experiences were needed in our club. I tried to make him feel important and tried to show that our club would not be the same without him.
Then a red light came on. This new prospect wanted to know why I was so involved and interested in Kiwanis. I began to tell him my Kiwanis story. I related how Kiwanis had changed my life. How I have been so enriched through my Kiwanis experiences. How I had learned the true meaning of giving through my service to others. I talked about the differences I had made in the lives of children and related how good it made me feel. As I began to talk about all the wonderful people I had met, from all over the world, who I would not have otherwise known, he pulled out his check book and started writing a check for his membership.
Now I know where to start my recruitment message, from the heart!
Sylvester