Club Growth and Retention
by Rosemary Cummings

Last month, the Club Growth committee provided a checklist with Tips for clubs to retain and attract new members. We hope you were able to use some of these ideas. Sadly, Capital District statistics continued to show losses again this month in Club Growth, although two new Clubs formed. Why are these losses occurring when there are so many resources available to help Clubs grow? In these critical economic times, the need for Kiwanis service, funds, and programs abound in every community and ultimately this means clubs need members.

The Club Growth committee has a tool kit to assist clubs with the challenge of growth and retention. This year we are a "Maytag Committee", as no Club or Lt. Governor in any Region asked for committee help. Is there a connection between No Club Growth and No Assist requests? Some possible responses are:

• Clubs do not know the committee exists.
• Clubs may have heard the committee exists, but do not know how to request help.
• Club members may believe they have the long-term experience to handle the Growth dilemma themselves.
• Clubs may not want to admit they can use help.

First, what is the Club Growth committee? The District Bylaws indicate the Committee is

• To ensure clubs maintain active membership recruitment and retention programs using resources and ideas provided by Kiwanis International.
• To assist clubs in developing a comprehensive orientation program for all perspective members.
• To assist clubs in conducting a meaningful induction ceremony for each new member.
• To conduct exit surveys with members leaving Kiwanis

Second, who are the members? The Club Growth committee members are Kiwanians experienced with facilitating honest dialogue among members, helping members "think outside the box" and suggesting new techniques for demonstrable results in growing your club. The members are a link between the club, the Lt. Gov., Kiwanis, and your community. If your Club has experienced member losses this year, you can expect a committee member to call Club officers between now and May. Clubs contacted thus far indicate reasons for member loss are death, moved, job transfers, other family commitments, others indicated they would soon induct new members. Nothing we did not already know. However, in the course of conversations, we explain new members' categories, Division-wide membership drives, how some clubs pay for SLP Faculty Advisors, and how members raise funds to pay dues for younger members. All without either party leaving home and each understanding the Growth problem and sharing solutions. The following are the members for each Region: Jeff Tull and Rosemary Cummings DMV, Gary Thomson HOV, Jim Wool HR, Don Evick NOVA, Art Riley MD, JR Harris PT, Dennis Grubbs PRES, and Manly Aylor and Jon Rife SWVA. If you want to find out more about this committee, call a member, as they are available to present a customized Growth program for your Club.