Ways to deepen club connection
Increase club value for members by enriching the connection with them and their families. These tips can help.
By Tony Knoderer
If anything can deepen the satisfaction that comes from serving kids, it’s the fellowship you feel with the people who volunteer alongside you. Don’t be shy about that part of club value — recommend a few ways for your club to boost the feeling of belonging.
Want some ideas? Here a few small but popular things that other Kiwanis clubs do to deepen individuals’ sense of connection:
- Have a member or two (perhaps retirees) volunteer to call fellow members on their respective birthdays.
- Set aside a day or two each year to contact former members — or those who haven’t been to a meeting or service project for a while. Let them know that they’re not forgotten — and you’d love to see them again. When appropriate or relevant, tell them they shouldn’t feel guilty about life challenges that have prevented them from being active.
- Design an e-card to send Kiwanis anniversary greetings to members to celebrate the day they joined the organization.
- Consider recording the names of your members’ children. Where age-appropriate, send them a thank-you card in appreciation of “loaning” their parents to participate in Kiwanis activities.
- Design a meeting agenda that appeals to members’ children — and invite them to attend a club meeting, where you can thank them for “sharing” their parents’ time and show them how all members help other kids in the community.
- Show your appreciation for nonmember spouses and partners as well. Establish a special meeting — or use a regularly scheduled one — and invite them to learn more about Kiwanis. Members can share testimonials about what the club means to them and to the kids and community they serve.
Don’t forget: Kiwanis International offers resources to help keep club members engaged. Check out our Achieving Club Excellence tools —including the member survey, which you can download to evaluate how well the club is meeting member expectations.
