Think 39

The NY District Kiwanis Think 39 Program is designed to encourage NY District Kiwanis Clubs to recruit members under the age of 40 to join clubs to increase membership, assist in growing community relations, and also ensure stability for clubs in the future.

Finding young adults to recruit to join your Kiwanis Club can seem like a pretty daunting task. To assist in your recruitment needs take a look at the eight recruitment tips below to help make it easier to get started growing your membership with young adults. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact NY District Kiwanis Think 39 Chair Kristen Reed at kristenmreed@gmail.com.

Think 39 Recruitment Tips – Getting Started

1. Ask current members to recruit within their family. Children and grandchildren of Kiwanians are a great source for membership.
2. Contact the local college or university to ask if your membership chair can speak at the next Faculty Senate meeting. This is an excellent way to recruit professors and other professionals to join.
3. Attend a local Circle K club and find out if any graduating seniors plan on staying in the area and would be interested in joining Kiwanis after graduation.
4. Call or e-mail area businesses and ask if you can post flyers or set up an informational workshop in their lunchroom for a day.
5. Partner with your local Boys and Girls Club for a joint service project. This is a great opportunity to meet parents of children and reach out for them to get involved.
6. Encourage the young adults you are recruiting to invite their spouses, friends and family members to attend a service project. Young adults enjoy doing activities in a group and will feel more comfortable if a friend or family member can attend with them.
7. Work with your local elementary, middle and high schools to set up informational meetings or presentations at Parent-Teacher Associations.
8. Young people gravitate toward others like themselves, and a good approach is to recruit with your youngest members. Seeing someone of a similar age, lifestyle and perspective enjoying their Kiwanis International member experience is reason to join for fellowship and networking. Once you have two or three young adults in your club, ask them to join your club's committees membership, recruitment, or Think 39 Chair.

Column Posted on Web Site January 22, 2013