Think 39

Encouraging community members in your area who are in their mid-20's and 30's to join your Kiwanis Club can offer not just growth with your membership but growth with the service you can provide for your community. Young Kiwanians can bring energy, new ideas and assist your club in growing like never before. If you are looking to recruit and retain young members here are some suggestions for success:

• If you have a few young Kiwanians already in your club, have them recruit from their age group or be liaisons to events like community engagement fairs.
• Consider potential members for your Kiwanis Club based on demonstrated leadership and community service accomplishments rather than career or income. Potential members in their 20's and 30's have much to offer your club. In addition, any perspective member who is an alum of CKI or Key Club can take advantage of the Kiwanis International dues waiver for the first two years.
• Interested in giving your meetings a face lift? Invite an "undercover member" to look at your club from the eyes of potential members under the age of 40. They will help you determine what changes are necessary if your club wishes to attract younger members to your club. This could include assessing meeting time, price, location, agenda and programming.
• Research if other clubs in your district have had success with starting satellite clubs. Your club having a satellite of younger members can assist in having more hands to devote to service in your community.
• Include recruiting younger members as part of your club's annual strategic plan.
• Induct several young members at once, instead of recruiting them one at a time. If your club has no younger members, inducting several at the same time gives these new members an immediate peer group in the club.
• Consider having a family fun night meeting once a month where younger members can bring their children to a meeting. This is a great time for members, perspective members, spouses, children and grandchildren to interact and learn more about Kiwanis.
• Conduct service projects that are likely to appeal to younger members such as family related topics including literacy and sports for youth.
• Consider lowering the total cost of membership in your club. Some younger members have trouble meeting the financial obligations of club membership. To combat this problem, some clubs have lowered their fees or have a meal only once or twice a month instead of every week. In addition, some clubs offer the first 6 months free from dues.
• Consider waiving certain fees or expenses for the first year or two. Younger members who aren't yet fully invested in Kiwanis may be more apprehensive about committing to all of the financial obligations of club membership including attending divisional, conventions, meals, conferences and other expenses. Once they become involved in your club and dedicated to Kiwanis they will be able to see the benefits that paying full cost can bring them.
• Be sure your web site and Facebook page have up to date contact information and show pictures of diverse populations performing service under the name of Kiwanis. You can accomplish this by downloading various branding images through KiwanisOne.

If you have any questions regarding Think 39, the New York District of Kiwanis' initiative to recruit members under 39 to join Kiwanis, feel free to contact Kristen Reed at kristenmreed@gmail.com.

Column Posted on Web Site June 22, 2013