The Formula

Spring is finally at our door step. This is the time to "LOVE IT, SHARE IT, LIVE IT" with an open house. Winter took a great toll across the country. Many clubs had to cancel events, meetings and projects, yet they still brought new members into our Kiwanis Family. There have been 361 new members and one new club with a net amount of 161 members. We still have a lot of work to do. Moving forward our goal for The Formula is to have 1,000 new members and at least five new clubs before Sept. 30. This task can't be met unless every club does its part.

Our district needs to grow, our communities need Kiwanis. We don't live in a perfect world. Our youth need our leadership so they can be our future leaders. If we don't bring our clubs to charter strength or build new clubs, what will happen? There will be no K-Kids, Builders Clubs, Key Clubs, Circle K or Aktion clubs. We are continuing to lose members. Why? Even though we are the best show in town, we are the best hidden secret.

That's exactly why we have The Formula. We need to spread the word "LOVE IT, SHARE IT, LIVE IT". These words are ideal, they mean so much, they are perfection. Distinguished Past Gov. Joseph Eppolito has put in endless hours getting together a team of leaders, new club builders and club counselors. These leaders were trained by the best at Kiwanis International. So much time, materials and money have been spent to make Kiwanis the largest organization around the world.

The Formula is a five-year program with practices, incentives, and rewards. We need to take these practices and put them to good use! Even our own district has incentives. We want everyone to take advantage of what has been given to them. There are many clubs that have not brought a new member in since Oct. 1, 2014. We need the leadership to start NOW -- to work with the lieutenant governors and presidents to strive to a new level of growth.

Julie Watterson, our membership chair, has put in endless hours contacting the division with new member leads from international. It's the lieutenant governors' responsibility to follow up with the leads for Julie and core club counselors to get involved. Julie's second installment of her "Bring a Guest Contest" will begin on April 15, 2015 and run through July 15, 2015. Here's how it works: bring in a potential member to one of your meetings or to an event and snap a photo with that person (a cell phone selfie is ideal). Send that picture to Julie by email at: JulesW77@aol.com or text it to Julie with a note stating your division, club name and guest's name. If that member joins, take another photo of yourself with the new member and send it to Julie. For each guest, the sponsoring member will receive five entries to the contest. Valid entries to this contest must include a photo and all photos will be posted on our district Facebook page. The winner of the contest will receive a grand prize to be announced at the District Convention in August.

If you are asking how you can guests to come to a meeting so you can participate, this is where The FORMULA comes into play…..

 "LOVE IT" - Why do you love your Kiwanis Club? What drives you to go to meetings and events sponsored by your club? You should be able to tell people your story. Who and what brought you to Kiwanis in the first place and why did you stay? Every Kiwanis member has their own unique story!

"SHARE IT" - This is what happens when members love their clubs. It's human nature to tell others about great experiences we've had with products or services - even Kiwanis! This part of The Formula lets us spread the word about our clubs by telling others face to face, by invitations to meetings, service projects or fundraisers. Get on social media and share your experiences on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Pinterest! Sharing what you do with others will inspire them to be a part of what you do.

"LIVE IT" - This is what happens when you share your experience of being a Kiwanian. Wear your Kiwanis pin or logo attire and engage in club activities, especially community service. Be proud of being a Kiwanis member. I know I am.

Simply put, "LOVE IT, SHARE IT, LIVE IT". It is The Formula. This is how you will bring guests and new members to your meetings.

Finally, if your club is having a hard time bringing in guests or potential new members please don't hesitate to reach out for help. Julie has great ideas for membership drives and would love to share these with you. Don't hesitate to call or e-mail Julie. She is proud to be your membership chair and looks forward to helping our district grow!

I made a commitment to carry the torch for the next three years to The Formula. I promised our sitting Governor that we will reach our goals for 2014-15. These can be met when you have the following divisions leading the charge such as: Van Rensselaer plus 25, Suffolk East 16, Queens West 12, Hudson River 16, Hudson River West 11, Metropolitan 22, Niagara Frontier South 9, Finger Lakes 8, Chemung 7, Long island North 13. We congratulate these divisions for doing such outstanding work, even during one of the worst winters on record.

I would like to congratulate Lt. Governor Gerda Krogslund from Hudson River West and her team for opening the first new club for 2015 with 24 new members! Also, Lt. Governor James Prout from the Van Rensselaer Division is a plus 25 in membership. Each one of his clubs have added new members and that is truly outstanding.
 
That is how The Formula works ... "LOVE IT, SHARE IT, LIVE IT" ... GREAT JOB!!!!

The Formula team is looking for some New Club Builders and New Club Counselors. Please contact me if you are ready to get involved and work towards are common goal.

In closing Kiwanis is our extended family. This is the time we especially need to "LOVE IT, SHARE IT, LIVE IT".

We need this for our youth, those in need and ourselves.
 

Column Posted on Web Site April 18, 2015