Hola fellow CKI members! Hope everyone is having a great summer. Thank you to all those who attended SpOT, it was a very successful weekend spent with great people. I hope you all learned something and can utilize the information within your own clubs and communities. The Erie Division is by far the largest, with 5 clubs and roughly 50 members. This means that we should be the strongest, which is my goal for the year.
With that said, I have a few tips on how we might accomplish this. Some of these are things that your club may already be doing, and some are things you may consider. And while this article is directed at Erie Division clubs, this also applies to clubs in other divisions across the district.
The first is to establish a strong relationship with your sponsoring Kiwanis club. They are there to support you and want to see you succeed. Reach out to them and attend a few meetings, get involved with their projects, and do not be afraid to ask them questions.
The second tip is to find a local non-profit to partner with. The club should serve as an ally that the non-profit feels comfortable coming to when they need something– whether it is volunteers or some extra fundraising. Maybe use the community needs assessment to help your club find the right fit.
The third tip is to communicate!! Communicate with your sponsoring Kiwanis club, the members, and the district. Kiwanians want to hear about your club and everything you are doing. It is also important to communicate with the members since they are the foundation of your club.
The easiest way to communicate, especially with a large number of people, is through email. Include everyone on the email– every potential member, select district board members (especially your LTG), and your Kiwanis advisor. An effective leader is typically very thorough, which includes staying informed & informing. Every club runs differently but I hope you found at least one of these tips helpful.