At this year’s Midyear Conference, Past International Trustee Cathy Szymanski and I had the privilege of presenting a session on Retaining Members. Retaining members in Kiwanis is just as important as recruiting new ones. Keeping members engaged, motivated, and connected to the mission is key to long-term success. Here are some strategies for retaining Kiwanis members:
- Engage Members in Meaningful Service Projects
• Involvement in Projects: Ensure that every member has the opportunity to participate in service projects that align with their interests and skills. When members feel they are making a real impact, they are more likely to stay engaged.
• Variety of Projects: Offer a diverse range of projects (e.g., children’s health, education, hunger relief, environmental sustainability) so members can find areas that resonate with them.
- Create a Welcoming and Inclusive Atmosphere
• Mentorship Programs: Pair new members with experienced ones to help them feel welcomed and supported. This provides an opportunity for members to build relationships and learn more about Kiwanis’ work.
• Inclusive Environment: Ensure that the club is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all individuals, regardless of background, age, or expertise. When members feel accepted, they are more likely to remain active.
- Provide Personal and Professional Development Opportunities
• Leadership Roles: Offer members opportunities to take on leadership roles, whether within the club or through service projects. This helps members develop new skills and feel more invested in the club’s success.
• Training & Workshops: Organize workshops, webinars, or conferences on topics such as leadership development, public speaking, and project management to help members grow personally and professionally.
- Recognize and Appreciate Members
• Member Recognition: Regularly acknowledge members for their contributions and efforts. This can be through awards, shout-outs at meetings, or special events. Appreciation makes members feel valued and motivates them to stay involved.
• Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, or other personal milestones. Showing members you care about them as individuals strengthens bonds and loyalty.
- Foster Strong Relationships Among Members
• Social Activities: Organize social events (e.g., dinners, outings, family picnics) to build camaraderie among members. Strong friendships within the club make people feel more connected and less likely to leave.
• Team-Building Activities: Plan activities that encourage teamwork and bonding, such as group challenges, service trips, or club retreats.
- Maintain Clear Communication
• Regular Updates: Keep members informed about the club’s activities, upcoming events, and the impact of their work. Use newsletters, emails, and social media to keep everyone in the loop.
• Open Channels for Feedback: Encourage members to share their opinions and feedback about the club’s direction, activities, and overall experience. Address any concerns they might have to ensure that members feel heard and valued.
- Set Clear Expectations and Provide Purpose
• Shared Vision: Help members understand the larger vision and purpose of Kiwanis. When members feel a personal connection to the mission, they are more likely to stay involved.
• Set Personal Goals: Encourage members to set goals for their involvement in the club (e.g., number of projects volunteered for, leadership positions held). This helps them feel personally invested in their membership.
- Create a Sense of Belonging
• Build Club Identity: Foster a strong sense of community and club identity. Ensure members know that being part of Kiwanis means being part of something bigger than themselves.
• Create Sub-Committees: Allow members to participate in specific sub-committees that focus on different aspects of the club’s work (e.g., fundraising, outreach, program development). This gives members a sense of ownership and purpose.
- Offer Flexibility in Participation
• Flexible Commitment Levels: Not all members can dedicate the same amount of time to the club. Offer a variety of ways to get involved, whether through small-scale or large-scale projects, or virtual participation options.
• Balance Between Service & Social Activities: Provide a balance of service activities, social gatherings, and educational opportunities to appeal to a variety of interests and schedules.
- Encourage Club Growth and New Initiatives
• Innovation and New Ideas: Encourage members to bring fresh ideas and new projects to the table. When members are involved in shaping the future of the club, they are more likely to stay engaged.
• Support for New Projects: Show enthusiasm for new initiatives and provide resources or support for members who want to take on new ventures. This helps keep the club dynamic and evolving.
- Keep It Fun!
• Keep the Energy Up: A fun and lively club culture encourages members to stay involved. Ensure meetings are engaging, projects are enjoyable, and social events are lighthearted and entertaining.
• Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate the club’s achievements in creative ways—this could be through an annual celebration, a social event after a major service project, or a “Thank You” event for all members.
By creating an inclusive, supportive, and engaging environment, Kiwanis clubs can help ensure that their members feel connected, valued, and committed to the organization’s mission for the long haul. Retention is about fostering relationships, creating opportunities for growth, and constantly reminding members of the meaningful work they’re doing for their communities and the world.
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Posted: March 21, 2025 by pennsylvaniakiwanis
Keeping Kiwanis Members
At this year’s Midyear Conference, Past International Trustee Cathy Szymanski and I had the privilege of presenting a session on Retaining Members. Retaining members in Kiwanis is just as important as recruiting new ones. Keeping members engaged, motivated, and connected to the mission is key to long-term success. Here are some strategies for retaining Kiwanis members:
• Involvement in Projects: Ensure that every member has the opportunity to participate in service projects that align with their interests and skills. When members feel they are making a real impact, they are more likely to stay engaged.
• Variety of Projects: Offer a diverse range of projects (e.g., children’s health, education, hunger relief, environmental sustainability) so members can find areas that resonate with them.
• Mentorship Programs: Pair new members with experienced ones to help them feel welcomed and supported. This provides an opportunity for members to build relationships and learn more about Kiwanis’ work.
• Inclusive Environment: Ensure that the club is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all individuals, regardless of background, age, or expertise. When members feel accepted, they are more likely to remain active.
• Leadership Roles: Offer members opportunities to take on leadership roles, whether within the club or through service projects. This helps members develop new skills and feel more invested in the club’s success.
• Training & Workshops: Organize workshops, webinars, or conferences on topics such as leadership development, public speaking, and project management to help members grow personally and professionally.
• Member Recognition: Regularly acknowledge members for their contributions and efforts. This can be through awards, shout-outs at meetings, or special events. Appreciation makes members feel valued and motivates them to stay involved.
• Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, or other personal milestones. Showing members you care about them as individuals strengthens bonds and loyalty.
• Social Activities: Organize social events (e.g., dinners, outings, family picnics) to build camaraderie among members. Strong friendships within the club make people feel more connected and less likely to leave.
• Team-Building Activities: Plan activities that encourage teamwork and bonding, such as group challenges, service trips, or club retreats.
• Regular Updates: Keep members informed about the club’s activities, upcoming events, and the impact of their work. Use newsletters, emails, and social media to keep everyone in the loop.
• Open Channels for Feedback: Encourage members to share their opinions and feedback about the club’s direction, activities, and overall experience. Address any concerns they might have to ensure that members feel heard and valued.
• Shared Vision: Help members understand the larger vision and purpose of Kiwanis. When members feel a personal connection to the mission, they are more likely to stay involved.
• Set Personal Goals: Encourage members to set goals for their involvement in the club (e.g., number of projects volunteered for, leadership positions held). This helps them feel personally invested in their membership.
• Build Club Identity: Foster a strong sense of community and club identity. Ensure members know that being part of Kiwanis means being part of something bigger than themselves.
• Create Sub-Committees: Allow members to participate in specific sub-committees that focus on different aspects of the club’s work (e.g., fundraising, outreach, program development). This gives members a sense of ownership and purpose.
• Flexible Commitment Levels: Not all members can dedicate the same amount of time to the club. Offer a variety of ways to get involved, whether through small-scale or large-scale projects, or virtual participation options.
• Balance Between Service & Social Activities: Provide a balance of service activities, social gatherings, and educational opportunities to appeal to a variety of interests and schedules.
• Innovation and New Ideas: Encourage members to bring fresh ideas and new projects to the table. When members are involved in shaping the future of the club, they are more likely to stay engaged.
• Support for New Projects: Show enthusiasm for new initiatives and provide resources or support for members who want to take on new ventures. This helps keep the club dynamic and evolving.
• Keep the Energy Up: A fun and lively club culture encourages members to stay involved. Ensure meetings are engaging, projects are enjoyable, and social events are lighthearted and entertaining.
• Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate the club’s achievements in creative ways—this could be through an annual celebration, a social event after a major service project, or a “Thank You” event for all members.
By creating an inclusive, supportive, and engaging environment, Kiwanis clubs can help ensure that their members feel connected, valued, and committed to the organization’s mission for the long haul. Retention is about fostering relationships, creating opportunities for growth, and constantly reminding members of the meaningful work they’re doing for their communities and the world.
Category: Membership Blog
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