3P’s +3F’s = PD
Kiwanis has long said the secret to keeping members is to use the 3 I’s. Inform, Induct, and Involve.
We should always orient potential new members by informing them about our purpose, history and the value Kiwanis adds to children and communities of the world. Following this we should formally induct them, if they wish, into the Kiwanis family. Then quickly get them involved into our club’s projects. We want people to join our club to make a difference not simply meet, eat, and leave. While thinking about this the above formula came to mind: 3P+3F=PD.
We are a global group of volunteers that have a purpose, mission andor commitment to change the world one child and one community at a time. Kiwanis clubs are in 90 plus countries with this simple desire to give back and make the world a better place for all of us.
Next after sharing and coming to an understanding about our purpose we must ask “Are our projects making a difference in our community?” Also we must ask do we have enough purposeful projects so our members, old and new, have an avenue to give back on a regular basis whether that means by sharing our time, talents, and/or treasures to bring our purpose to a reality. Once a member believes that belonging to Kiwanis does not give them this avenue they lose interest and many times leave.
Programs are very important to the lifeblood of Kiwanians. Programs need to be interesting informative, and/or motivating. When members quit coming to meetings on a regular basis we must approach them and ask “Is it programs, the lack of feeling useful and able to give back, or something else?” We do not want people to leave and feel no one noticed or cared enough to contact them.
So the three P’s in the formula stand for purpose, projects and programs.
Fellowship is the first of the F’s. At each meeting we need time to experience the fellowship part of belonging to the Kiwanis family. During this time we need to focus on new members and guests as well as members who are not attending meetings on a regular basis. People who are enjoying this time are less likely to drop their membership and leave through the back door.
Food, quality and quantity as well as price, affects peoples enjoyment of any meeting. How many times have you complained about the rubber chicken meal andor the price? Socializing seems to be much easier over good food. It sounds simple but the food menu for the meeting makes a big difference.
Fun is another important aspect of keeping members from walking out the back door. If you are leaving a meeting and did not laugh or at least smile once during the meeting then fun is missing as a part of a successful meeting. Some clubs have a joke shared at each meeting, others have humor during the happy dollars time or have presenters who have a way of making us smile or laugh and still others have a president who have a great sense of humor. Regardless of how we add humor to our meetings, they are rated higher if they include some fun.
So the three F’s are fellowship, food and fun.
If we make sure the three P’s and the three F’s are part of our club meetings and projects we can rest assured that we are making a Positive Difference (PD) in our community and members who share that feeling are less likely to walkout the back door.
