Dave Curry

Concept One - One-A-Year Sponsorship

Although many growth programs have been established over the years within Kiwanis International, while at the 1995 International Convention in Las Vegas I made a personal commitment to sponsor at least one individual into Kiwanis each year. Reflecting on that while serving as District Growth Chair, while PDG Ken Holmlund served as Governor, Ken and I discussed duplicating this at the 2002 mid-year conference.

During the conference session on growth, attended by the entire delegation of 74 individuals (remember, this is Montana), we discussed why Kiwanis was important, not only in the lives of the individuals we serve, but also so that our own lives can be in balance through serving. We stressed that if Kiwanis gives us a chance to have our own lives more in balance, we bring that to others when we sponsor. The talk took only about 15 minutes, and we then asked for the commitment - that everyone in attendance would sign a sheet at the tables where they sat, indicating that they would sponsor someone by the District Convention. At first there was reluctance to sign, but after an additional request and seeing peer pressure at work at the tables, in the end 70 of the 74 in attendance signed.

After two months, a reminder letter was sent to all the signers requesting any results to date. A final letter was then sent a couple of months later describing the progress to date and reminding them of the importance of their commitment and the reasons sponsorship is important. Then, we waited. By the District Convention, those 70 individuals had sponsored 101 individuals. While some had sponsored more than one, over half had sponsored at least one new member into our organization.

Here are some additional considerations:

The actual signing of the document is important because it is a commitment to action.
The reminders are critical, they renew enthusiasm and remind individuals of their commitment.
The individual who is presenting this concept to the delegate body must have lived it for at least three years. Then, having conviction and credibility, the benefits can be realized.
A recognition/appreciation/encouragement article in the district bulletin promotes future efforts.

Sometimes the most effective leadership is not about what we do as an individual as much as it is finding something that is doable, and then duplicating it. The end result of using the power of simple duplication can have a lasting impact on our organization.

For more information contact:

Name: Dave Curry
Address: 1204 W Woolman
Butte, MT 59701
Phone: (406) 723-8067
email: Dave Curry

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