Dave Curry

Concept Four - Increasing District Convention Attendance

In 1988 Eva & I arrived, because of a delay, just in time to get to a $100 fundraising dinner. We found the only seats left, and what a blessing because we ended up sitting next to a 90 year old gentleman, Clarence, who had left Kiwanis 25 years prior (as a business association then, folks left upon retirement). His story was interesting, but when asked why he was still attending events, his answer was fascinating. He attended a District Convention 30 years prior and said it was so fun that he has "supported the dinner ever since" (he had not missed one since then, paying over $3,000 on these dinners). Hmm! I knew District Conventions celebrated the current year and inspired club & division officers, but for year 2000 we also wanted to inspire the next Clarence and double the previous convention, which had 112 attendees. At the convention of 2000, we had 228 folks show up. How, why?

The reasons are many, but here are some primary ones that you can employ or that can generate other plans:

Consider passing a dues increase to target District Convention & Club Officer Training to increase turnout at both events.
Our 1999 adjustment of $10 ($5 to lower convention costs and $5 to subsidize training for Lt. Governors & Club Officers) generated an "extremely healthy" debate, but passed.
Have the convention planned well in advance and add new attractions that will bring folks in. Our 1999/2000 primary attractions were a "Governors Roast", a comedy dinner event in the old style of past Dean Martin Comedy Roasts, and an IDD Celebration (the highlight of the convention). Also, with the dues increase we paid for one night stay for president-elects who attended training the first day and had the Governor's Roast that evening, so that they were around for the opening session the next day. We felt this would increase incoming officer attendance at the convention, and it worked. In addition, new attractions are vital to encourage the presence of individuals who are "periodic attendees". We had a nice mix of both.
Have your primary entertainment be involved with other district efforts. We had a singer from Minnesota who also headlined a district wide IDD fundraiser, finishing up his tour of duty at the district convention. This entertainment was promoted at the prior October and November Town Meetings & Official Visits, where we also promoted convention attendance, citing the exciting new things that would happen.
Use your Mid-Year Conference to create anticipation for the District Convention. With a power-point presentation of Snow White & the Seven Dwarves (remember last month I mentioned that the incoming Lt. Governors had chosen to enter their installation singing "Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, Its off to work we go", well this was a spoof on that) we had a lot of fun at mid-year and also hoped that would get more folks to the District Convention. Well, word got out and set the stage for increased district convention attendance.

Some considerations:

NEW attractions are vital for enticing the attendance of "periodic attendees". One of our goals that year was to have so much fun that folks would be afraid to miss another convention. Also, the promotion of the event has to have specifics to be real - Governors Roast examples - IDD Celebration descriptions, etc.
Think outside the box for events - the Governors Roast for example. When I chaired the 1997 district convention, it was in an old mining town, so we had a "Historic Butte Bar Tour" for the spouses of attendees. Although it had not been tried before, it was extremely well received. Try something new.

Here is a concept that I observed in my travels to other districts - For me this one was not only very interesting, but it has tremendous potential:

In preparation for our trip to Korea, I was intrigued by the fact that their convention attendance is approximately 40 to 50% of all members in the district. To equate this with a typical district in North America, that would be equivalent to an increase in attendance of up to 20 times as many people.

Seeing this, I was anticipatory of their secret to attracting members to the convention. Their feat rises in significance when you realize that their convention is only four hours long and that some members travel up to five hours to get there (one way!). It did not take long to determine one of the central reasons behind their success. The convention is built around the clubs. Let me describe some of the events:

The convention starts out with a procession of club banners. Each Lieutenant Governor is introduced, followed by an introduction of each club in that division as a club representative carries in the club banner. These banners are then placed at the back of the stage, behind the podium.
After the obligatory addresses from the Governor, Governor-Elect, and International Guest, there is an awards segment, centered around a presentation of what appeared to be a very nice, and somewhat expensive, 6" pewter plate indicating that the individual receiving this award was the "Most Valuable Club Member of the Year" as selected by their club.
At the end of the ceremony, the convention ends with a recognition of each incoming club president, who stands and is acknowledged for their acceptance of the duties ahead.

Consider this:

Every club has a reason to have their banner at the Convention, and they have to have at least one representative at the convention to carry it.
The Most Valuable Club Member award recipient is likely to be there, and bring some of his/her friends.
The incoming club president is there, and likely to bring some of his/her friends.
Three of the four hours at the convention concentrate on club efforts or club members.

Now, I understand the practicality of trying to implement some of these ideas, from both the expense of the gifts to the logistics of recognizing that many individuals in a larger district. But the point is that a heavy emphasis ON the clubs generates a heavy interest FROM the clubs - pretty basic, but profound in its own respect, and you can choose the most effective way for your district to put more emphasis at the conventions on your clubs.

Imagine a convention with an interclub from every club in the district - gets one thinking, doesn't it!

Sometimes effective leadership requires avoiding some traditions in favor of an enticing atmosphere to encourage more participation in the types of events that will energize members.

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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