The 60th Annual Macomb Kiwanis Club Pancake Day is Thursday, April 23, at the American Legion. Treasurer Jeremey Benson said there were 126 sponsors last year. We have received 72 checks as of tonight with 54 to go!
A booster sponsor pays $75 and receives 20 tickets along with their name on the placemat. Look and listen for Pancake Day advertising and promotion in the next couple of weeks in the newspaper and on the radio.
Official Macomb Kiwanis Club Pancake Day Countdown Clock
Jim Morel (on left), I-I District TAG Team Public Relations Ambassador, spoke to us about ways to retain and increase membership. TAG stands for Together Achieving Growth and Jim said we already have the basis on which to build. He started out by asking random members what they like about being a member. Most said they enjoy the comraderie and opportunity to serve the community. One comment heard several times was "one person alone can't do something, but we can as a group."
Other reasons given were building and making the community a better place to live, getting to meet people you might otherwise not be able to, developing friendships as we work together, being committed to community service by taking on projects and accomplishing things, enjoying the group interaction and helping children. We're looking for people who enjoy reaching out to the community and helping make it better. We need to do a better job of recruiting new members. Jim said 17% is the average number of members who need to be replaced each year. 25% is needed for future growth.
Jim shared some ideas about how new members can be recruited including the five I's which he identified as: Intriguing, Inviting, Informing, Inducting and Involving. Get prospective members intrigued at joining and working on projects to benefit the community, invite them to join, inform them about what the club is doing, get them inducted and involved in club programs and projects.
Jim said there are two things to think about. No matter what great ideas we have, if we don't have the people to execute them, it won't get done. If we don't get things done, people will forget about us.
He also encouraged us to do a community analysis. Ask people what needs to be done, and what can we do to make ourselves more relevant. Check with library, police department, fire department, city and county representatives. After completing the analysis, play to the strengths. What's good about us?
Other ways we could involve prospective members is to go to a ball game with them, find activities that appeal to younger people and be persistent in asking people to join. He said he knows of one person who took three years to decide to join. "Keep in mind 3 out of 10 people are interested in community service" Jim said. We have to find them and invite them!
Ted Pawlias thought a good time to involve prospective members is during our annual Shopping with Santa project in December. They'll see the smiles on kids faces and see how we're helping out kids in the community. Another good opportunity is on Pancake Day where they can see us working together on a project.
Sue Dexter has lined up the following speakers in April:
April 14 - Peggy Jones, Director Staff Development and Outreach Services, MDH
April 21 - Jerry Lindsay, Director of Pharmacy, MDH
President Tim Moss presided. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and Kiwanis Pledge, John Moon led us in singing the "Kiwanis Comrade Song" and Chuck Nicholson gave the invocation.
Ed and Mary Haney were guests of Pat and Waneen Stout.
Jeremy had a list of sponsors who mailed in checks that he needs help in delivering tickets to. Jay, Jack Elfrink, Herb, Ted Huston and Pat all volunteered to help.
Regarding Kiwanis International Skip A Meal day, Tim is putting something together for May 5 and says "bring a few extra bucks with you as we'll take up a collection."
Tim announced we'll meet at Ponderosa May 12 and 19 instead of St. George's. He says "we're just trying it out as a possible meeting place. You'll purchase your own meal those nights." Let Tim know if you like the arrangement.
Officers and directors for the upcoming year are being finalized. "We're looking for a few good persons" Tim says. Let him know if you are interested in serving as an officer or director. Rick Bulger will replace Susan Thompson, who has resigned, to the board for the rest of the year. He said we're trying to reactivate the WIU Circle K Club.
Debbie Vandemark had a suggestion for a Kiwanis One Day Event to help the Salvation Army with cleaning up debris. Saturday, April 11, from 9-11 AM at 505 N. Randolph we'll pick up sticks and debris, plant flowers and help clean up. Then Saturday afternoon at 1:00 we're cleaning up the pancake grills at the Stites Building across from Clugston Tibbitts Funeral Home. Debbie was successful in getting volunteers for both events to count towards the Kiwanis International One Day Event requirement.
Pat Stout reported on the Kiwanis Governors visit last weekend. Gov. Gary Heath said "374 members have been lost from the district this year. We need to try and replace those members." Each club is being asked to do a club analysis to find out why members are leaving. First Lady Patty Heath has a special project related to Crisis Pregnancies. She is encouraging us to think about what we can do as a club to help out.
Here's a bunch of happy Kiwanians: (Left to right) President Tim Moss, First Lady Patty Health, Governor Gary Heath, Waneen Stout and Lt. Gov. Pat Stout.
Jay Carter - He's been gone three weeks and is glad to
be back. He also told a story about something that happened at the VFW fish fry April 3. A cell phone rang during the speeches and it turned out to be people wishing John Moon a happy 93rd birthday!
Herb Butler - Happy his wife received a clean bill of health from the doctor.
Tim - For the Governors visit last weekend. He was happy to get back before the snow came.
Jeremy Benson - Happy we have over 70 Pancake Day booster sponsor checks. Friday, April 10, is the deadline to get checks in so the sponsors name can be put on the placemat. However, he may be able to extend the deadline slightly. Please hurry so we can wrap this up!!
Owen - Happy for an article written by Pat Stout in the Macomb
Journal regarding a contemporary translation from the King James Bible.
The 50/50 Drawing was won by John Moon and he donated his share to the Salvation Army.
The latest edition of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District "Illeiowan" newsletter is now online.
Have you ever gotten stuck when trying to answer the question "what is Kiwanis?" Here's a quick 30 second response direct from Kiwanis International.
"Kiwanis International is an international organization of member-volunteers who give more than 6 million hours and more than $100 million each year to help change the world one child and one community at a time. Any community need can become a Kiwanis service project, especially if the need involves children, who should have the help and the right to lead healthy, successful lives. We believe that helping a child helps the world."
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