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The Reach Out, Kiwanis Bulletin |
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Kiwanis leaders from past years can be a seemingly endless source of tips and information. Below, experienced Kiwanis leaders provide pointers on how to make club, division, and district committees successful.
A committee should have a defined purpose, and everyone on the committee should know it. Periodically re-evaluate the purpose of all committees to keep them focused.
Make sure the right people are on the right committees. Members should be asked what assignment they would like before being named to a specific committee.
Have meetings only when necessary. Also, don't waste the entire committee's time on issues that concern only certain members.
Encourage everyone to participate during meetings. Actively listen to and respond to all committee members. Also, request input from "quiet" members.
Begin and end meeting on time.
Slate important items at the top of a meeting's agenda
Mail the meeting schedule to members before the committee gathers, giving them a chance to familiarize themselves with the agenda and prepare for discussion.
Avoid tangents - stay focused.
End each meeting with a summary of tasks to be done, by whom, and when.
Send committee members a meeting summary within one week, including key decisions and action items.
Make sure everyone gets credit for committee accomplishments.
Effective committees have members who are committed to a goal, who plan for their meetings, and who exercise self-discipline. Does this describe the committees in your club, division, or district? If not, take cues from past leaders.
Resolutions and amendments represent an opportunity for Kiwanis clubs and district to have input on the International level. April 1 is the deadline for submitting both proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the International Constitution and Bylaws. They will be reviewed by the appropriate International committee, possibly reworded and returned to the submitting club or district for approval and presented to delegates to the International Convention.
All inquiries and submissions regarding resolutions should be directed to the Program Development Department at the International Office. Proposed amendments and requests for additional information about them should be directed to the Member Services Department.
The Kiwanis Leader is looking for club stories that involve innovation and success, be they in the areas of fund raising, publicity, community service, member recruitment, or any other aspect of administration. The newsletter, which is published for club, division, and district leaders, shares success stories so they can be implemented by other Kiwanis clubs and districts.
If you have a story to share, compile a report that answers these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Also, include a list of things you would have done differently the next time around.
Photographs are encouraged as well. Preferably, pictures should be "action" shots at a club event. If someone in the club is shooting photos, have them to get as close as possible to the subject and shoot from several angles. If a newspaper covers your event, check to see if your "nonprofit" club could receive a few prints for "internal" publicity purposes.
Send everything to The Kiwanis Leader, 3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268 or you may e-mail the story if you like to leader@kiwanis.org.
Kiwanis Club of Vidalia, GA
P.O. Box 1183 • Vidalia, GA 30475
Meeting Place: Captains Corner Restaurant, Vidalia, GA, Tues. 12 Noon