Programs & Membership

1. Programs & Membership

2. Membership • There is an inexplicable tie between programs and membership • People want to be involved with positive causes • People want to be involved with known causes • People want to know their time is respected and valued

3. Why do we lose members? • No discernible programs • The club is defined by one single program that isn’t appealing to all • Too many programs • Programs not relevant to the community • Meetings are not enjoyable • Yes – meetings are a club program!

4. To add new members • Take a look at your programs • Do they invite a diverse population to participate? • Do they rely too heavily on fund raising? • Are they labor intensive? • Is there a mix of adult and children’s activities?

5. To add new members • Take a look at your meeting • Do outsiders feel welcome? • Is it dominated by personality or potential? • Is there meaningful conversation or networking time? • Is there a program to help your members learn and grow as involved citizens? • Is it fun?

6. Why add new members?Growth = Service • New ideas • More projects • Better programs • More money • More friends • More resources for getting things done • More fellowship • New leaders • Club achievement • Increased sense of pride • Provide more service to more kids

7. PEPER- A strategy for growth • Participate • Enjoy • Promote • Enlist • Retain Club maintenance reminder Complete the CRA

8. International Programs • Our brand is enhanced when our Optimist Clubs participate in the same programs • Flagship Ideas • Childhood Cancer Campaign • The Optimist (formerly OIJGC) Optimist International Golf Championships • JOOI – Junior Optimist Octagon International • Presentation from Gay Enyeart, Past Governor and JOOI Chair for 2008-2009

9. International Programs • Scholarship Programs have been funded by Optimist International Foundations • Optimist Essay Contest • Optimist Oratorical Contest • Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

10. International Programs • Publications and promotions are funded by the Optimist International Foundations • Respect for Law • Youth Appreciation • Safety Awareness • Tri-Star Sports

11. Using resources wisely • Optimist International has selected these programs because they have a universal appeal and speak to the purposes of Optimist Clubs • Doesn’t it make sense to use the tools that Optimist International gives us?

12. Activity • What program does your club struggle with? • Discuss ways to make the current program contemporary and appealing to the students in your community • How can you share these ideas with the clubs in your zone?

13. Telling your Optimist Club Story • No one knows what your club is doing until you tell them about it • You have an unique opportunity as club president to help spread the word • After all, we’ve already learned that communication is the key to success

14. Optimist Club Promotion • Let’s use a few examples from our introductions • Brainstorm the best way to get the word out in your community about these great projects

15. Great resource! • Visit www.newoptimistclub.com and click on the “Tell Your Story” link to get great ideas for: • Writing press releases • Choosing a spokesperson • Networking • Writing newsletters • Starting a blog • The Elevator Speech • Communicating with others

16. Break Membership Recruitment & Retention Ed Murphy

17. New Club Building

18. The Greatest Program Ever • New Club Building • Lets you share why you are an Optimist with a whole new group of people.

19. New Club Building Forming a new club in a new community is one of the most rewarding community service projects that you will ever perform • You’ll revisit the reasons that you participate in your club and build your enthusiasm along the way.

20. Why form new clubs? • To meet the needs of growing communities • To provide service • Reach more kids • Betterment of community • New enthusiasm in area • New friends • Fellowship • Business Contacts • Build the roster of your own club • Awards • Brand recognition Benefit to new club area Benefit to existing club

21. Who should be involved? • The member that wants to do just a little bit more • The lieutenant governor of the zone where the club is being formed • The District New Club Building Chair • The Governor

22. Are you motivated? • Get help • Optimist International Web Site • newoptimistclub.com Web site • Past governors • Past new club building chairs • Former new club builders • Attend a new club building workshop • Follow the directions

23. Goals Workshop

24. Goals • Setting goals is important for personal accomplishment. • Goals should SMART • Strategic • Measurable • Attainable • Realistic • Timely

25. Expectations • Our Awards program reflect worthwhile goals. • Let’s take a look at what Peter hopes we will accomplish

26. District Goals for 2008-09 • 10 new clubs between June 1, 2008 and Sept. 30, 2009 • At least 6 of those clubs between Oct. 1, 2008 and Sept. 30, 2009 • Total membership growth of 5% (net 100 new members)

27. Honor Club Requirements • Membership: Net increase of 5 members; (net increase 1 new member for clubs with >75 members). • Finances: All District and international dues paid by September 30, 2009.

28. Honor Club (Cont’d) • Service Projects: A minimum of 3 service projects completed AND at least one CPA entry (Community Service or Fundraising). • Club Reports: Officer-Elect Report by 20 May, 2009 AND President’s Pride Report by 30 September, 2009. • Attendance: Club President or designate attends 50% of District Meetings.

29. Distinguished Club Requirements • Alternate A – New Club Building Sponsor or co-sponsor a new Optimist club with a minimum of 25 fully paid Charter Members AND Complete the New Club follow-up program.

30. Distinguished Club (Cont’d) • Alternate B – MembershipClub of 25 or more members on Oct 1: NET increase of 25 by Sept. 30 ORClub of <25 members: net increase at least 15 members with at least 25 members enrolled in the club on Sept. 30.

31. Distinguished Club (Cont’d) • Alternate C – JOOI Club Sponsorship + MembershipPart 1: Sponsor a new Junior Optimist, Alpha or Octagon club with 15 members; complete follow-up program by Nov. 30, 2009 Part 2 The Sponsor club shows a net increase of 15 members by Sept. 30

32. Distinguished Lt. Governor Requirements • Attend at least 3 District Executive Meetings (attendance at a 2nd Quarter Regional Meeting counts). • Complete the Annual Club Planning Conference Report for EVERY club in the Zone. • Zone shows a net membership increase of 5%.

33. Distinguished Lt. Governor (Cont’d) • One new club in zone OR 100% Clubs in zone attain Honor Club. • Hold at least 3 Zone Meetings and SUBMIT reports to District Secretary-Treasurer.

34. Goals Activity • Write down some goals for determining a direction for your year as Club President. • Think about: • How many members will your club add? • How many service projects will your club perform? • How much money will your club raise? • Then ask yourself: • How will we do it? TIP: SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS THAN HONOR CLUB

35. Resources • Optimist Leaders Online http://www.optimistleaders.org/default.cfm?vp=sitemap.htm#leadership • Optimists Serve their Community http://newoptimistclub.com • Optimist International http://www.optimist.org • PNW District http://www.pnwdistrict.org • PNW District Blog http://www.pnwdistrictoptimist.blogspot.com

36. Information about this presentation Linda Jackson 208.861.2310 lindaj@qwest.net linda@newoptimistclub.com