One club’s formula for success

How did they do that? How did a half dozen early rising La Canada Californians steadily grow into an 80-plus-member Kiwanis club?

There is no magic membership potion for all Kiwanis clubs, says La Canada-AM Kiwanis club immediate past president Dave Hemstreet, but he adds that he has noticed a few characteristics that contribute to the club’s success.

•  The club added more active retirees than working members. About 65 percent of the club’s members are retired.

•  Singing became a key attribute of the club from the earliest days. “Our club is truly energized each week by our boisterous singing of old favorites, birthday and anniversary greetings, and even Christmas carols each December in the halls of our local hospital,” Dave says.

•  The club performs “hands-on” service. “Because most of our members are retired, one of our biggest strengths is in volunteering our time and energy, rather than just donating funds to worthwhile projects. Our food-distribution project—now in its 11th year—requires more than 22 members a month,” Dave explains. The Kiwanians deliver surplus baked goods and foods seven days a week from supermarkets and coffee shops to nine community and meal centers in the Los Angeles area.

•  There are no fines at La Canada-AM Kiwanis club meetings. “Some of our members are on tight budgets, and fines can place them in uncomfortable or embarrassing positions,” Dave says. “We still are able to raise voluntary contributions each week through “happy/sad bucks,” century club donations ($100 for a birthday, anniversary, or other special celebration), and quarterly white elephant auctions.”

•  “Finally,” Dave says, “we are blessed with strong leadership in our club.” More than 20 percent of the membership lead other organizations, ranging from the chamber of commerce to the city’s Rose Parade float committee.

“We know that to sustain our leaders two, three, or even five years out,” Dave says, “we must keep involving our newer members on committees and urge them to attend workshops at conventions and midyear conferences. Committee chairpersons are encouraged to delegate responsibilities, and new members are urged to attend monthly board meetings and division council meetings to get a feel for how decisions are made. In short, leaders must spawn leaders!”

One attribute, the La Canada-AM past president says, is crucial: enthusiasm. “It’s catching,” he says. “Our leadership is enthusiastic; so, our members—be they young or old—catch the bug. Prospective members want to join our club because it’s such an energized group of men and women.

“Above all, we love Kiwanis. We love the new friends we make, and we love to serve our community and our youth however we can.”