Activities create Rocky Mountain Kiwanis high

Jim Corley says his interest in joining the Grand Junction, Colorado, Kiwanis club was compounded by his banker.

Youngsters give a Grand Junction Kiwanian their undivided attention during the club’s annual Children’s Safety Walk.

A line of Kiwanians puts its best feet—and legs—forward during a pancake breakfast fundraiser.

“As we got to know each other better, he told me about his club and its mission, and invited me to one of its luncheons,” Jim explains. “He didn’t have to tell me much more to sell me on the organization; the club did the rest. At that meeting—and subsequent meetings, I was impressed tremendously by the kindness extended me by every member of the club and saw how dedicated they are to supporting Kiwanis’ mission. I just had to be a part of that.”

Jim’s instant enthusiasm for Kiwanis did not come about by accident. The Grand Junction club is active and makes sure its new members become involved as quickly as possible—one of the reasons its membership numbers more than 120.

“We have added 10 members since the first of the year,” notes club secretary Lynne Sorlye. “Our biggest success came during a special luncheon for prospective members in early March. We asked each club member to send invitations to at least three people, with our membership committee following up to make sure the people received them.”

The luncheon itself was carefully scripted, Lynne says, with a focus on Kiwanis in action.

“We had testimonials from our membership chairwoman, a new member, a long-time member, and the chairperson from one of our service projects,” Lynne explains. “They talked about their Kiwanis experience, and we played the wonderful One Can Make a Difference video. We got seven applications within the week.”

The key to developing new members into longtime members, Lynne believes, is follow-up.

“We ask each new member to attend orientation before induction, and we assign a club member to mentor the new person for 90 days so they feel welcome and know what is going on,” she says. “We try to sign them up for committees as soon as possible. We are an active club with a cross section of ages, from young professionals in their 20s to senior members with more than 50 years of service.”

Jim Corley says the approach works.

“The club here in Grand Junction makes you feel like you belong from the minute you get here,” Jim insists. “Their enthusiasm is infectious. After meeting and knowing these good folks and understanding the mission of the club, you just want to be part of something that does so much good and makes you feel so good doing it.”