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Blitz more than doubles club’s numbers

To Carl Bailey, immediate past president of the Kiwanis Club of Simpsonville, South Carolina, fantastic projects such as an annual Christmas party, Special Olympics competition, and the donation of more than 10,000 books, aren’t good enough.

Simpsonville Kiwanians work with Goodwill Industries to donate more than 10,000 books annually to the community.

He—and the rest of the Simpsonville Kiwanians—wanted to do more. But to do more, they needed more members. So Carl made it his number-one goal to double the size of the club, which hovered around 18 members strong. The club mailed about 500 letters to the community in preparation for a membership blitz.

“Carl and I began going from business to business in the small downtown area and recruited eight new members who were not even on our prospect list,” says Bob Tillery, past president and lieutenant governor for Divisions 25 and 27. “We learned that the personal touch works the best. When the week was over, the club had recruited 28 new members with more to come.”

Members are now more excited than ever at what they and their club can accomplish.

“The greatest thing about our blitz is that it has given us confidence that we can build our club even bigger,” Bob says. “We have adjusted our goals. Now, we are shooting for 100 members by October 1.”