Communications and Marketing

Our District, and others will have a variety of Directors. Secretary and Treasurer may be self explanatory, their jobs needed and understood. Membership Director is at the top and pushed to be very important by National. However their role is fuzzy, membership services or attracting new members or all of above. Others like Service, Coordinator, Risk Manager or Awards are set out for a defined executive role, helping take some of the executive work away from the leadership.

As we approach our Midterm and next years executive is in the throes of planning their year, I thought that I would comment to executive positions and their role within our District. The District (and Club) executives need to progress the interests of that District or Club. Are we taking care of business?  What are some of the issues that seem to be put on the side burner? In my year as Governor, I had a Marketing Director. I have never heard of others appointing this position. We have had a Communications Director in the past, but now this is probably the most important position we could have.

Marketing Director;

A Membership Director may help the Clubs stay alive or bring out new members. However I have never heard of a Membership Director that actually added members to a Club. As an Association, we need to be marketed. National should have a marketing program with national advertizements, promotions and programs. Districts must be responsible in taking care of their own interests. Why do we not have a Marketing Director, a person to just promote Kin Canada across the District? Do we need someone to tell Clubs to have a steak and beans night? Or do we need someone to teach us how to promote our Clubs and projects?

We need to move forward and abandon our 30 year old habits. In business, your number one issue is Marketing.

Communications Director;

We have had this position for many years, but now is the time for a dedicated Communication Director. I have heard, for years that we should use Skype and the like to attract younger members. I am tired of hearing about Skype from people that don't know what their talking about. We have many very important issues that would be the purview of the Communications Director;

Website - and excellent tool for the storage and access of information, documents and templates.
Facebook - tool for the quick release of information and discussion.
Twitter - good for short and quick distribution of information and promotion.
Blogs - great for education
Take 5 (District newsletter) - alternative to electronic forms for sending information.

As you may notice, these issues mesh perfectly with Marketing. We need all these things to function perfectly if we are to survive. It is a huge job and very important. In order to do these jobs will take a lot of effort and time. My belief is that we need a strong Communications Director and that person must be dedicated to the job. Our survival depends on information and promotion, we must use the above items everyday to keep Kin in the forefront of all Kin and those outside Kin.

Conclusion;

I am not commenting to any District or Club executive council, it is rather an overall view of Kin. We seem to be ignoring promotions and communications within Kin, and concentrating on paperwork (which does need to be accomplished) just not at the expense of distributing information. I have talked about communications a couple times before in this blog and about the purpose of a website, check those posts.

Every Member needs and wants information and kept in the loop. We must have a steady stream of emails, Facebook comments, tweets, blog posts and documents posted to the website, in order to advance. It is not just up to the Council, it is up to every member to ask for and send information to the District and to PROMOTE KIN. If we all stay in our own corner and do not participate, we will not progress.

Missing in Action

Sorry all for my lack of participation in this blog. I have had some issues and stepped back from Kin and my commitments. Having said that, I will slowly be coming back. There are times that we must re-access our priorities.

I will be starting to post, I believe that we must all be active in the politics of Kin. This is my way to spread my opinion and views. I do not wish to insult, accuse or upset anyone. These are just ideas to be contemplated. If you have an opposing thought, please comment to my post. If you have a subject that you would like me to speak on, please let me know.

Thank You for your interest, we will talk soon.

The Foundation of Kin (Survey results)

There were two reasons that I posted this survey. The first one was to try out “Survey Monkey”. This was a learning experience; I have learned a lot more about how it works. The response was great, they only allow me 100 responses, I had well over that number. The second reason was for my information about how the members look at Kin. This was a huge eye opener for me. Thanks to all that participated, you are the reason I am here.

The Facts;

The Priority of reasons for joining Kin?

Top reason -              Service                                  47%

                                    Fellowship                            44%

                                    Personal Development         9%

Second reason -        Fellowship                            44%

                                    Service                                  36%

                                    Personal Development          20%

Last reason -             Personal Development        66%

                                    Service                                 19%

                                    Fellowship                            15%

The priority of reason for staying in Kin?

Top reason -              Service                                  48%

                                    Fellowship                            44%

                                    Personal Development         8%

Second reason -      Fellowship                             42%

                                    Service                                34%

                                    Personal Development        23%

Last reason -             Personal Development       68%

                                    Service                                19%

                                    Fellowship                           13%

• The reason for members to join Kin is relatively the same as the reason for members to stay in Kin.

•    Service is the top foundation of Kin, with Fellowship a VERY close second.

•  Personal/Professional Development is, by far, the lowest priority.

The Analysis;

To help with Membership numbers, our members and Clubs will have to know what the priorities are for people. As is noted, Service is the main reason that people join and the main reason Kin stay involved. Although it must be noted that Fellowship is just barely behind Service. Personal Development being way down the list, this should not be a top priority for your Club.

Clubs should investigate the following actions;

•  Make sure you are doing a variety of projects to raise money.

•  Do projects that directly help individuals or organizations.

•   Have meetings that allow time for members to mingle.

•   Have a social get together, as often as practical.

• Still include the education, but relax on structure of the Club.

My Personal Conclusion;

I was stunned by the results of this survey. I have always thought that Service must be the lowest priority. There are too many ways for one to “give back” or to donate. I was under the impression that Service is just what we do, not necessarily what we want. Boy, was I mistaken, I guess members need an outlet for their benevolence. Clubs should ensure Service stays high on their list of priorities.

Fellowship is a very close second and this fact must be remembered by the membership. This tells me that Kin wish to meet often and have plenty of free time allotted. Presidents and Governors need to keep this in mind when planning meetings. Social time is very important to Kin.

This was the most shocking for me. The priority of Personal Development is rock bottom. The education was always a huge factor for me. But, I do think that most members have not received the education in Kin that I have. I have participated in every level of Kin and have received an abundance of Kin Ed. Most members may not know what is available. However, with these results, we should maybe relax the structure and history at our functions.

Grow. Learn. Make Friends. Have Fun.  Just being funny.. lol.

If you see something different, please comment your opinion.

 

Art of debate gone in Kin Canada?

Have you heard this "We want no negativity"? or "Only deal with the good not the bad"? Of course you have, these types of feel good slogans have invaded our Association. They may sound good, but when you go past the surface you will find they destroy our foundation.

Now when one stands to oppose an issue, they are labeled with being negative. We must look at all sides of an issue, good and bad. To disregard the Members that do not have the same opinion as you, will not serve to build our Association.

We don't have time for debate. Don't be negative. Let the Members talk about it themselves. Only three speakers for and against. You can only talk for two minutes. These are all the issues that we must remove. Debate can only help our Members and our Association grow.

Debate is what we were founded on. We must continue to develop our debating skills. Do not limit debate at your Club, District or National. Give the time for discussion and encourage courteous debate.

GET THE ART BACK.

The purpose for a website

Why do we need websites?

• To establish an internet presence
• As an extension of our current advertising (phone, newspapers, etc.)
• To enhance Kin Canada's professional image
• To offer Kin Canada information and give the public a favorable impression
• To increase public awareness of Kin Canada's name, brand or identity
• To strengthen our position in the eye of the public
• To strengthen brand identification
• To develop prospects
• To explain our purpose
• To encourage potential members to contact us by phone, mail or e-mail
• To bring in new members to our location
• To offer links to other relevant sites
• To provide information to the public and the members
• To offer a virtual community, a place where users can interact with each others

As you can see, a website has many purposes and uses. We must keep these points in mind when we form a website for our Club, District and the National site.

Most importantly, we have a website as a library for the members. The website must have all the necessary files, schedules, forms, contacts, documents, Power Points, applications, lists and all the assorted information that the members may need. These files must also be sorted in a fashion that they can be found by all members. We need a place where all Kin can go to "Learn and Grow" and find the vital information they will need.

Ask your Webmaster to build that library...this works far better than Dropbox, without having to download an invasive program.

Is Kin Canada full of volunteers?

I have heard this statement many times, "But I am just a Volunteer". This statement is used only for one purpose, for an excuse to not follow through with an obligation.

Here is the definition of Volunteer;

One who enters into, or offers for, any service of his own free will.

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One who enters into service voluntarily, but who, when in service, is subject to discipline and regulations like other soldiers; -- opposed to conscript; specifically, a voluntary member of the organized militia of a country as distinguished from the standing army.

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A grantee in a voluntary conveyance; one to whom a conveyance is made without valuable consideration; a party, other than a wife or child of the grantor, to whom, or for whose benefit, a voluntary conveyance is made.

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Of or pertaining to a volunteer or volunteers; consisting of volunteers; voluntary; as, volunteer companies; volunteer advice.

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To offer or bestow voluntarily, or without solicitation or compulsion; as, to volunteer one's services.

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To enter into, or offer for, any service of one's own free will, without solicitation or compulsion; as, he volunteered in that undertaking.

 Now I put to you this query, If one offers or volunteers to do a job, (chair a project or a position on District executive, etc.) are they then still a volunteer, or are they now obligated to complete that job?

When one offers, of their own free will, to take a position or accomplish a task, they are then obligated to a job. Many Kin depend on the "free will" of other Kin. If we use the term "I am just a volunteer" we not only let down our self, but we let down many others.

I am not a volunteer! I have given my commitment to Kin, and I will follow through, to the best of my abilities. I have faltered and for that I am sorry, when I commit to a task, I will do my best. So my belief is that Kin does have a few volunteers and many more with a job to do. 

Are you a volunteer?