Membership Newsletter # 4 February 25, 2008 Hello Gyro: The purpose of this Newsletter is to establish a regular correspondence network with and between all individuals who are responsible for membership in our organization. In reality this Newsletter should be accessible to all Gyros, as each and every Gyro is responsible for membership. Please note that the Newsletters are posted on the Gyro Website: www.gyro.ws. Another expectation of this network is that individuals will communicate with each other to follow up on ideas and information expressed in these Newsletters or from other sources. Ideas received since Newsletter #3 were as follows: #20 Habits are regularly repeated behavior patterns that become typical of a person s routine, although he or she may be unaware of it. Members from Northern Clubs who travel south for a number of months to escape the cold weather and may not have the opportunity to attend Gyro Meetings while in the south could lose the routine of attending meetings when they return north. An idea could be for the Northern Clubs to adjust their meeting schedules to March to December from September to June and not meet in January and February, when the sledding is tough for those who remain behind as well. This would provide a better opportunity for the Snow Birds to attend regularly and continue their routine. Also it will boost the number of members in attendance at the meeting. #21 A note from President Ab Nightingale on a new Club Recognition Program. In passing, you should be aware that I am presently in the process of preparing a chart that will allow us to start a program of honouring all clubs which celebrate their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 75th, 90th and 100th anniversary. For this year I will be sending certificates to: 25th - Marion OH; 40th none; 50th - Edmonton Crossroads (Already sent), Fort Lauderdale; 60th - Hollyburn; 75th Trail, San Jose; 90th none; 100thnone For more information view the Club Charter Dates Listing on the Gyro Website. #22 Lee Canning, Membership Chair of the Minneapolis Metro Gyro Club raises an issue that occurred at a meeting and he would like to know how to deal with it. We encountered a situation (a speaker who tried to sell members something while he was a guest speaker) that led to intense irritation. We would like to know if other Gyro clubs had taken steps in their by-laws to curtail/eliminate such incidents. It struck me that your E-mail to Gyro Membership Chairs might be a great conduit on which to raise the question and learn if other clubs had encountered the problem and what they had done about it. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide. Lee Canning, Membership Chair, Minneapolis Metro Gyro club #23 An Idea the Minneapolis Suburban Club uses to introduce the younger generation to Gyro. I understand this event was a sold-out success. Thanks for the great idea; as we have learned from the research, the younger Gyros are interested in sports related events.
# 24 Thanks to PIP Tom Lennox for this most positive report on how a club can be returned to Excellent Health. Rochester Gyro Club Case History In the early 1990 s, the Rochester Gyro Club had about 50 members. They were semi-active and only published two newsletters a year, usually to announce an upcoming function. The outgoing President subsidized the few events to the extent that the Club had no money left in its treasury. The incoming President, new to the Club, sought advice, and was advised to raise the annual dues from $125 to $150. The Club immediately lost 10 members. In an effort to rebuild the membership, the incoming President started a monthly bulletin, advising the members not only of the upcoming functions, but of the new and innovative events which were designed to draw new members and encourage regular members to attend. A series of new events were scheduled and those that were successful were made annual events. With these events being so successful, the members started inviting their friends to attend and these friends brought in their friends. New social and business groups became aware of the Club and its activities and the membership started growing. Each successive President has continued the monthly bulletin and the introduction of new social events and our membership has grown from 40 to about 95 currently. We have never had a membership chairman, as our membership is self-perpetuating; with the new members enjoying it so much they bring in their friends. Initially there was some objection to the growth in membership, as it made one of our regular events impossible. With only 40 or 50 members the Club would have BYOB parties at member s homes where everyone brings their own beverages and each Gyrette would bring a plate of appetizers. The host would provide ice, glasses and Gyro hospitality. When the membership started growing it became impossible to hold these at most members homes as they could not accommodate the larger crowd. For a while we only had them at those homes that would accommodate the larger crowd. The demand for this type of activity was so large that members started banding together in groups of three or four and renting an all-season park pavilion which would handle the larger crowds. The format stayed the same, everyone brought their own beverage, the Gyrettes would bring a plate of appetizers and the hosts would furnish the ice and disposable glasses. Other activities that have continued year after year because of their success are a steak roast (about $15 per person) with everything but the steak being provided by the Gyrettes, a pig roast (about $15 per person) where all food items are furnished. A clam and lobster bake (about $30.00 per person) where all food items are furnished. Each of these is at a park pavilion and are BYOB with appetizers being furnished by the Gyrettes. We have a Valentines Day Luncheon for the ladies, where each is a guest of the Club,
receives a red rose, and is treated to entertainment such as a Barbershop Quartet. We have a Kentucky Derby Day party at a member s home, where in addition to the BYOB format; the host provides Mint Juleps and a wagering setup for the race. We have a pool party every summer at a members home, once again a BYOB format, but the host provides hamburgers and hot dogs and a picnic at a park pavilion where the hosts provide hamburgers, hot dogs with all of the extras. Our Installation is done at our black tie Christmas party, held at a private Woman s Club in the city with appetizers, dinner, dancing, Christmas Carols and, of course, the Installation. The business of the Club is handled at our weekly luncheon meeting, held at a local Country Club, from September through June with the highlight being a game of liar s poker at the end of lunch with as many as 20 or 25 playing. Last year we started having a speaker about once a month, to which we invite the ladies. It has proven to be very popular. Although most of the activities are planned and run by a small percentage of the Club, those people seem happy to do so year after year. An effort is being made currently to get more people, particularly the new members involved in planning and executing the social calendar. Our current President arranged the entire 2008 schedule in December 2007 and published it with the January 2008 bulletin. Our current cap on membership is 100, but the general feeling is that should we have the opportunity to grow beyond that number we will change the cap. All in all the Rochester Club has a well-planned social schedule, well attended, is financially strong, even to the point where we willingly subsidize many social events to make them more attractive, and should continue to be that way for many years to come. #25 Friendships are an Action What do we tell a prospective Gyro member? We likely tell him we are a Friendship Fraternity. It was pointed out by one of our members at a recent meeting; if the new member attends a meeting and does not observe or feel the friendship, than he will realize that it is just a catchy phrase, rather than a meaningful action. Make new members feel comfortable and welcome. Introduce them to other club members. Remember that many people are apprehensive when they first come to a group meeting, and it is up to you to make them feel welcome. #26: Keeping an organization alive is in many ways dependent upon finding new members. Here are some suggestions on how to attract new members. In order for any organization to stand the test of time, it is essential to attract new members. This is a task that can appear intimidating, but really is not all that difficult. After all, we all were at one time a new member of an organization. Perhaps the first thing to do is remember why you were attracted to an organization. What did it do to get your attention? What made you decide to stick around? Obviously the organization was doing something right you just have to figure out the right techniques for your club to do the same. Here are some suggestions. Keeping Who You Have Keep your meetings to the point, short and sweet. If meetings start to drag on, some members might grow restless and move on.
Keep the lines of communication open between meetings via phone calls or e-mails. It is important to keep in touch with each other. Always maintain an atmosphere of respect in your meetings. Nothing will make people run, and turn new people off, like constant drama and bickering. Finding New Members Promote Gyro among your friends. Have a website with contact information that is easy to locate on the site. Be sure to follow up requests for information as soon as possible. Someone should be designated to be in charge of handling this. Welcome Newcomers Go around the room and have everyone introduce themselves to the newcomer(s). Keeping in Touch Add new members to your get involved list as soon as possible, and send a welcome e-mail message. Be sure to invite all new members to the next meeting. Once or twice a year have a get acquainted or welcome event, just to socialize and get to know each other better. Some Additional Concerns Are you making an effort to attract people from different age groups and walks of life? Is the location where you hold your meetings accessible and convenient for persons with disabilities? #27 During the Governors meeting at the Tucson Interim Meeting an open discussion on possible steps that could be taken to increase membership were presented, as well as ways to identify when a club is approaching an unhealthy stage. The following ideas were put forward: 1. Clubs which have increased their membership should be asked how they accomplished it; ie. Rochester 2. Some of the clubs increased their membership by holding meetings at Golf Clubs. 3. Good social events led to an increase in membership. 4. Involving the Gyrettes in more activities was noted as a great way to increase membership. 5. To counter cliques at club social events, draw names out of a hat for seating arrangements, so members mix and socialize with more members. 6. Invitees should receive a copy of the Club s Newsletter before they leave the party. 7. Following the party, a Thank You note should come from the Club President thanking the guest for attending the meeting or social.
8. House Parties are still one of the most popular venues for mixing and socializing. 9 If a club does not seem to want to grow, there must be a major reason. This requires immediate action, otherwise the club will continue its decline and reach a point of No Return. # 28 Publicity Is your Club doing projects that are important to your community? If it is, then others in your community need to hear about your good deeds. Publicize your community service events. Let people in your community know about the good work you are doing. Newspapers, radio and television will gladly promote your community events; they will be supportive in advertising your accomplishments and community participation. #29 The Monthly Membership Reports indicate the addition of the following numbers of New Members: November 22 December - 8 January - 23 Welcome to our New Members and Congratulations to their Sponsors. Enjoy your Gyro Experience! If you are doing something in your club and/ or district which would be of benefit to others; and are willing to share it, contact me by e-mail or letter. Please pass this newsletter along to other members in your club. Yours in Gyro Friendship, Harold Bernard International Third Vice President and Membership Chairman