Kiwanis is not a Secret!

Start spreading the news! From the series of Habits of Successful Clubs This encourages you to LOUDLY TELL THE KIWANIS CLUB STORY.
Successful Kiwanis clubs have outstanding internal public relations. Keep your members informed with:
• a well-built and maintained Web site
• a club bulletin (electronic, postal or both)
• short e-mail blasts to remind about club meetings, service projects, social events
• any other creative ways to stay in contact
Successful Kiwanis clubs encourage members to read KIWANIS magazine and the district publication. Have a spot-quiz at meetings where members can earn a restaurant gift certificate by correctly answering a question that refers to an item in the most recent magazine or district bulletin.
Successful Kiwanis clubs have outstanding external public relations. People will be more receptive to your club’s fundraising efforts when they see the great things being done with the money. Good external PR also helps your club because potential members will be more receptive to joining a club that has community recognition for its positive impact.
If you have troubles getting the media to be receptive, try having an annual Media Appreciation Day as a club program. Each year, set aside one meeting to plan for and invite radio station and television station managers and newspaper editors. Celebrate their local work to keep the public informed. Additionally, establish simple criteria and select an annual winner for Best News Story or Reporter of the Year. Present the award at your event when their colleagues are in attendance at your meeting. This may help set the stage for your Kiwanis club to receive coverage when you need to promote a fundraiser or to tell the community about a recent service project.
Some say that Kiwanis is a well-kept secret. Let’s get the secret out. Thanks for reading and for making time to make a difference for your club.
Yours in service,
Paul Palazzolo
Kiwanis International President