Optimist International

IS YOUR BURGER STALE,ARE THE FRENCH FRIES

LIMP AND GREASY, HAS YOUR DRINK

LOST IT’S FIZZ AND IS THE APPLE PIE COLD

THE COMPETITION FOR MEMBERS IS FIERCE

“The person who figures out how to harness the

collective genius of the people in his or her organization

is going to blow the competition away.”

– Walter Wriston, former CEO, Citibank

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Based on What’s On the Menu

Why Would a Person Join Your Club?

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THE COMPETITION FOR MEMBERS IS FIERCE

WHAT’S VALUE PROPOSITIONWhat is your club offering that no one else has:

People’s number one concern is “What’s in this for

me?” Personal growth

Personal recognition

Developing leadership skills

Involvement/opportunity to contribute and give

back to

the community

A meaningful story to tell

Helping Kid’s4Optimist International

WHY PEOPLE VOLUNTEER

The number 1 reason why people volunteer is because they are asked.

The number 1 reason why they continue to volunteer is because their needs are met.

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MEANING MATTERS

Members of volunteer organizations are seeking: Meaningful purpose

Meaningful relationships

Meaning contributions

Sense of worth

Meaningful stories

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THE FIVE I’s OF ENGAGEMENT Identifying what the member wants.

Keeping the member Informed of the volunteer organization’s benefits and offerings.

Member identifies the benefits that are the most Interesting to him or her.

Must keep the member Involved in some action in support of organization and it’s membership.

Opportunity to ask the member to make a deeper level

of commitment by continuing their Investment in the organization.

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DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU’RE EATING What were the primary reasons you chose to get involved with your Optimist Club?

Who/what helped facilitate your decision to join your Optimist Club? How was that done?

What have been the primary benefits you have experienced as a member? As a volunteer? What value have those provided for you?

Based on your responses to the previous questions, what would you say are the most important things an organization

needs to do to provide value to its members?Optimist International 8

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A specific manageable taskwith a beginning and an end.

A task that matches interests and reasons for volunteering.

A good reason for doing the task.

Written instructions. A reasonable deadline for

doing the task. Freedom to complete the

task when and where it’s most convenient for the volunteer.

Everything necessary to complete the task.

Adequate training. A safe, comfortable, and

friendly working environment.

Follow-up to see that the task is completed.

An opportunity to provide feedback.

Appreciation, recognition, and rewards that match reasoning for volunteering.

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12 BASIC NEEDS OF CUSTOMERS

THE DIRTY DOZEN

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Bureaucracy and red tape.

No clear vision; lack of focus.

Not fun.

No end to commitment.

Not open to innovation and creativity.

Bad meetings or bad

planning.

Patronizing attitudes.

Fear of change.

Lack of appreciation.

No sense of community and spirit.

“Pay your dues” mentality.

Talents not taken advantage of.

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THE ENERGY INVESTMENT GRID

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Players (high attitude, high energy)

Spectators (high attitude, low energy)

Cynics(low attitude, high energy)

Walking Dead(low attitude, low energy)

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PICK UP THE PACE

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“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”

John Maxwell“They may forget what you said, but they

will never forget how you made them feel.”

Carl W. Buechner

PASSION

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PASSION

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Create an organization with a purpose that rises above the bottom line of membership quotas. Leverage the passion in each member Help our members discovered work that excites them Help our members find ways to make their volunteer lives exciting, meaningful and special Passionate people take risks and risks bring

new ideas and new ways of doing things Help members to continuously learn, reinvent themselves

and explore new things Help our members to believe in themselves and their

ability to build and grow this great organization14Optimist International

PASSIONPassion provides the motivation necessary to encourage our members to hone and practice their recruiting skills. Skills that will help them in recruiting new members and building new clubs

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“There are risks and costs to a program of action.

But they are far less than the long-range risks

and costs of comfortable inaction”

– John F. Kennedy

ACTION

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ACTION

Create an organization that is proactive in its approach to membership growth Actions speak louder than words We’ve got to walk-the-talk We have take massive, determined action in our approach to growth Actions produce results. Membership is not passive it is proactive Key is to focus, engage your mind on taking action, making what ever adjustments you need to keep your membership focused on growth

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“Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination,

allows vision, and gives us the ‘right stuff’ to

turn dreams into reality”

– James Womack

COMMITMENT

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COMMITMENT

Persistence with a Purpose Ignites action A pledge to a certain purpose or line of conduct Sound set of beliefs Practicing your beliefs consistently Faithful adherence to those beliefs

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COMMITMENT Commitment is the combination of two actions

Supporting Develop a commitment in the minds and hearts of your district’s membership Demonstrate by focusing on what is important and leading by example Walk-the-talk

Improving Willingness to look for a better way and learn from the process Challenging current expectations Taking risks Based on optimism in the future rather than dissatisfaction

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“Let us endeavor to live so that when we come to die

even the undertaker will be sorry.”

Mark Twain“Nothing great was ever achieved without

enthusiasm.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

ENTHUSIASM

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ENTHUSIASM

Enthusiasm is absolutely necessary if you ever want to accomplish anything of value. Be passionate about what we do

Love what you do and enthusiasm will follow Be creative Be positive

Fake till you make it Think and you’ll be it

Be proud of who we are Be proactive Be realistic Be patient Be evolving

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HOW DO WEPICK UP THE PACE

MEMBERSHIP STRATEGY

Programs

PGI Program NOW Programs Friend of Optimist Member-a-Month Hello My Name Is/Ask Me

Actions

NOW programs Hello My Name Is/Ask Me Role playing sessions/

elevator speeches Friend of Optimist events Commitments Marketing campaign/

advertising & PSAs Challenge deletions

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A STRATEGY FOR ASKING

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The number 1 reason why people volunteer is because they are asked.

Hello My Name / Ask Me Campaign

NOW Programs

Friend of Optimist Events

Member-A-Month

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Hello My Name Is Ask Me Campaign

HELLO MY NAME IS/ASK ME

HELLO MY NAME IS/ASK ME

THE SECRET

I’m living the best moments of my life! Right here! Right now! Because I’m an Optimist! You see Optimism has given me one of life’s greatest opportunities. To bring out the best in kids and in doing so it has brought out the best in me.

HOW TO RESPOND

HOW TO RESPOND

NOW Program

NOW PROGRAM

“NOW” is an acronym that stands for “New Optimist Wanted” and conveys the urgency of doing it now.’

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NOW PROGRAM

“NOW” is a program designed to capture the interest of qualified, prospective Optimist club members.

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NOW PROGRAM

A program exclusively for clubs committed to

achieving a net gain of 10 during theadministrative year.

The central feature is a dinner (or a series of dinners) at which goals and activities of the club are explained to prospects, previously qualified for membership, and

they are invited to join.

“NOW” is designed to last approximately four weeks not including the planning and follow-up. Optimist International 35

NOW PROGRAM

The “NOW” meeting must be a time when prospects will not be rushed.

At least two hours must be available for the meeting.

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KEY ELEMENTS IN THE PROGRAM Selection of nominees. Qualification of prospects by membership committee and board. Invitation sent to each qualified prospective member inviting him/her to the “NOW” dinner Personal invitations by table hosts. “Now” dinner Speech on Optimist International and club Invitation to membership Completion of membership invitation and collection of fees and dues Follow-up prospects who did not join at dinner meeting Preparation for next dinner if required to meet goalOptimist International 37

THE INVITATION

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Sample NOW Invitation:

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AGENDA

1. Call to order2. Invocation/Creed3. Meal service4. Welcome and purpose of the event5. Introduction of people at the head table6. Introduction of nominees

The presiding officer should introduce each table host, who then introduces the nominees at his or her table 7. Speeches on club and Optimist International8. Questions and answers9. Collect applications and membership fees10. Coffee and informal fellowship11. Adjournment

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NOW DINNER

Conduct the dinner as planned. After the presentations and the recruitment speech, provide an opportunity to complete Member Invitations. Do not be apologetic about collecting the membership fee and dues. (Most clubs collect the full membership fee and a prorated portion of the dues, based upon the balance of the dues period.) If, for some reason, a check will not be written at the time, the committee should arrange for personal follow-up.

NOW MONTH

Friend of Optimist Event

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FRIEND OF OPTIMIST EVENT

A Friend of Optimist Event is designed to capture the interest of individuals who are looking for volunteer opportunities and showcase your club’s community service activities.

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FRIEND OF OPTIMIST PARTY

A program to introduce your club to the community and solicit volunteers to join the Optimist movement.

The central feature is an open house/pancake breakfast, barbeque, picnic event at which the volunteer is introduced to the community service goals and activities of your club and Optimist International.

Friend of Optimist Events are designed to expand Optimist Internationals outreach into the community

by recruiting Friend of Optimist volunteers.

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FRIEND OF OPTIMIST EVENT

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The “FRIEND OF OPTIMIST” event must be a time when prospects will not be rushed.

At least two hours must be available for the meeting.

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE EVENT Invite anyone interested in becoming a community volunteer. Promote the event (personal contact, posters, newspaper ads, PSAs, etc.) Greeters working the crowd. Members wear “Hello My Name Is” badges. Name badges provided to each guest. The Event (breakfast, barbeque, picnic, etc.) Speech on Optimist International and club activities Invitation to join the movement Completion of membership invitation and collection of fees and dues Follow-up prospects who did not join at the event. Preparation for the next activity.

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AGENDA

1. Call to order2. Invocation/Creed3. Welcome and purpose of the event4. Meal service5. Introduction of club officers, VIPs, 6. Speeches on club and Optimist International7. Questions and answers8. Collect applications and membership fees9. Fun, games, fellowship10. Adjournment

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Member A Month Program

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MEMBER A MONTH PROGRAM

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Club President recruits twelve (12) members to a Membership Team and appoints one member as captain. The team develops a list of not less than twenty-four (24) prospective members. Prospects are screened for club membership, identified to the club members and voted upon by the members before being invited to join. Beginning with October, the first month of the administrative year, the twelve team members are each assigned a month. Because compiling the list, screening the prospects and receiving board approval may require as much as a month, the

team should begin working together no later September 15. Each team member seeks to recruit one or more members from the approved list of prospects during his or her month. If the member has not signed-up a prospect by the 20th of his or her month, the captain calls in the other team members to help so at

least one member will be added per month. By working together as a team the team can easily add one or more members per month to their club’s roster.

Member Retention

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MEMBER RETENTION

The number 1 reason why they continue to volunteer is because their needs are met.

PGI Program

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MEMBER RETENTION

The Personal Growth & Involvement Program offers every Optimist Club Member the opportunity to grow personally and learn more about Optimism while advancing through ten levels of involvement, personal growth and achievement.

ELEMENTS OF P. G. I.

Attendance

Activity

Growth

Knowledge of the Organization

Self Development

Communication

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Allows Club members to be recognized and appreciated for personal and professional accomplishments. Give members an opportunity to participate in long-term Club involvement while learning more about Optimism. Gives each the personal responsibility for his/her involvement in

Club activities. Offers personal growth opportunities to each member. Provides members with Club meeting ideas and ideas for membership recruitment and retention. Prepares members for leadership roles at the Club, Zone and

District levels.

P. G. I. Benefits

Celebrate New Members/Challenge

Deletions

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When a new member joins our organization they will receive a letter from the District welcoming them, offering them support and encouraging them to become active in our personal growth and involvement program. The club president would also receive a letter congratulating the club on its new member or members. When a member leaves our organization they will receive an exit letter asking them why they left and wishing them the best for the future volunteer efforts . A letter would also go to each Club that deletes members. These letters would would offer empathy, understanding and support in efforts to replace those members.

NEW MEMBERS/DELETIONS

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MARKETING CAMPAIGN

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A CLUB THAT SIZZLES

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A Six-Pack of Suggestions Understand that your power is in your ability to influence your club leadership and members

Pick the best people and empower them

Add value to your members’ lives

Create a climate of high expectations

Inspire and motivate

Hold people accountable58

QUESTIONS

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