1. Sponsoring club orientation
We’ve learned that a thorough orientation is an important member retention tool, so we prepared this presentation for you to share with members of your Kiwanis club.
Depending on your circumstances, it may work best for the new club builder or the sponsoring club to help lead this session.
Feel free to make this presentation your own. Save it electronically, fill in the blanks or tailor the slides to meet your club’s needs. If you decide to add new slides, please maintain the integrity of the Kiwanis graphic standards by using the “Insert New Slide” function.
Here’s the equipment you’ll need:
Instructor’s guide (the PowerPoint notes pages)
A laptop computer, the PowerPoint file and a LCD projector if large group
A handout of slides for participants (optional)
A DVD player, sound and selected videos from
Be sure to set up and test your equipment in advance.

2. Thank you!
Thank you for stepping up and taking on this important responsibility in your community. By sponsoring a new Kiwanis club, you have already recognized that more Kiwanis clubs means more service in your community. And the reality is that one club format may not be attractive to all potential members.

3. Benefits What will your club learn? Develop a prospect list
Prepare a recruitment letter
Utilize the local media resources
Use successful recruitment techniques
Follow up prospective members
Not only will your community benefit from a new club, but as the sponsoring club, you too will learn some things through the process that will help your club thrive.
By learning how to best use these recruitment tools, the new club will be chartered quickly. And you can begin implementing the same strategies for your own club.

4. Benefits How will recruiting help your club?
Similar recruiting techniques
Renewed commitment and energy
More choices to offer prospective members
Spread the word about Kiwanis in general
The members who get involved in the recruiting efforts are going to learn how to use the right tools, but they are also going to learn recruitment techniques that will benefit the sponsoring club. As your club works in chartering a new club, the sponsoring club will also renew its commitment to the community and to Kiwanis service. This applies to the projects, activities and even to overall membership.
In speaking with potential new members, recruiters may find some potential members interested in signing up with your club instead of the new club, for one reason of another.

5. Responsibilities What is expected of your club?
Coordinate new-club-building committee
Assist in compiling a prospect list
Assist during recruiting week
Participate in inter-clubs at pre-organizational meetings
While there are many benefits to being the sponsoring club, with benefits comes responsibility. Working with the new-club builder, a person trained to assist in this process, you’ll know what to do and when.
Start by forming a sponsoring club committee of members who strongly support the idea. As you are thinking about who might be asked, consider these roles and traits:
Chairman—a likeable task master
Marketing—well connected or willing to reach out to local media
Technology—familiar with databases and form letters. May also contribute with marketing person to use social media
Membership people—comfortable sharing the Kiwanis story in your community and asking people to join
Service/fundraiser—may even be your club’s committee chairman for service and fundraising.
Prospective members will benefit from some early interaction with committed Kiwanians who can educate and get them excited about their new club.

6. Responsibilities What is expected of your club?
Provide ongoing support
Plan the first service project
A strong start for a new club is essential to its long term success, and the sponsoring club helps provide that initial momentum through formal and informal mentoring during the first two years.
Guide a new club to immediately involve the new members into the mission of the organization: local community service. Because your club is experienced in planning service, invite the new members to participate in one of your projects, and in turn, help them organize their first project. Invest in this new club by sharing what steps you follow and how you adapt your efforts based on your specific community.

7. Support Materials: New-club-building kits: Quick-start guide
New-club-building kits:
Sent to the new club builder
Kiwanis International provides everything you need
Once your club commits to being the sponsoring club, know that you will be well supported in this effort. A team, including an experienced new-club builder, will walk with you every step of the way. There are also plenty of tools, especially the quick-start guide, outlining those steps.
In addition to the quick-start guide, you’ll find helpful guidance online at
One invaluable resource is the new-club-building kit, which will be sent and shared with you by the new-club builder. The kit includes marketing pieces the sponsoring club members will use in recruiting.

8. The plan New-club-building process
Seven step process
Led by the district new-club builder
Strongly supported by the sponsoring club
All online at:
The new-club-building process has seven steps and is led by a new-club builder who has been trained and appointed to the position by your district. He or she will be a great resource as the efforts are underway.
Your role is to support the new-club builder, especially in the areas of recruiting and understanding your community.

9. The plan Step 1: Get started Commit to being the sponsoring club.
Outline a budget for expected expenses.
Before taking that first step, know what’s involved and know that everyone’s willing. While your club will have plenty of support, it is your club commitment that makes all the difference. So discuss the idea as a club (and as a club board) and decide if your club is ready.
One of the many things to consider is that there are costs associated with being a sponsoring club, including things like printing and mailing letters, reimbursing expenses for recruiters and supporting the first service project. Can your budget support these costs?

10. The plan Step 1: Get started (cont’d)
Form your new club building team.
Lieutenant governor
New-club builder
Club counselor
District growth (or TAG) team
Area director
Sponsoring club committee
Building a new club is a team effort, and you’ll want to get as many heavy-hitters in your line-up as possible. Connect with your lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect to see if he or she is available to help.
The new-club builder and club counselor are appointed by the district and are usually members of the district growth team.
Other district growth team members may get involved, depending on where they live in relation to the new club site.
The area directors are regional staff members of Kiwanis International who have specific districts they support. Although they aren’t available to assist with local recruiting, these team members know from experience what works, what doesn’t and what resources you’ll need.
Sponsoring club committee: this is where your club gets involved. Here are some key positions to consider as you develop your committee:
Chairman—a likeable task master
Marketing—well connected or willing to reach out to local media
Technology—familiar with databases and form letters. May also contribute with marketing person to use social media
Membership people—comfortable sharing the Kiwanis story in your community and asking people to join
Service/fundraiser—may even be your club’s committee chairman for service and fundraising.

11. The plan Step 2: Evaluate opportunities Complete the site survey.
Contact prominent members of the community for input.
Secure 3-5 core members.
Identify needs within the community.
Gather information to help determine:
Type of club
Meeting location
Day and time of meetings
For clubs that have done a community analysis, the site survey is similar but focused on a new club. This step determines if there is enough interest, support and need for a new club. Information gathered during the site survey step will help guide next steps, such as recruiting efforts and choosing a service project.

12. The plan Step 3: Connect to the community
Determine the club type based on potential demographics.
Develop a prospect list.
Schedule key events.
Promote effort using local media.
Don’t assume that this club is going to be a reflection of your club. As you are talking to potential new members, consider the demographics. If most of your recruits are busy young people, would they like to form an internet club or a young professionals club? Or are most of the prospects retirees who would enjoy meeting as a Golden K club?
Starting the club with a group of likeminded people will more naturally lend itself to meaningful relationships.
Once the club type has been established, brainstorm a list of prospects for the recruiters to call on.
Plan your events, inviting those on the list. And promote the event inviting all interested people to come find out about the plans Kiwanis has for your community!

13. The plan Step 4: Invite members Recommended strategy:
Schedule at least one week for recruiting.
Develop the recruiting team.
Recommended strategy:
Six people per day, three successive days
There are many ways to recruit new members, but momentum is the key.

14. The plan Step 5: Guide the club to organization
Recruit a minimum of 25 paid members.
Conduct pre-organization meeting(s).
Build enthusiasm.
Inform club about club structure.
Create nominations committee.
While the new-club builder will be strongly involved in this part of the process, the sponsoring club may be asked to help with the pre-organization meeting(s). This is a great time to begin introducing the new club to the community.

15. The plan Step 5: Guide the club to organization (cont’d)
Conduct official organization meeting.
Report new club to Kiwanis International.
Submit required paperwork and fees.
Continue to invite people.
Point of contact: KIWANIS, ext. 203
Kiwanis International staff is here to help. Call extension 203 for any questions about filing paperwork and paying fees.
Remember, charter members may be added to the roster up until the organization meeting.

16. The plan Step 6: Educate members and train officers
Offer a new club orientation.
Train club officers, board of directors and committee chairmen.
New club members deserve a proper introduction to Kiwanis. Give them this opportunity by conducting a new club orientation. This presentation touches on key aspects of Kiwanis history, club business, service partners and programs, expectations and benefits of being a Kiwanian. A new club orientation is available at
Online education is available for the club officers, board of directors and the membership committee chairman.
The club counselor may also schedule a formal gathering to answer questions.
Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell

17. The plan Step 7: Select a club counselor Recruit on an ongoing basis.
Plan and hold a charter event.
Complete first service project.
Complete first fundraising activity.
The club counselor serves and guides the new club for the first two years. Some districts appoint a member of the district growth (TAG) team, but sometimes a member of the sponsoring club is asked to be the club counselor.
This is the step where the new members become Kiwanians. Help your new members plan a memorable charter event and set themselves up for success by implementing a service project and fundraising activity as soon as possible.
Kiwanis Club of Milford

18. The plan Step 7: Select a club counselor (cont’d) Host great meetings.
Send club members to other events.
Form active committees.
For some new clubs, finding programs for their meetings may be difficult (assuming they are having a program). Consider helping them with their programs by calling on some of your favorites from your club meetings.
By developing a reciprocal relationship from the very beginning, great things can happen in your community.
Kiwanis Club of Kiev, Ukraine

19. Benefits How will building a new club help your club?
Expand the organization.
Increase your club’s visibility.
Increase service performed in the area.
Sponsoring a new club in or near your community is a win-win.
A new club will expand the Kiwanis name in your community and extend the reach of Kiwanis service.
More clubs = more service in your community.
Kiwanis Club of Tysons Corner/McLean

20. Questions?