District Reports: Past Governors

MEMBERSHIP

Membership, are we on the right track?
After decades of searching for the answer to the problem of declining membership we have come to realize that the answer might be right on our doorstep. . .

We are convinced that as Kinsmen and Kinettes, we have mastered the ability to recruit new members into Kin. We continually initiate new members into the Association, but we are faltering in our ability to keep them. Our rate of recruitment is being overcome by our lack of retention. For many of us, this is information is not new. We have heard over and over again the incessant challenge we face in preserving our membership. We certainly don’t suggest that we let down our vigilance in reaching out to new members, but the biggest detriment to our longevity is in the numbers we see slipping through the cracks of our Association. While there are as many excuses for leaving, as there are members who are leaving, we have got to stop the trend.

This is a something that can only be addressed at the Club level, Zone level, and District level because it is there that the barriers are being set up that are alienating our members and causing them to leave. Every District program set-up for recruitment for the last few years has met with success. Clubs are receptive to the incentives set out in these programs, so why not consider incentives for a retention program. If you have the ideas we will listen.

We are our own worst enemies. We tend to take our own expectations and perceptions and inflict them on other people. For instance, we tend to judge others by how much they give to Kin. Should it not be enough that they want to have the Kin name attached to their own.

Time in 2010 is an increasingly valued commodity. We are in this terrible rush to do everything and nothing, never taking the time to smell the roses, and there are so many roses. Roses such as the opportunities for fellowship, personal development, new experiences, training opportunities, and especially those warm fuzzies we get when we do something good for someone else. Yet it takes time to do all these. Too often, we are struggling and juggling to make ends meet, trying to find the time for all our family commitments, our employment obligations, squeeze in a bit of social life, and still try to do a little or a lot for our club and community.

As volunteers, we tend to get caught up in the rush of committees, meetings, positions, and fundraisers, forgetting that others around us are volunteers too! They have their own commitments, challenges, and their own life outside of Kin. We need to not judge a member by how much time they can give to Kin. Sometimes, we take our expectations of our coworkers and force them onto our members. We expect members to know how to run a project without having taught them, or much worse; we expect them to run that project in the same way that we would our selves. We must accept that not everyone does things the same way we do, and while it may not be the way we have always done it does not mean that it is the wrong way to do it. Remember leading doesn’t mean dictating, and it is more important to allow others try their ideas and give our support, otherwise there would be no personal growth.

In the end, the onus lies solely on us the members, as do the answers to all of our concerns that we continually try to deal with. Long boring meetings, name bashing, criticism, little or no social time, personality conflicts, club cliques, etc., all add up and take their toll on individual members. It is time for us to mend these types of wounds once and for all. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Take the time to step back from any situation you find yourself in and ask yourself if you would want to be on the receiving end. Would you want to be the one who is the butt of a joke, the recipient of harsh words at a meeting, or suffer under criticism that is meant to harm not help? Take that step back, and ask yourself can we make this a better organization. We can, We have, and We will continue to do so every day, so let’s eliminate this problem by working together.

BE GOOD TO ONE ANOTHER!

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Greetings Fellow Kin

Fall Leadership Conference has just occurred and here we are writing our holiday greeting. First off let us say congratulations to the Mount forest Kin for another successful FLC, and I'm sure everyone who attended had a great time! Thank-you to all of you for your kind
words, friendships and fellowships that we shared at FLC. Not only was it appreciated, but well received.

Congratulations to all of the award winners on a job well done. For all whom participated congratulations go out to you too, when you compete in awards you grow in Kin and personal development.

District Awards

Photography Award
Kinette Club of Collingwood, BARB McARTHUR, photographer
District One Kinsmen Rookie of the Year
JEFF NASH, Kinsmen Club of Hamilton
District One Kinette Rookie of the Year
BEA CROWLEY, Kinette Club of London
District One Kinsmen of the Year
DWAYNE LOUGHLEAN, Kinsmen Club of Cambridge (Preston)
District One Kinette of the Year
BARB McARTHUR, Kinette Club of Collingwood
As always, this time of year is very hectic with work, home, Kin and Christmas plans
and preparations. We hope that you take the time to enjoy this festive season with
your loved ones. May you find peace, joy and happiness this holiday season and good
fortune in 2010.
Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to all
Rob and Odette, Past Governors
Yours in Kin,
Rob and Odette

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THE WEBSITE IS CURRENT

Well, we are up and running.

As we sit here at our first council meeting learning about all the interesting and fun things coming up this year, we can't wait to have another fun year. We want to thank Governors Judy and Darrell for welcoming us and making us feel a part of their team.

Russ Jackman, the District One Webmaster, is busy teaching all of the council how to update their own web pages. So...you should have up to date information available on this website from all the council within the next two weeks. I know all the Deputy Governors are eager to keep you informed. By the way Russ says you shouldn't use rainbow colours and a multitude of fonts in your reports as it makes it difficult for the reader, but I was just having so much fun I couldn't resist.
Please remember this is the information tool for you and your clubs. Check the website regularly for news from the District and for news around your Zone.

Fall Leadership Conference is just around the corner on November 13, 14, & 15, 2009, in Guelph. We look forward to seeing everyone there. It promises to be an informative weekend as Governors Judy and Darrell have some interesting seminars lined up for you and a special treat for you sometime during the weekend. Yes, that means you will have to attend everything to find out the secret.

If you need any assistance this year and the Governors are busy we would be pleased to fill in or help out. Other than that, please keep us informed of your events as we had so much fun visiting all of you last year we'd love to come out and support your events this year.

Yours in Kin,
Rob and Odette

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National Convention 2009 - Niagara Falls, Ontario

The event of the Summer!

National Convention 2009 was an amazing event. There was something there for everyone. If you were interested in the area there was wine tours, chocolate factories, the Brock Monument, a golf tournament, a historic military reenactment, and of course all the fun associated with the falls. We were invited to tour the falls, enjoy the maid of the mist, journey behind the falls, even take a jet boat around the falls, and so much more. For those that had never been to Niagara Falls it was a real treat, and our fellow Kin from out west loved it. And of course there was all the fun we have at conventions too.

This year’s convention touched on subjects such as volunteer screening, going ‘green’, effective speaking skills, branding, fundraising, chartering, and more. We were fortunate to have many informative seminars, a well run business session, and an inspirational keynote speaker. Our newly elected National President is Sean Thompson. Sean is a third generation Kin and the grandson of one of the founding members. Our newly elected National Vice President is Lee Burry. This 27 year old gentleman, yes he is young with fresh new ideas and proves the point that with a little dedication you too can help lead this great organization, and he is from the Kinsmen club of Fredericton. We had many interesting presentations including a heartfelt presentation from our own Dave Sofa of Preston Kin and his work on the mural to remember our fallen Canadian soldiers. He also had a display where you were able to see what other fantastic art he has created. We also had in-depth discussions on the new strategic plan for Kin, Vision 20/20. Just to clarify this does not mean that it will be implemented by the year 2020, it is meant as a catchy phrase insinuating good vision.

Our Kin bears were there, Pride and Passion, and they will still be travelling. There has been no decision on what there final home will be. Kin sales was in attendance and offered up some really great deals for attendees, by Sunday pretty much everyone had on a Kin shirt of some kind. The Hal Rogers Endowment fund announced some new ways to make donations to the fund, and some incentives for clubs to participate. We also saw two new bursaries come out of the fund this year. National has also developed an insurance policy similar to the one offered at Spring Convention this year. It will be on an opt-in opt-out basis for clubs.

The awards evening was a memorable event with Outstanding Deputy Governor Awards being handed out to eight Deputy Governors; Zone A Deputy Governors Wendy Rolfe and Marty Makins, Zone B Deputy Governor Brenda Dineen, Zone C Deputy Governor Lisa Burechails, Zone D Deputy Governors Dan Strugar and Tracy Spalding, Zone F Deputy Governor Cheryl Bridges, and Zone K Deputy Governor Terri Iredale. I know this year’s team will do us proud and make that number even higher next year. We had a good year for donations and almost reached the one million dollar mark for CF donations. At the awards presentation during business they announced that they are revamping the awards package. Some awards are being considered for retiring and some to be combined into a new award. Please check with National for the complete breakdown and voice your opinions early. Nothing has been finalized and they are looking for feedback on the proposed changes. We were also fortunate to have Brian Summerhayes there with his completed video presentation, 8 minutes to Live, about his uncle’s struggle with CF. His uncle also joined us and gave heartfelt thanks for all that we do for Cystic Fibrosis research and urged us to not only continue to raise dollars but to contact our members of parliament on CF patients to encourage the government to fund much needed medical treatment for adult survivors.

For us the highlight was bringing our daughter, Kayla, along and having her being installed by National President Doug, as the first youth member in all of Canada. Doug Anthony the newest recipient of the Hal Rogers Fellow award, also presented at convention, and his team of Kin have come up with some great new membership initiatives and being a youth member is one of them. Youth membership will consist of persons age 16 to 19 years of age and they will have a reduced membership fee. Also new is the family membership package for households that have three or more members in Kin, a great rate of $400.00 total. College and university members will now only pay $20.00 while they are attending school. There is also a college support member, much like the associate member, but at a reduced cost which I believe is $100.00. The membership presentation was full of new ideas and enthusiasm, and new ways to become members of this great organization. Keep checking the Kin Canada website for official word on charter building, membership tools, and the memberships and exact pricing.

We want to thank everyone for allowing us to be your Governors last year and participate in National Convention; it was a truly rewarding experience. We would also like to thank Governors Judy and Darrell for allowing us to report on National convention this year instead of just giving a hum drum report about being available whenever you need us. Of course we are available too whenever you need us.

Yours in Kin,
Rob and Odette

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