ClubGroup Building Forming Solid Ground

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Club/Group Building Forming Solid Ground!

• Zonta International
• Inter-District Membership Seminar of the
  Americas
• Denver, Colorado
• Saturday, June 25, 2005
• Pete Bober
• Past President, Corvallis Zonta Club

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Overview

• Corvallis Club
• Context
• Involvement and Commitment
• Keys to Building Involvement and Commitment
• Small Group Brainstorming
• Questions and Answers

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Corvallis Community

• 50,000 People
• University Town/Highly Educated
• Regional Health Center
• Technology/Information Based

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Corvallis Club Profile

• Club Members 56
• Club Formed in 1940
• Mix of Ages/professions/retirees
• Second Largest Service Club in Corvallis

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Corvallis Club Profile Cont.

• Oldest Member joined in 1954
• Longest Term Active Member in 1959
• Current Second Vice-President - in 2004
• Mavericks - We Like to Have Fun!

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Corvallis Club Activities

• Auction Is Major Fundraiser
• Scholarships for Local Community College and
  University Students
• Grants to Non-profit Organizations Related to
  Zonta Mission
• Zonta Rose Day

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Corvallis Club Activities Cont.

• Miscellaneous Service and Advocacy Projects
• Started Five Clubs in Five Years
• 2 Z Clubs, 1 Golden Z Club
• Uzhgorod, Ukraine
• Salem, Oregon
• Sponsored an Eastern European Friendship
  Fundraising Tour

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The Environment

• Service Club Enrollment has continually declined
  since the late 1950s
• Between 1985 and 1994 active involvement in
  community organizations in this country fell by
  45 percent

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The Environment

• Tremendous Competition for Professional, Family
  and Leisure Time
• Fewer Club Members Mean Less are Doing More which
  leads to burnout!

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Changing Generations

• The 78.2 Million Americans Born Between 1966 and
  1976 Generation Xers are the Future of Zonta

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Who are the Generation Xers!

• Generation Xers are media and technology-savvy,
  and, at the same time, Generation Xers are
  nostalgic for yesteryear. This generation is
  motivated to learn, work at a fast pace, and hold
  on to traditions. Understanding Generation X
  - Elizabeth Foley and Adrienne Lefevre

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Involvement Commitment

• Active Involvement in Zonta leads to Commitment
• Involvement and Commitment Impacts Retention
• Solid Retention Leads to Stability and Even
  Growth
• Early and Intimate Involvement is Critical

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Keys To Building Involvement and Commitment

• Reputation/Image
• Orientation
• Communication
• Motivation
• Organization
• Recognition/Celebration

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Key 1 Reputation Image

• Good Reputation Good Recruitment
• Requires an Active and Ongoing Public Relations
  Effort

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What Is the Image of Your Club?

• Vibrant
• Connected
• Making a Difference
• Proactive
• Relevant
• Fulfilling

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Or Is It This?

• Traditional
• Old Guard
• Staid
• Elitist
• Boring
• Out of Touch

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Key 2 Orientation Introduction to the World
of Zonta

• For Both Prospective and New Members
• Clearly State Expectations and Requirements

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Ongoing Support for New Members

• Sponsor/mentors Play a Key Role in Supporting
  New Members
• An Organized Ongoing Orientation Is Key

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Le Nouveaux-the New Ones!

• All New Members in It for a Year
• Opportunity to Learn About Zonta in a Small Group
  Setting
• One or Two Long-standing Club Leaders Facilitate
  the Group
• Typically Meets Once a Month in a Casual Setting
• Evening Meetings or Lunches

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Le Nouveaux Activities

• Presentations
• Place to Ask Questions
• Bond With Other New Members
• Support Group for New Members
• Meet Other Members in a More Casual Setting

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Key 3 Motivation Why People Stay in Zonta

• Motivation for Club Participation Is Varied!
• Womens Issues
• International Issues
• Service
• Networking
• Fellowship
• Connected With Community
• Other

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Important to Provide a Variety of Activities to
Meet the Varied Needs

• Service of Time
• Service of Money
• Fellowship
• Networking
• Advocacy
• Program

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How Do You Support and Manage a Varied Program
That Contains All of These Elements?
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Key 4 Organization

• A strong and well connected committee
  structure that puts people of like minds and
  interests together to accomplish activities and
  at the same time operates the club in an
  efficient and timely fashion!

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Committee Work Is a Great Place to Foster
Commitment!

• Small Group
• Opportunity to Socialize and Network
• Accomplishments Making a Difference
• Recognition

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Zonta Club of Corvallis
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Key 5 Communication

• To the Membership About Opportunities for
  Participation, Successes and Club Activities
• Newsletters
• E-mails
• Meeting Announcement
• Sponsors
• Committee Chairs

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Key 5 Communication

• To the Membership About Larger Mission Related
  Issues and What Zonta International Is Doing to
  Make a Difference!
• Programs
• Newsletters
• Periodic Group E-mails
• Area and District Meetings

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Key 5 Communication

• From the Membership About Concerns, Directions,
  Interests Etc.
• Surveys
• Focus Groups
• Retreat
• Visiting Committee Meetings
• Other

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Key 5 Communication

• To and With the External Community
• About Zonta and Individual Club Members
• About What is Happening in the Community and How
  Zonta Can Help!

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Key 6 Recognition and Celebration

• Making Sure the Good Work of the Club Gets
  Acknowledged!
• Making Sure the Good Work of Individuals Gets
  Acknowledged!
• Making Sure Club Members Know They Are Supported

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Key 6 Recognition and Celebration

• Internally
• Newsletters
• Meetings
• Special Awards
• Birthdays
• Successes
• Challenges

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Key 6 Recognition and Celebration

• Externally
• Club
• Activities
• Officers
• Events
• Training
• Awards

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Key 6 Recognition and Celebration

• Externally
• Individuals
• Officers
• Club Awards
• Events
• Nominate Special Community Awards
• Members Professional Successes

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Audience Participation

• Six Groups and Brainstorm Strategies
• Reputation/Image
• Orientation
• Communication
• Motivation
• Organization
• Recognition/Celebration

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Review

• Corvallis Club
• Context
• Involvement and Commitment
• Keys to Building Involvement and Commitment
• Small Group Brainstorming
• Questions and Answers

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For More InformationPete BoberZonta Club of
Corvallis Corvallis, Oregonboberp_at_peak.org