Get real-world inspiration and information about recruiting corporate members.
By Tony Knoderer
Could your club use a little flexibility when it comes to making membership appealing? Don’t forget about corporate memberships! Some Kiwanis clubs have been exploring that option — and it’s been a boost to their roster and the service they do in their communities.
We’re pleased to share a couple of recent success stories:
- A club’s reading program draws corporate members. See how a reading program of the Kiwanis Club of Dawn Busters in Metairie, Louisiana, U.S., helped attract the attention of area companies and organizations — and read a few tips for gaining corporate members from club member Mel Dussel.
- Corporate connections count in Corbin. Read about the ways the Kiwanis Club of Corbin, Kentucky, U.S., dramatically increased its roster, including the use of members’ local connections to recruit corporate members.
Once you have a little inspiration, start a discussion in your club. And share the basics of corporate membership:
- The company is represented at meetings and events by an employee of the company’s choosing.
- The company can choose to pay membership dues or ask the designated employee to do so.
- If the designated employee changes jobs, a new employee can be designated to take their place without being charged a new member fee.
- There is no limit to the number of memberships a company can have. (Each membership must have a specific person designated by the company.)
- A designated employee is welcome to invite other, non-designated employees — as well as friends, family and others — to join the club or attend a meeting.
Need a little more information? Don’t forget our recent overview separating fact from fiction about corporate and satellite memberships.
Use our resources
Kiwanis International offers an insert regarding corporate membership that fits our “Join Us” brochure — so people in your club can share information with representatives of area companies and organizations.
The brochure and insert are free. They’re available at the Kiwanis Family Store — along with other inserts that appeal to potential members’ specific interests.