Stan Soderstrom receiving praise and official honors

Stan Soderstrom receiving praise and official honors

Jan 31, 2024 | General interest, Leadership, News | 0 comments

Heading into retirement, Kiwanis International’s executive director is being recognized for his work and service. 

By Tony Knoderer 

Kiwanis International Executive Director Stan Soderstrom has received multiple state and local honors in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. — home of the Kiwanis International Office — as he approaches his January 31 retirement from the organization.  

During a dinner in his honor last week, Soderstrom’s current and former colleagues on the Kiwanis staff informed him that he had been awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash — the highest honor for Indiana citizens. 

In addition, January 31 has been proclaimed “Stan Soderstrom Day” in Indianapolis by the city’s mayor, Joe Hogsett. In its own recognition of Soderstrom’s work and service, the Indianapolis City-County Council praised Soderstrom for “lifelong service to others and empowering youth worldwide.” 

Throughout the day on January 31, Kiwanis leaders and staff members have also been sharing their professional and personal appreciation of Soderstrom, who has been Kiwanis International’s executive director since 2010 — after joining Kiwanis International’s staff in 1997. 

“Stan’s dedication to serving the children of the world has been an inspiration for more than two decades,” says 2023-24 Kiwanis International President Katrina Baranko. “While he’s retiring from his role as executive director, Stan will always be an important member of the Kiwanis family. I speak for all Kiwanis members and staff when I wish him a happy retirement.” 

5 steps to growth through Two For Two

5 steps to growth through Two For Two

Jan 31, 2024 | Club building, General interest | 0 comments

Kiwanis clubs are finding members through our membership program. Here’s a quick way to get your club started. 

By Tony Knoderer 

Have you and your fellow club members heard of Two For Two but don’t know how to begin? Try these five steps: 

  1. Decide to increase your club’s impact. It starts with commitment. After all, membership growth is not a one-time campaign or event. It’s a continuous club operation. Inspire your club to make that commitment — to help more kids in the community.  
  1. Download the Two For Two guide. The guide is filled with pages of information and ideas: who to approach, how to approach them, ways to identify prospects and more. Cards help you follow through on contacts — and they also offer prospect suggestions. Use the guide’s back cover to track your club’s progress.  
  1. Spend a club meeting working the plan. Identify two club members to reach out to two prospects for each of the next several months. Members who work in pairs can support each other and reach more people more rapidly. Refer to the Two For Two guide for help identifying people and personalities your club may be missing.  
  1. Reach out. When recruiting, make an appointment to talk to potential members — rather than “cold calling” or simply showing up at their location. Ask for a date and time.  
  1. Meet with a prospect. While discussing what Kiwanis is about, focus on impact. Potential members need to know what you do, how you do it, why the community needs them and where they can immediately fit. Then invite them to join your club! And remember the key message: Kiwanis is a global organization of members, clubs and partners who are dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. 

Learn more about Two For Two and find helpful materials — including the program guide — at kiwanis.org/twofortwo. 

A few tips for your fundraiser

A few tips for your fundraiser

Jan 31, 2024 | Fundraising | 0 comments

Starting a new event? Refreshing a current one? Here’s some advice for making it work.

By Tony Knoderer 

Kiwanis clubs often find that it takes money to serve kids as effectively as possible. A fundraiser can help. Whether you’re launching a new one or updating the one you have, these fundamentals can help make it a success: 

  • Have fun! Ultimately, Kiwanis is about kids — so keep your event playful. And if the members themselves don’t embrace every aspect of the event, from planning to cleanup, it might not be the right one.  
  • Make it sustainable. As a club, answer these questions: Do we have the time and ability to make this event successful? Does it have growth potential? Are we making the best use of our resources and relationships? 
  • Promote your cause and your club. Your event may be the public’s first opportunity to learn about the cause that the proceeds benefit. Same for your club and Kiwanis. Make sure every attendee understands what they’re supporting — and that your club is helping them support it.  
  • Highlight your community’s culture. Build on what makes your community special. Is your city proud of its brewery scene? Consider a beer-tasting event. Is high school football a big deal? Incorporate the team or a football theme. These five Kiwanis fundraisers have become community staples.    
  • Follow up. People who attend your fundraiser may be interested in becoming members or partnering with your club. Don’t waste the opportunity by waiting for them to get in touch. Reach out! 

Looking for more ideas? Check out this step-by-step guide to creating a silent auction.