Tell your club’s story on social media

Tell your club’s story on social media

For most platforms, you need three simple elements. 

By Tony Knoderer

Pretend you know nothing about Kiwanis or your club. Now look at the three most recent posts on your club’s social media account. Ask yourself:  

  • Is it clear that we’re a group of volunteers?  
  • Is it clear that we help kids?  
  • Is our community impact easy to see? 

You can say all these things, of course, but it’s important to show it. (Oh, and you have about three seconds — the average time someone looks at a social media post before deciding whether to interact or scroll past.) 

So, how can you convey what you do and the impact you make in a few seconds? 

Include these elements
You don’t need fancy software or a degree in design to make a good social media post. For most platforms, all you need is: 

  • A visual element. Photos and illustrations draw people in. When you talk about a service project, for example, include photos — particularly active shots of the service being performed, not just members lined up for the camera. 
  • A clear, conversational tone. Give people the feeling that a real person is “talking” to them. 
  • A call to action. What do you want people to do after seeing your post? 

These elements help people focus on the value of your club — to kids in your community and to club members — and the fact that you want others to be a part of it.  

If the topic of a post is especially important to a particular member, you might even ask them to write it! Here’s an example: 

As a mom of two kids who graduated from the Pleasant Hills School District, I know how dedicated our teachers are, sometimes even paying for extra classroom supplies out of their own pockets. 👩🏫 My Kiwanis club and I are ready to help them — and you’re welcome to assist! 

Join me at Southview Elementary School next Tuesday, July 8, as we fill backpacks full of school supplies for students to lessen the burden on our teachers. Let me know if you’d like to sign up! ❤️ 

Remember: People join people. Make sure that anyone who sees your post understands that Kiwanis volunteers are folks like them. 

Other resources
From social media to websites and more, Kiwanis International has tools for your club’s needs. Go to our branding and marketing webpage for resources such as:  

  • Kiwanis logos  
  • Social media images  
  • Our “Tips and Tools” booklet  
  • Free club websites  
  • Custom club logos  

And when your club is celebrating an anniversary, make it an event that gets the community’s attention. Go to our dedicated webpage for: 

  • Celebration ideas 
  • Custom anniversary logos 
  • Tips to get media coverage 
Football-themed competition a touchdown for Oregon club

Football-themed competition a touchdown for Oregon club

Learn how the Kiwanis Club of Grants Pass is gamifying recruitment.

By Erin Chandler

Kiwanians all around the United States may be gearing up for American pro football’s big game, but for the Kiwanis Club of Grants Pass, Oregon, U.S., kickoff happened in October — and will continue for the entire Kiwanis year. In lieu of a trophy, the winning team will get lunch courtesy of the losing team’s captain. And with a combination of luck, teamwork and competitive spirit, the club will end up with 12 new members. 

When the current membership chair, Bill Rossknecht, noticed the club was just 12 members short of 50, he decided to revive the “Membership Superbowl,” a fun recruitment strategy that had proved successful in 2013. In August, Rossknecht and immediate past membership chair Lonnie Johnson drafted club members into their two teams — one called “For the Kids,” and the other “Heart for Service.” Over the course of the year, a team will get three points each time a “player” brings a prospective club member to a meeting, seven points when they recruit a new club member, and 10 points if they get a previous member to rejoin the club.  

Four months into the 2025-26 competition, “Heart for Service” is in the lead — but more importantly, the Kiwanis Club of Grants Pass already has two new members.  

The competition “has increased awareness within the Grants Pass Kiwanis Club to share Kiwanis with friends and acquaintances,” Rossknecht says. 

The team captains make sure to prominently display the scoreboard at meetings and update it regularly to keep the competition at the top of everyone’s minds. As a result, club members have gotten invested in their teams, making the effort to invite more guests.  

Rossknecht believes the process has been successful, “in large part because of the fun, competitive atmosphere we’ve created.” He encourages any club struggling with membership to tackle the challenge with a similar game.  

No matter who ends up getting a free lunch, the whole club wins. 

For more creative ideas on how to build and strengthen your club’s membership, visit the club toolbox on our website. 

Trainers build meaningful connections

Trainers build meaningful connections

This workbook/slide deck combination transforms leadership education into an engaging, interactive experience.

By Britney Warner 

The impact of any educational presentation — from a formal training session to a brief workshop —relies on how effectively information is conveyed. The “Building Meaningful Connections” workbook, paired with its instructional slide deck, is designed to transform leadership education into an engaging, interactive experience. Created for district Leadership Development Coordinators and Certified Instructors, this resource offers practical tools and structured activities that foster collaboration, creativity and deeper learning during training sessions.  

The workbook serves as an all-in-one guide, featuring: 

  • Icebreakers and connection activities: Kick off sessions with exercises like “Sweet Introductions” and “Anchor Your Purpose” to build rapport and set clear goals. 
  • Teamwork challenges: Activities such as “The Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge” and “Build a Model Club” strengthen problem-solving and communication skills. 
  • Deep discussions: Guided prompts like “Wow, Now, How” and “Ripple Effect” encourage strategic thinking and reflection on leadership impact. 
  • Service projects: Hands-on activities, including “Welcome Cards for New Students” and “Trauma Dolls,” connect leadership principles to real-world service. 
  • Wrap-up tools: Reflection exercises like “Letter to Future Self” and “Leadership Commitment Wall” help participants synthesize learning and commit to action. 

The accompanying slide deck provides visual support for instructions, discussion prompts and timing tips, ensuring smooth facilitation and consistent delivery across sessions. 

Key benefits for facilitators: 

  • Promotes active learning: Interactive exercises encourage participation and real-world application. 
  • Supports instructor confidence: Clear steps, adaptable resources and visual aids make facilitation seamless. 
  • Builds leadership culture: Activities emphasize collaboration, creativity and service.

Click here to view and download the slide deck.