Now More Than Ever
By Governor Tom Ganse

"Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

If one takes the time to read more critical and balanced trade publications, and looks past the mainstream media's sensationalism surrounding the current economic conditions, one could easily develop the opinion that we are experiencing a natural correction to the euphoric but unsustainable market conditions of the past decade or so. Some might even go so far as to say this correction is similar to the one this country experienced in the 1930s following what became known as "the Roaring Twenties;" a decade so named because of the devil-may-care disregard for economic fundamentals in favor of the get-mine-now lifestyle.

Whoops! Did I step on some toes with that comparison? The fact is, the Great Depression triggered many substantial financial reforms, as have the many minor recessions that occurred since then. Our economy is integrated into a broader global economy, and the conditions that led to the Great Depression have been thwarted. However, having said that, there is no doubt that the magnitude of this correction is the most significant we've seen in a long time, and many of our citizens are ill-prepared to deal with it. Consequently, children caught in the challenges are suffering disproportionate consequences.

The media blames the challenging economic conditions for just about every woe we face anymore. Imagine my surprise to hear a Kiwanian argue that Kiwanis is losing members because of it. Folks, we have members among our ranks that remember the Great Depression, and we have members among our ranks that understand the economics of then and now, and I'm willing to bet they will unanimously agree that conditions were far worse in the 1930s.

And yet Kiwanis membership grew throughout that decade. Why?

The answer is simple. Kiwanis is a service organization, and difficult times like today create a greater need for service. It's what we do; it's what gives our members purpose. Now more than ever, your community needs Kiwanis and more Kiwanians! Incidentally, our membership attrition here in the Capital District is in record low territory, both in terms of percentages and absolute numbers.

This should be no secret. Consider Kiwanis International's "Now More Than Ever" campaign, begun last Fall:

Now, more than ever, Kiwanis

In these troubled times, people are hurting. Many children and families who a few months ago felt like they were doing OK today hang on by threads, and those who were already at risk face even greater hardships, harder choices.

For more than 90 years, Kiwanis has been helping children and communities, and we believe that now is not the time to hunker down. It's not the time to retreat from responsibility and compassion. Now is the time to lead, to offer people an opportunity to help others.

We believe that now, more than ever, is the time for Kiwanis, and we invite and encourage people to join us, to be part of a global service organization where one person-you-can make the difference.

Kiwanis has numerous opportunities for people to get involved, and provides numerous benefits to members-friendship, fellowship, business networking-in addition to the service Kiwanis provides to children and communities.

We need your hands and your hearts to help those who cannot always help themselves. The more hands, the more children and communities we can help.

Please join Kiwanis as we work to change the world for the better, one child and one community at a time. For information about Kiwanis, call 1-800-KIWANIS, or find a club near you. Please do it today. The children cannot wait.

Don Canaday
Kiwanis International President

(Note: International President Don's plea is downloadable from the International website as a press release.)

As many of you may know, International President Don is a retired US Army General. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that another retired US Army General recently penned an article entitled "Let's Renew America Together." I invite you to read General Colin Powell's article in its entirety.

Finally, I share with you an article from the December 10, 2008 edition of the Kiwanis Insider:

Local club response to economic challenges
Throughout our history, Kiwanis has always found a way to care for our members during difficult times. Many of our Kiwanis clubs and members have been impacted by the global financial crisis. Job losses, foreclosures, bankruptcies and other financial challenges place additional pressure on our members in both their professional and personal lives. During these difficult times, sensitivity to the individual needs of members should be a priority for club leaders. Following are some ideas that might jump start some thinking on how to respond in times like these:

1. Thank and praise club members for the difference they are making in the lives of others. During a time like this, members need to be reminded of how powerful their service in Kiwanis is, and how critically important their support is to those that are less fortunate.

2. Schedule speakers and other meeting programming that gives members access to advice and ideas about personal finance, budgeting, career advice and cost-saving measures.

3. Provide individualized support for those members that are experiencing personal difficulties and encourage them to stay involved in Kiwanis.

4. Consider temporarily waiving the local dues of those members who are unemployed and explore other ways to reduce the financial burden of Kiwanis, i.e., reduce meetings to two times a month, meet in a venue that allows people bring their own food, etc.

5. Develop club satellite meeting opportunities for those that currently have to travel long distances to attend meetings.

6. Focus on fun and fellowship. While Kiwanis should always be a positive place where members can laugh and enjoy themselves, it is especially important during times like these. With bad news all around, Kiwanis should be a source of joy for our club members.

7. Offer formal and/or informal networking opportunities for those that might be experiencing a gap in their career.

8. Support people in the community who are struggling with the basics of food, shelter and clothing. In addition to providing a great service, this also provides members a measure of perspective that they really have much to be thankful for.

9. Relieve the pressure to donate or fundraiser on those members that are struggling financially.

10. Invite new members into your club and reject the notion that we should just hunker down and ride out the storm. New members bring fresh ideas and energy. Imagine the pride of your members when your club emerges from this recession larger and stronger than ever!

Now more than ever. Take a hard look at your projects and the dramatically changing needs of your community. Do you really need that park now? Or would food and clothing for pantries and shelters be more meaningful? Is a $1,000 scholarship for a single student important, or is it more important to buy $1,000 worth of books that will touch the lives of hundreds of children. I don't know. It's your community. Go find out.

And remember, Kiwanis grew during the Great Depression. It can, should, and must grow now to meet the increasing strain on the children of our communities. People in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia are looking for ways to lend a hand. Open the door and let them help us.

With a Kiwanis Servant's Heart
Tom Ganse
tganse@earthlink.net