Finding the Right Fit An Optimists Guide to

1. Membership Recruitment and RetentionSteve Skodak – Executive Director Optimist International Foundation Finding the Right Fit An Optimists Guide to

2. Our Goals for Today • Know the value of Optimism • Know your prospective member • Tell your story • Understand meaningful engagement • Use the “Guest” technique • Define your Clubs “Touches” • Lather. Rinse. Repeat. • Stay awake for the next hour

3. What is Optimism? op·ti·mism noun \ˈäp-tə-ˌmi-zəm\ Definition of OPTIMISM 1 : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world 2 : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome — op·ti·mistnoun — op·ti·mis·ticadjective — op·ti·mis·ti·cal·lyadverb

4. Impatient Optimists Optimist International if the only civic organization with a philosophy for our name. The World needs, wants and embraces Optimism…but they are impatient. Footer Text

5. Bert and John Jacobs – Life is Good Founded in 1989 “…his (Jake) simple message of optimism was embraced like nothing the brothers had ever seen.” Footer Text

6. Know your Prospective Member “Research has shown that a generation can be characterized by a certain set of attitudes and beliefs…even if not all in the group share the majority’s view.” W. Stanton Smith Next Generation Initiatives Footer Text

7. Silent Generation 1925-1945 Generational Events: • Great Depression • WWII • New Deal • Korean War • Rise of Corporation • Space Age Footer Text

8. Silent Generation 1925 – 1945 Characteristics: • Traditional • Conforming • Used to “doing without” • Team-oriented • Seniority-based Interests: • Formal public recognition • Recognition of the contribution and successes of the team • Honoring history and tradition • Recognition for experience Footer Text

9. Baby Boomers 1946 – 1964 Generational Events: • Civil Rights • Vietnam War • Sexual Revolution • Cold War • Space Travel • Divorce • American Dream was a Promise Footer Text

10. Baby Boomers 1946 – 1964 Characteristics: • Individualistic • “Me”–focused • Workaholic tendencies • Seeking work/family balance • Optimistic Interests: • Live for new experiences • Adventurous • Like to be pampered • Free time • Want to hear that their ideas matter • Titles and praise Footer Text

11. Generation X 1965 – 1980 Generational Events: • Watergate • Energy Crisis • Dual Income • Space Shuttle • Latchkey Kids • Mom Works • End of Cold War • Y2K Footer Text

12. Generation X 1965 – 1980 Characteristics: • Independent/Self-directed • Unimpressed with authority • Pessimistic • Work to live Interests: • Casual environment • Flexibility • Lone Ranger volunteer • Tech-savvy • Enjoy working with friends • Expect work to be purposeful Footer Text

13. Millennials 1981 – 2000 Generational Events: • Digital Media • Child-Focused World • School Shootings • AIDS • 9/11 Attacks • Schedules Footer Text

14. Millennials 1981 – 2000 Characteristics: • Not interested in “paying their dues” • Prefer to work from home • Need to be excited about what they do every day • Coddled kids Interests: • Informal, fun environment • Immediate feedback • Experiential incentives, geared to what they like to do • Believe they have a fresh view you need Footer Text

15. Why some call Millennials Gen Y Footer Text

16. Generation M 2001 – 2010 Generational Events: • Multitasking • Texting • WWW • Social Networking • Smartphones • Economic Crash • Globalization Footer Text

17. Generation M 2001 – 2010 Characteristics: • Technology is embedded in their environment • No life before www • Media rules their life • Digital natives • Born after cold war Interests: • Media • Friends • To be determined Footer Text

18. U.S. Rates Footer Text

19. Canadian Rates Footer Text

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21. Your Story Telling your story is the most power tool you have. “Living a life of Optimism has vastly improved my life ….I support the Foundation through endowment of the scholarship programs and have seen first hand…” “I was invited by a colleague of mine to an event that provides school children on the lunch program with a backpack of food for the weekend and I was amazed to see…” • “Twenty two years ago I got invited to attend a lunch and hear the mayor of our city speak on developments and then attended an internet safety program….” Footer Text

22. Your Elevator Speech 30-60 seconds Answer the question: What is an Optimist? What got you involved with the Optimist Club? What do you do as an Optimist? Optimist, is that something with eyes? Footer Text

23. The Club Guest Come looking for “something” • Do you know what it is? • Can you articulate what makes Optimism special? • You have minutes to convince them they made the right choice by coming to your Club meeting or event • Define your “touch” system • Sales 101 Footer Text

24. Member Touches Are encounters with your Club positive? What do you do for guests? Are your members missed when: • They are sick? • Are out of town on business? • Miss an event? • Drop their membership? Establish a plan: • Call – postcard – personal visits • Create meaningful involvement through listening and asking • Personalize the approach Footer Text

25. Invite. Involve. Thank. Footer Text

26. Call to action! • Know your audience and keep it local • Share how “Promise yourself…” has made your life better • Prepare your elevator speech • Praise and encourage Club members • Live the Optimist Creed • Questions? Footer Text

27. “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Footer Text