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Gyro Interim, Tempe AR January 29, 2014

Chris Snyder, 2nd Vice PresidentAssistance fromTim Wright, Sr., 1st Lt. Governor, District 1

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Schedule 8:30 – 10:45 am

8:30 am Presentation

8:50 am Discussion groups - Problems

9:05 am Reports & discussion

9:20 am Break

9:35 am Discussion groups – Solutions

9:55 am Reports & discussion

10:20 am Summary presentation

10:35 am Each District officer group meets

+Gyro International

Unique among clubs

Only club in this market position

Market niche with great potential

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Yet, as we know, there are problems facing Gyro as a

viable organization.

+We are Aging

Average age

70.8Members

3149

Average Years in Gyro

18

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Our Core Member Target

Starts in Gyro in their mid 50’s.

Children are out of the house

We now have time to devote to other matters.

 

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Steady Membership Loss

Averaging 1%-2% net decline annually

Lost 131 members (– 4%) in 2012-2013

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Some Clubs are Adding Members

2012-2013

29 clubs are growing larger (32%)

17 clubs are stable (19%)

44 clubs are getting smaller (49%)

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Loss of Whole Clubs

Now 90 clubs (10/31/2013)

Lost 5 clubs this year!! (-5.2%)

Columbus, London, Kentville, Milwaukee, Osoyoos. Wadsworth left last year.

Added 3 clubs in recent years:

Caloosa, Central Coast, Coachella Valley

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Why are Clubs Leaving?

Getting old (80 years+)

Not attracting new younger members

Losing interest

Just plain cynicism

Members moving away

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Perceived Value

“We don’t need (no stinking) Gyro.”

“What does Gyro do for me?”

“The conventions (& events) are for a select few & irrelevant to us.”

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Club Variety & Location?

Physical distance between many clubs

Some clubs conduct community service

Involvement of spouses (Gyrettes)

Selective vs.“more open”membership

Bias against PR and recruiting

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Summary….Our Current Situation

A unique & positive market niche

We are growing older

Membership gradually declining

Clubs are folding

Perceived value of Gyro taking a hit

Club differences

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What realistic actions need to be taken?

That’s the purpose of this meeting?

+Do we agree improvement

must START at the club level?

GI cannot anoint it

GI can only assist the process

To date, whatever we’ve been doing, hasn’t

seemed to work as well as we’d prefer.

+Agree? Clubs improve

first Creating positive word-of-

mouth Creates satisfied and enthusiastic members & spouses

They promote the club to prospects AND internally to fellow members & spouses

Isn’t that our job? To help clubs? So how?

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Yes, You’ve heard this before

However, this morning let’s try to:

Identify and rank the problems

For each problem, list and rank action steps to address each problem

Have each District’s officers discuss an immediate action plan.

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Discussion Groups Formed

First, what are the areas for improvement?

Take 15 minutes to identify the problems

Each group reports – Need secretary

Later, we will list them and ask for action steps

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A Problem or Symptom?

Each group should ask whether they have identified a problem or a symptom (result) of a problem.

For example……Is membership decline a problem, OR the result of poor club performance attributes.

Why is membership declining? That is the problem.

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What to do?

DISUSSION GROUPS FORMED – PROBLEMS

Randomly selected by table. (You received a number) – Take 15 minutes to identify the problems and issues we face. RANK & PRIORITIZE. You will be asked to report back to the group.

DISCUSSION GROUPS – POSITIVE ACTION STEPS

For each of the ranked problems, agree on your best recommendations, rank and prioritize them. Report to the general group. RANK and RECOMMEND action steps.

DISTRICT OFFICER MEETING – Possible implementation

+BEFORE THIS MORNING, THIS IS WHAT WE THOUGHT….

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Major Problem 1 - Communication

Gyros outside of their own

club.

Gyro website & databases

Awareness of overall Gyro

administration

Frequency, quality of

relationship-building contacts

with clubs

+Must build personal

relationships with club officers & members

If they won’t come to us, we must go to them

More club visits, phone calls, letters/emails

Not only for installations, Districts could build a schedule of systematic contacts

+Major Problem 2 – Information

(For better decision-making)

Ask members what they want, need, and their understanding of GI services? (Benchmark member assessment)

Satisfaction & importance of various club attributes

Continue to expand databases to include more detailed and useable data and information

+Action Step 1

A Gyro Educational Initiative

A Club’s Perspective

This is also a MOTIVATIONAL strategy

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Educational Initiative 1A

Models/profiles of effective clubs

Provide many ideas on how to be better. (e.g. Retention, recruitment)

Training of club officers at District Conventions & Interims

Use new communication technology

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Educational Initiative1B

Best practices - Social events & parties

Best practices - Club administration

Coaching club officers on existing GI resources (e.g. Betterment Fund, website)

Lists of services available to clubs

+Action Step 2Help NEW members FEEL they belong?Seek them out and acknowledge

Retention efforts for the first few months?

Acknowledged in the Districts

Develop a model retention program

+Action Step 3

Improve Event Quality– Local ClubSame old, same old?

Variety, fun experiences

Spouses enthusiastic “buy in”

Create POSITIVE word-of-mouth “advertising”

+ Consider a Signature Event?

Painesville & Western Reserve’s joint Anniversary and Christmas Dinner

Kirtland Country Club

+Action Step 4 Improve Events– District, International Yes, Great parties, but also…..

Introduce club improvement components? (Educational initiative)

Rethink objectives

Why don’t non-officers & PDGs attend?

+Action Step 5

Spouse/Gyrette “Buy-in”

Gyrettes can be a force that drives participation and new members. “Are Sue & Tom coming? I really like her.”

Some successful clubs emphasize COUPLES events

Gyro becomes a “date night”

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Gyrette Power!!!

+Action Step 6

Defend Gyro!!!!

Create a polished digital publication

“What’s in it for me?” Gyro’s Club Services

Political “buy in” from club officers

Communicate the rationale for Gyro

+Action Step 7

Gather More Information

What do members value?

What seems to work? – Best Practices

Master lists of club characteristics e.g. dues, events, preferences, etc.

Can we “Borrow” ideas from other organizations that face similar issues?

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Hypothetical Example Topic Satisfaction

ImportanceScale - 5=highest rating, 1=lowest

Couples events 3.2 4.3

Value from D dues 1.9 3.0

Meetings are fun 3.34.7

I feel welcome 3.6 4.9

District Convention 1.6 1.2

+Action Step 8

Embrace Innovation

Don’t let treasured past practices blind us to what clubs NEED and WANT

If Gyro was just beginning, would we do all things this way?

+DISTRICTS MEET

& ORGANIZE FOR ACTION

Each District meet and discuss which recommendations to implement

Responsiblities, time frames

Help the Governor with a blueprint for ACTION in 2014/2015

+THANK YOU!

Please pick up handout of presentation

Results to be emailed and placed on the GI website

  Chris & Tim