Growing Democratic Koi Clubs that Abide By Bylaws

[koicluboftheair]

Rich,
Excellent points!

Quote: Originally Posted by Rich L If we don't listen to the folks that don't do any work, they will not feel a part of the organization and stop bothering to bring anything up, if they stay around. And we will not hear the many constructive ideas they would raise. Bylaws are the only way to record the membership's common directions on how the organizational business is to be conducted. The alternative is a haphazard process that can change monthly. If an officer or member can't follow the bylaws, the membership should be informed and the members should demand an explanation. Too often people want to bypass requirements that they think 'can't be done' when in actuality the job would have been accomplished if it were required. What I don't see is long term planning. What does your membership want their club to look like in 5 years. What are the goals established that must be accomplished to get there. And what is the plan to accomplish those goals. A club that is going somewhere will be much more exiting and a better draw than one that just has a meeting every month. The E-board should use that plan to draw up this years business plan. As it stands, clubs only do what they did last year and no one is working to develop the future leaders so often we have to scrounge for people to take office.

[Auntiesue]

Lots of excellant points taken here!! Personally I love input from any source. If a member shows up at some of the meetings and pays dues, then for me that member is in good standing and deserves to be heard. Not everyone can volunteer hours of their time. Some are just not "joiners" but they come to some meeting to get whatever they are looking for (whatever that might be). It's up to the E-board to entice and mentor members for future volunteer opportunities. Whether you take a member under your wing and gently ask once and a while for a helping hand or more than that. What I found in the water garden club is that most members didn't feel they had the expertise to take a committee postion or a board position. They didn't want the responsibility or exposure to failure. These are very powerful feelings that many have. As a past President, I have to respect that and try to understand. In every club there are those that pull more of the weight then the majority. I can't think of a club I've been involved with where this wasn't true. I don't expect it to be any different in our new Koi Club, but thankfully we have enough "core" members that want to see our club and our project succeed that we are willing to do what is necessary.

[Rich L]

Lots of competent people are cautious about taking on responsibility in fear of failure. A leader’s job is to help them to take a few light jobs to develop an ownership in the organization. I've attracted people by letting them know a club is just the place to develop leadership skills valuable to their careers. The experience is difficult to get in the business world.

When I assign a project to someone, I step out of it. In the end my goal is to have the volunteer excited about 'doing it themselves' and then helping someone elst to do the job. That person is on the way to accepting other responsibilities and eventually an executive position.

Members must be motivated to step up. Those that don’t show up are simply motivated to do something else. Our job is to provide a stronger motivation. It mist be in their self interest and that’s what we have to discover and implement. An opportunity to gain valuable experience is a motivator for some, social involvement is a big motivator for many and a chance to learn something about this hobby is a third. Again, our job is to find the motivator for that individual.

If they’re not motivated, you have more to learn. And that in itself can be an exciting path.

[Auntiesue]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rich L Lots of competent people are cautious about taking on responsibility in fear of failure. A leader’s job is to help them to take a few light jobs to develop an ownership in the organization. I've attracted people by letting them know a club is just the place to develop leadership skills valuable to their careers. The experience is difficult to get in the business world. When I assign a project to someone, I step out of it. In the end my goal is to have the volunteer excited about 'doing it themselves' and then helping someone elst to do the job. That person is on the way to accepting other responsibilities and eventually an executive position. Members must be motivated to step up. Those that don’t show up are simply motivated to do something else. Our job is to provide a stronger motivation. It mist be in their self interest and that’s what we have to discover and implement. An opportunity to gain valuable experience is a motivator for some, social involvement is a big motivator for many and a chance to learn something about this hobby is a third. Again, our job is to find the motivator for that individual. If they’re not motivated, you have more to learn. And that in itself can be an exciting path.

For me this is a "lightbulb moment"!! Thank for the new view point!! I'll have to try this!! I never thought of it this way. This is a great thread!! I learned something very valuable here!!

[koicluboftheair]

Always a joy reading what you write sir. Informative, enlightening, and obviously so true. Thanks for sharing.

Quote: Originally Posted by Rich L Lots of competent people are cautious about taking on responsibility in fear of failure. A leader’s job is to help them to take a few light jobs to develop an ownership in the organization. I've attracted people by letting them know a club is just the place to develop leadership skills valuable to their careers. The experience is difficult to get in the business world. When I assign a project to someone, I step out of it. In the end my goal is to have the volunteer excited about 'doing it themselves' and then helping someone elst to do the job. That person is on the way to accepting other responsibilities and eventually an executive position. Members must be motivated to step up. Those that don’t show up are simply motivated to do something else. Our job is to provide a stronger motivation. It mist be in their self interest and that’s what we have to discover and implement. An opportunity to gain valuable experience is a motivator for some, social involvement is a big motivator for many and a chance to learn something about this hobby is a third. Again, our job is to find the motivator for that individual. If they’re not motivated, you have more to learn. And that in itself can be an exciting path.