Club Coffers or Club Coffin?

By Brenda Mahoney
National Director of Education
  

Where would you invest—the growth of your members or the death of your club?

A quick survey across the country showed that the successful clubs (not necessarily the large ones) are investing in their members while investing in their charities.  Where’s the money coming from for this investment?  These clubs are holding back 10 - 15% (as sanctioned by the Societies Act and Revenue Canada) from charitable events and/or hosting an event that entirely supports club coffers.

A closer look at clubs which have folded and/or are on the brink of folding show that there is little or no investment in the members.  Many would argue that we are a service club and should be raising money for charity and not ourselves.  As much as this is a good argument, it can also be argued that investing in your best assets—your members—will keep them motivated and educated so that they can continue with and grow their efforts in support of the charities.  It is honourable to want to give ALL your funds to charity but how does this keep your club viable?  How does giving away all your money pay the bills?

It has been said (more than once) that we’re volunteers and therefore shouldn’t be paid for what we do.  Exactly, we’re not supposed to be paid for our work but that’s not to say we can’t be rewarded in a way that benefits both the individual and the charities.

Think of the benefits of paying for or at the very least subsidizing the following:

Awards Night
Social Events
Attendance at Convention

Most people want to feel appreciated for their efforts—Awards Night.

Most want to feel that they belong and have a bond with the people they associate with—Social Events.

Everyone needs to be rejuvenated, motivated and educated in order to do a good job—Attendance at Convention.

Think about it.  By taking care of ourselves first, we can take care of others, ie. the charities.

So, you decide—club coffers or club coffin.

Yours for Progress,
Brenda Mahoney