Submitted by 2025-2026 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor Paul Shrode, Member of the Appleton Fox Cities Kiwanis Club
I want to begin the year by thanking all of the members and officers who have worked so hard to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
I want to begin the year by thanking all of the members and officers who have worked so hard to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
You have all made a difference in the lives of countless children, families and so many others around Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. My wife, Stacy, and I are especially grateful for the hospitality shown to us as we have begun to visit clubs throughout the district. We enjoy attending meetings and special programs, participating in service projects and fundraisers, and serving alongside fellow Kiwanians.
The spirit of Kiwanis is alive and well and the dedication, ingenuity, creativity and energy we have witnessed confirm that our members possess servant hearts. Thank you for what you do and for efforts to share your talents, time and resources with those in need.
I must also thank past governor Kathy Durner and her team of district and division volunteers who have worked tirelessly this past year to build working relationships between and among our members. They have laid the groundwork for the success we shall surely find and share in the months ahead. I am so very thankful for their dedication and commitment.
I also want to thank our executive director Justin Hahn for his hard work. He does so much for us and dedicates his time and talent to our work, often well beyond the requirements of the job or the time for which he is compensated. I must also thank our International Trustee Dennis Baugh for his wise counsel, and the staff from KI who work so closely with us. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated and experienced people supporting us.
As I have stepped into the role of serving as your governor, I have become increasingly aware of the challenges being faced by some of our clubs. Since 2014, we have lost 55 clubs and 3 more have indicated that they will close this year already. In most cases, their membership fell to a level where they could not sustain the good work they wanted to accomplish in their communities. Our district membership ended the 2024- 2025 year with 2,456 members representing a net loss of 178 members. It is natural to lose members due to job changes, family or time constraints, illness and even death. We must therefore make membership recruiting a priority; there are many tools and resources available to us to help. Thirty of our clubs are at or below charter strength of 15 members.
Many small clubs do amazing work in and for the communities they serve, but others may struggle. New members mean new enthusiasm, more help for the work we undertake, new ideas and creativity, and the growth of our Kiwanis family. New member recruiting is not enough, however. We must make sure we appreciate our long-standing members in order to nurture and retain them, and as we recruit new members, we need to orient and prepare them for full engagement in our Kiwanis clubs.
Simple things like reaching out to members you haven’t seen in a while, offering education about Kiwanis to members and training officers for the work they do, re-energizing long-time members, celebrating accomplishments and club successes, and being clear about the expectations of membership all make a critical difference in member retention. The bottom line is that we need to create an environment where members feel, experience and help build a sense of belonging.
Sometimes we become complacent, and forget what we have accomplished in Kiwanis. As I have attended club functions and meetings, I find myself wearing Kiwanis apparel and my pin most days. I am amazed at the number of times someone will ask what Kiwanis is. My elevator speech is getting a lot of practice, and as people realize what that big K means at the city limits, or recognize that the Kiwanis name attached to a park or community facility or scholarship, or that Key Club is a part of our organization, it begins to sink in. We are members of a preeminent international service organization and are part of a venerable tradition of service and impact both locally and globally, as relevant today as it ever was. We must share our story, spread the news of what we accomplish in so many cities, towns, schools, and in the lives of people in need. How could anyone who shares our commitment to building a better community and making a real difference, who understands we are and what we do — and that we have great fun doing it — resist joining us?
As we move into the holiday season, a time of hope, promise, giving and sharing, let us join in providing service side by side with friends and neighbors filled with that sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from selfless service, and let us invite others in our social circles, family members and good friends to join us in our work. On my holiday wish list is a simple plea: if your club needs some help recruiting new members, wants some support as you undertake positive change, or is struggling with something in Kiwanis, let us know.
If you are considering whether you can continue as a club, give us a chance to help you rebound and succeed. And if you are doing some great things and want to celebrate with fellow Kiwanians, let us know that too. Families support us, share joy and sorrow with us, and stand by our side as we tackle the challenges and celebrate the successes of life. Our Kiwanis family is here with and for us, just waiting to see if we need a little support. I look forward to being a part of your success story and celebrating with you.
2025-2026 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor Paul Shrode can be reached at 920-809-2872 or psshrode@aol.com.
The spirit of Kiwanis is alive and well and the dedication, ingenuity, creativity and energy we have witnessed confirm that our members possess servant hearts. Thank you for what you do and for efforts to share your talents, time and resources with those in need.
I must also thank past governor Kathy Durner and her team of district and division volunteers who have worked tirelessly this past year to build working relationships between and among our members. They have laid the groundwork for the success we shall surely find and share in the months ahead. I am so very thankful for their dedication and commitment.
I also want to thank our executive director Justin Hahn for his hard work. He does so much for us and dedicates his time and talent to our work, often well beyond the requirements of the job or the time for which he is compensated. I must also thank our International Trustee Dennis Baugh for his wise counsel, and the staff from KI who work so closely with us. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated and experienced people supporting us.
As I have stepped into the role of serving as your governor, I have become increasingly aware of the challenges being faced by some of our clubs. Since 2014, we have lost 55 clubs and 3 more have indicated that they will close this year already. In most cases, their membership fell to a level where they could not sustain the good work they wanted to accomplish in their communities. Our district membership ended the 2024- 2025 year with 2,456 members representing a net loss of 178 members. It is natural to lose members due to job changes, family or time constraints, illness and even death. We must therefore make membership recruiting a priority; there are many tools and resources available to us to help. Thirty of our clubs are at or below charter strength of 15 members.
Many small clubs do amazing work in and for the communities they serve, but others may struggle. New members mean new enthusiasm, more help for the work we undertake, new ideas and creativity, and the growth of our Kiwanis family. New member recruiting is not enough, however. We must make sure we appreciate our long-standing members in order to nurture and retain them, and as we recruit new members, we need to orient and prepare them for full engagement in our Kiwanis clubs.
Simple things like reaching out to members you haven’t seen in a while, offering education about Kiwanis to members and training officers for the work they do, re-energizing long-time members, celebrating accomplishments and club successes, and being clear about the expectations of membership all make a critical difference in member retention. The bottom line is that we need to create an environment where members feel, experience and help build a sense of belonging.
Sometimes we become complacent, and forget what we have accomplished in Kiwanis. As I have attended club functions and meetings, I find myself wearing Kiwanis apparel and my pin most days. I am amazed at the number of times someone will ask what Kiwanis is. My elevator speech is getting a lot of practice, and as people realize what that big K means at the city limits, or recognize that the Kiwanis name attached to a park or community facility or scholarship, or that Key Club is a part of our organization, it begins to sink in. We are members of a preeminent international service organization and are part of a venerable tradition of service and impact both locally and globally, as relevant today as it ever was. We must share our story, spread the news of what we accomplish in so many cities, towns, schools, and in the lives of people in need. How could anyone who shares our commitment to building a better community and making a real difference, who understands we are and what we do — and that we have great fun doing it — resist joining us?
As we move into the holiday season, a time of hope, promise, giving and sharing, let us join in providing service side by side with friends and neighbors filled with that sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from selfless service, and let us invite others in our social circles, family members and good friends to join us in our work. On my holiday wish list is a simple plea: if your club needs some help recruiting new members, wants some support as you undertake positive change, or is struggling with something in Kiwanis, let us know.
If you are considering whether you can continue as a club, give us a chance to help you rebound and succeed. And if you are doing some great things and want to celebrate with fellow Kiwanians, let us know that too. Families support us, share joy and sorrow with us, and stand by our side as we tackle the challenges and celebrate the successes of life. Our Kiwanis family is here with and for us, just waiting to see if we need a little support. I look forward to being a part of your success story and celebrating with you.
2025-2026 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor Paul Shrode can be reached at 920-809-2872 or psshrode@aol.com.