Hello Champions of Service-Believers!

As I write today, we are getting ready to head to San Antonio, TX for the 102nd Civitan International Convention. You know that things are bigger in Texas, right? I am really excited about the convention, and I can’t wait to see so many of you there in person and online! We have a REALLY BIG time planned for you and I hope you will tell everyone what a great time you had.

We are fast approaching the 75% marker for this Civitan year, and the time has flown by. I have thoroughly enjoyed traveling around the US and Canada and seeing the tremendous difference Civitans make in their communities. As things get back to “normal” all those wonderful service projects, fundraisers, and socials we so dearly enjoy are returning. Special Olympics is back and the world games were just held in Orlando. How great is that? If there is one thing the pandemic taught us is that Civitans are needed now more than ever to keep our communities thriving and helping those less fortunate than we are. I BELIEVE that Civitans make our communities a better place to live and work.

How is your club doing? The last quarter of the year would be a great time for each club board to evaluate service projects, fundraisers and even fellowship activities. Are they still relevant to your club? Are you getting a majority of the members participating? Is it time to sunset some of these activities and find some fresh ideas? How is your meeting place? Does it meet the needs of the club as far as food, private meeting space, great place to bring guests? How about the day and time you meet? Is it convenient for most of your members? Do you have meaningful and even entertaining speakers? Members time is precious. Make sure you give them a good reason to spend some of their time with your club. How is your membership? Most clubs experienced a decline in membership during COVID and now is a great time to get more members. Schedule a membership meeting and plan it out in advance. Invite your friends, neighbors, people from work, people from church, people you meet at your service projects. They are all potential members! Also, invite back your former members. They were sold on Civitan before, it will be a lot easier to get them back!

How are you doing as a member of a Civitan Club? Do the projects, fundraisers, and socials your club has appeal to you? Have you made suggestions for new ones? Have you shared Civitan with at least one of your acquaintances? At the beginning of this year, I asked each of you to sponsor just one new member this year and we would double our membership. It’s time to ask the people you know to come check us out. Remember, people join Civitan Clubs because someone asked them to join!

Thank you each and every one of you for everything you do in your communities. I BELIEVE we have the greatest members! See y’all in San Antonio! Yee haw!

Best regards,

Dan Brown
Civitan International President, 2021-2022