The Communication Corner
Your 60-Second "Why I Joined": A Story Every Member Should Have Ready
Facts about a club tell a guest what it does. A member's story tells her whether she belongs there.
By Josias Andujar · · 1 min read
Most members, asked "So what's this club about?", recite the mission statement or list projects. It's accurate, and it's easy to forget.
Three beats, 60 seconds
- Before. One sentence about where you were when you first came. "I'd just moved here and didn't know anyone outside work."
- The moment. One specific thing that happened at a meeting or a project. A name, a place, a detail. "At my second meeting, Carol handed me a hammer and said, 'You're with me Saturday.'"
- Now. What it means to you today, in plain words. "Half my friends in this town I met through this club."
Then stop. Ask the guest a question about themselves.
Why it works
A specific moment is easier to picture and remember than a list of activities. Ending with a question turns a pitch into a conversation. It also fits what organizations are asking for: Kiwanis, for example, tells clubs that celebrating their successes is part of being visible. (Kiwanis International)
Practice it at your next meeting
- Give five members two minutes to draft their three beats.
- Give each one a minute to tell a neighbor.
- Those five are now your guest greeters.