Kin Blog

With the emergence (and dominance) of social media and other online tools in our daily lives, getting through to your audience can be tricky at times. How do you get through to someone who is constantly seeing ads, jumping around different social media sites and scanning headlines but rarely reading full stories throughout the day? One way is through storytelling, and telling your story properly.

Over the last several months, we’ve seen many Kin Canada clubs celebrate major anniversaries. There have been 40, 60 and even 90 year milestones reached, which as a result, make us reflect on the accomplishments of the past (almost) 94 years Kin Canada has been around – and look forward to the future with determination to make the next 94 years just as noteworthy.

While Kin Canada clubs perform countless service projects and fundraisers each year, there’s a lot of additional coverage about them around this time because of the holiday-centered projects and events.

A hot topic in the non-profit sector is how to properly recognize volunteers. Knowing how to do this and engaging your volunteers will go a long way in providing a good volunteer experience. (Not to mention the benefits of when those positive experiences are shared with others; word of mouth is arguably the most effective marketing tool out there!).

As per usual at this time of year, red poppies are worn by Canadians and people in several other countries to honour, recognize and remember the sacrifices made - and that continue to be made - by members of our armed forces. This has been a tradition since the end of World War I, and I don’t doubt it will continue for years to come.

Ghosts. Goblins. Devils. Vampires. Those are just a few of the standard scary costumes that are bound to be rampant this evening as kids go trick-or-treating for Halloween. While watching scary movies and dressing up in scary outfits and makeup is a staple at this time of year, there’s something else that can cause goosebumps, fear and worry all year round: student debt. 

Pay it forward. Random acts of kindness. Whatever you call it, the principle is the same: do something good and be kind to others. It seems to be such a simple idea, that one person doing something nice can lead to the recipient passing it on or learning something positive.

There’s been a high level of excitement at Kin Canada and among members over the past couple of months and we’re finally able to officially share the energy: we're offering opportunities for students in college and university to become involved by joining Kin Canada Campus Clubs.

With the Kin Canada National Convention right around the corner, the anticipation is building for what I consider my favourite part of the event, the Founding Members Speaking Award competition. This year, sixteen Kin members who competed and were selected at the club, zone and district level, will compete at the National level in St. John’s on August 14.

Earlier today, Nadyne and I judged the Quill submissions, a Kin Canada National award that encourages the development of members’ written communication skills. Kin members submit their story at the district level, and each district is allowed to send up to two entries for consideration for the national award.