KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL
Advertising Sales
COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION ADVERTISING
Although advertising sales figures for the January 1991 issue of Kiwanis magazine are only preliminary estimates at this time, strong sales in the October and November/December issues more than compensate for the January losses incurred from not being able to repeat last year's special 75th Anniversary issue. That January 1990, 75th Anniversary, issue was the largest advertising revenue generator in the history of the magazine~ and included many one time only ads from Kiwanis vendors, suppliers, and orga- nizations.
Sales totals follow for Fiscal Year 1989-90 and 1990-91 for comparison pur- poses. Fiscal Year 1990-91 figures, as noted above, include only prelimi- nary estimates for the January 1991 issue. Shown are totals for only the first three issues of each year.
OUTSIDE HOUSE ADS TOTAL
FY '89-90 .
$106,659 12,143
$118,802
FY '90-91
$121,200 12,768
$133,968
%
INC.13.6 5. 1
T2:s
Although these sales figures appear optimistic, the future is very unclear. Current general economic conditions appear to be mostly pessi- mistic, and even more pessimistic for the advertising media industry. Long term commitments from advertisers are fewer in number and generally
smaller in volume than at this same time last year, and initial reactions from advertisers to Kiwanis magazine's approximately 8.5% rate increase for 1991, have been strongly negative. This rate increase for outside advertisers was largely based on the proposed U.S. Postal Service increase expected early in 1991 which will have a major impact on the cost,
including the share attributed to the advertising budget, of mailing issues to subscribers.
Sales Meeting
Kiwanis magazine's annual sales meeting for independent sales represen- tatives was cancelled this past year, as a cost savings measure. It is being planned for reinstatement during Fiscal Year 1990-91. The change initiated this period last year in the magazine's West Coast representation has not, as yet, produced the desired improvements in sales from that
territory, and is continuing to be monitored closely. Staff will be looking at reestablishing a Southeastern US territory during the coming year, and again, expresses interest in finding a Detroit market represen- tative within the next two to three years.
Speakers Bureau
Club usage of the Speakers Bureau increased significantly during the last
quarter. (348 assignments) However, enthusiasm by participating organizations has not been as strong. The American Management Association and the American
Bankers Association have withdrawn, and efforts to add new participants, most notably, the Independent Insurance Agents of America; Merrill Lynch;
Massachusetts Mutual Insurance; and others have been unsuccessful to datee Reader Service
Reader response to Reader Service continues to be poor. This feature was excluded from three issues during the 1990 calendar year without signifi- cant loss of advertising nor objection by readers. Continuation of this program throughout 1991 is doubtful. Space in Kiwanis magazine will only be devoted to it on an as available/to fill basis, and response and results will continue to be monitored closely.
Alternative Sources of Income
Alternative Sources of Income's Affinity Credit Card Program continues.
The number of member complaints has dropped significantly while the number of opened accounts continues to build. Up-to-date activity and financial reports will be provided at the January Board Meeting. Staff suggests that the May 1991 Board Meeting may be the appropriate time to consider addi- tional programs or offerings in this area.
EDUCATION 1990 International Council
During the 1990 Council, the Education Department coordinated the Inter- national President's meeting with district governors and three concurrent Council workshops. Department staff organized and facilitated one of these workshops. Following Council, the department tabulated results of par- ticipant evaluations for use in planning the 1991 Council and summarized the three workshops for distribution to participants.
Leadership Development Program
Since October, the Education Department has developed and implemented a mechanism for gaining greater insights into how club presidents are uti- lizing in their clubs the skills gained in the Leadership Development Program and the impact on club operations.
Also, governors, governors-elect, and district secretaries were mailed extensive information concerning 1991 programs and specific requests rela- tive to district-wide program organization and promotion. A brochure for club presidents-elect, "High Performance Leadership: Keys To Success For Incoming Club Presidents" was drafted and reviewed by a variety of staff and Kiwanis volunteers. All materials for 1991 programs have been ordered, script revisions adopted, and information sent to trainers.
Certified Kiwanis Trainers
The department sent a solicitation to district bulletin editors and to district leaders, requesting the names of Kiwanians with the capability and interest to become Certified Kiwanis Trainers. Trainer applicants have been selected as replacement trainers and regional programs established to train and certify these applicants.
-3- Governors-elect Training Conference
Information, registration forms, draft agenda, and survey forms were mailed to governors-elect and Board faculty. Guests were invited. Divisions sub- mitted revisions to Reference Guide materials which are being prepared for duplication and insertion. Covers and tabs were ordered. Meals, rooms, and transportation were arranged. Picture brochures were ordered.
Education Department portions of the program have been developed. Also, staff is working with others who have presentation responsibilities.
Pocket Calendars
The Education Department has produced on in-house desktop publishing equip- ment the English version of the pocket calendar. As soon as the calendar contents are translated into other languages, the department will prepare similar versions. Three non-alpha language versions will be sent out for typesetting/ printing.
District Operations Training Program for Incoming Lieutenant Governors - Pilot Program
Seven districts applied to participate in one of three pilot tests of the District Operations Training Program for Incoming Lieutenant Governors.
The districts who applied were: Capital; Minnesota/Dakotas; New York;
Pacific Northwest; Utah/Idaho; West Virginia; and Wisconsin/Upper Michigan.
Three of these districts will be selected.
The department is also following up with governors and lieutenant governors in the three 1990 pilot districts.
Guidebooks
Revisions of the guidebooks for club presidents, club secretaries, and lieutenant governors have been completed and typeset except for pages ~on- cerning distinguished awards programs. The latter must await Board action in January.
International Committee on Kiwanis Leadership Selection
Department staff met with the Chairman and a member of this committee to offer observations and suggestions, particularly with regard to attracting skilled leaders into the lieutenant governor positions.
Convention Forums and Training Sessions
The schedule of forums and training sessions approved by the Board in October, 1990, has been distributed to Assistant Secretaries to confirm staff responsibilities for program development.
MAGAZINE Pre-Convention Coverage
A
Kiwanis magazine's promotion of the 76th Annual Kiwanis International Convention began in the January 1991 issue with a full-page ''Kiwanis Scene" story, and promotional articles will continue to be published in
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each issue through the June/July 1991 Kiwanis, Of special note are plans to change the format of the "Travel Guide," which traditionally is the February issue's cover story, running as a 2,500-word feature article.
This year, three map sections on six pages--along with "callout" pho- tographs and captions--will be produced, the intent of which is to give convention-goers a practical "roadmap" to help them plan family vacations around the Anaheim event, Also slated are two feature articles: one on California's scenic Highway 1 and another on the host city, the latter of which will be staff-written. All of these articles are intended to
heighten interest in convention attendance.
November/December 1990 Issue
This issue of Kiwanis contained a number of interesting Kiwanis-related items, including an editorial by President Wil Blechman, an MEP-related
"Scene" story on smoking, and a feature article, "Circle K Shakes Up Anaheim," which reported on that sponsored youth organization's 1990 International Convention in California. Other feature articles included the cover story, "Welcome to Airport Gridlock," which took a worldwide look at air travel congestion; "The Torment of 'Emotional Child .Abuse,'" an MEP-related article that was supplemented by a sidebar story about a Kiwanis club that is supporting a youth center; and "Science's Cutting Edge," a general interest feature that disclosed how the vanguard of scien- tific research may create some unbelieveable results in the near future.
January 1991 Issue
Highlights of the January 1991 Kiwanis include reports on two important meetings--the 1990 Iriternational Council in Indianapolis and the first Priority One Advisory Council meeting in Washington, DC; President Wil's
"Anniversary Message"; a "Kiwanis World" page on Japan; a MEP-related feature article titled "Defusing Loose Cannons," which concerns young children with emotional disorders; an international, environmental report titled "The Greening of the Globe," which is the cover story; and two - business-related pieces--"When Work Hits Home," which looks at the pitfalls of workaholism, and "Selling in the '90s," which discloses the sophisti- cated, high-tech sales techniques that will lure consumers in the decade ahead.
February 1991 Issue
The February 1991 issue will feature--besides its numerous convention- related pieces, including President Wil's "Convention Call"--an MEP-related article on childhood fantasies and their positive influences on children's behavioral development; an in-depth look at character education in schools;
a report on the pluses and minuses of business partnerships; and a fasci- nating self-help, general interest article on "information overload," which investigates how people are coping with the seemingly never-ending flow of facts in the Information Age.
ASJA Award
It was announced in October that Kiwanis magazine has been named the 1990 Magazine of the Year by the American Society of Journalists and Authors, an organization of professional writers, which noted that the magazine "has consistently adhered to the highest standards of American magazine
journalism," that it has "superb color photography," that its "level of
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writing is consistently high," and that" "the editing is always crisp and intelligent."
Youth Publications
The Magazine Department already has published five youth publications during the 1990-91 administrative year: three Keynoter magazines and two Circle K magazines. These magazines have been designed to appeal to both members and nonmembers alike, providing a well-balanced mix of organizational and general interest content. Two-color and four-color covers have been employed to enhance the publications' attractiveness.
Bulletins for Kiwanis Officers (BKOs)
The regional editions of the BKOs have been produced according to schedule-- three North American issues thus far during the 1990-91 administrative year (of eight scheduled) and one each of the European, Asia-Pacific, and Andean and Central American. The overseas issues all feature five stories about the 1990-93 Major Emphasis Program, as well as news customized for the spe- cific regions.
BFLM Magazine
Staff traveled to Brussels in November to meet with l1~aders of the BFLM District to discuss the possibility of "officializing" the BFLM magazine.
The initial talks were met with agreement and enthusiasm. Current Governor Nestor Betrains arranged the meeting to include the editors, district secre- tary, and Past Governor, Paul Francois. As with the Andean District, there are details to work out, and all further plans await Board approval of the procedures to officialize district/regional publications. In both cases, staff is encouraged by the attitude of districts where preliminary talks have taken place. Other districts showing interest in this program include The Netherlands, Republic of China, Norden, and Iceland. Only casual talks have been held with Japan.
MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS International Council Meeting
Staff provided necessary meeting planning support and services for the 1990-91 Council Meeting. As in past years, the Convention Department staff handled hotel negotiations, function room set-ups, menu coordination, registration and housing. Additionally, the department handled the floral and decorating needs as well as on-site coordination of events.
Plans for the 1991-92 Council Meeting already are underway. The event will take place over the dates of October 3-6 at the Hyatt Regency, and a banquet at the Indiana Roof is slated for Saturday evening.
Staff is in the process of accepting proposals for the 1992-93 Council Meeting, and the dates for that meeting are October 1-4.
Anaheim Convention
Staff has selected several subcontractors for the Anaheim Convention including air carriers (Delta and United), car rental firm (Alamo), decora- tor (Greyhound) and tour company (California Leisure Consultants). These firms are preparing promotional flyers which will be included in the con- vention receipt packets. Also included in the receipt packet will be a flyer regarding the limited seating on Sunday night in Anaheim.
An Anaheim promotional flyer, containing general convention information and a tentative program schedule, is being prepared for mailing in December with the Convention Registration form. Letters to club secretaries, lieutenant governors and district officers have been prepared and are being translated for this mailing, which also will include delegate cer- tification forms and information.
Speakers secured for the Anaheim Convention include Jane Brody (food columnist), Judith Viorst (author), Burton White (Director, Center for Parent Education), and Robert Schuller for the Legion of Honor Luncheon.
The Host Committee still is pursuing Tommy LaSorda for the Prayer Breakfast or, if LaSorda is unavailable, John Wooden.
For Monday's "Open Luncheon," author and journalist George Plimpton has been secured.
Entertainers Marvin Hamlisch and Melissa Manchester have heen signed for the Monday night Superstar Show, and American Indian White Eagle will per- form at the Wednesday evening closing session.
For the Opening Session, staff has asked Disneyland to check on a "Kids of the Kingdom" type group. Additionally, staff has gathered information on
"Up With People," the "Young Americans," and several other groups and choruses in the event that a Disney group is not available/affordable.
Staff has secured single-day discount tickets to Disneyland for the Convention. The tickets, which cost $27.50 at the gate, will be sold by Kiwanis International for $19, but the cost to Kiwanis International will be
$17.75. The tickets will be valid for any one day between Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 30, and a ticket order form will accompany the convention receipt packet.
Staff has been working closely with the Youth Chairman in Anaheim to plan various youth outings and activities. In addition to the Youth Lounge, where childcare services will be provided, there will be daily outings and two evening events for youth.
Staff also has been working with the Hospitality Chairpersons to coordinate special activities in the Hospitality lounge. At this time, consideration is being given to "Meet and Greet" sessions with Hugh O'Brian (HOBY) and Rafer Johnson (Special Olympics).
Indianapolis Convention (1992)
Early in November staff visited the hotels that will be used for the 1992 Convention. Room blocks and meeting space needs were reviewed, and hotels were asked to submit rates.
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It is anticipated that hotel rates and district hotel assignments will be finalized in time for the Governors-elect Conference in March.
Staff met with President-elect Morton and the Indianapolis Host Chairman and Vice Chairman_to review roles and responsibilities for the Convention and to discuss promotional ideas for the On-to-Indianapolis booth in Anaheim.
Nice Convention
(1993)
Staff has made plans to visit Nice with a Wagons-lits representative to view hotels and begin rate negotiations. Visits also will be made to the Convention facilities.
Preparations for the
1993
International Convention at Nice have beenprogressing. Wagons-lits/Destination France, the international travel mana- gement company with headquarters in Colombus, Ohio and Paris, has been appointed official agent for the Convention. Among the duties of the desti- nation management company will be arrangements for site visits, including flights, appointments with hotels and facilities, housing, and ground transportation.
Agents from Destination France will also be responsible for arrangements and negotiations for hotel, airline, pre- and post-tours, local excursions, and entertainment facilities. Currently, four agents have been assigned to work with staff and the Treasurer in developing plans and promotions for the Convention. Representatives from Nice and Destination France will attend both the Anaheim and Nice Conventions to observe and publicize the
Convention.
The contract has been received from the Nice Acropolis and Exhibition Center which verifies that all space is being held with no charge for rental. Room use, seating arrangements, and production/staging are being studied.
All hotels originally contacted have committed an initial block and are waiting for staff to meet with the managers to finalize arrangements. The spread of hotels will be greater than in the U.S., the majority of rooms being in Nice and surrounding areas. Some rooms will be held in Monaco, a
35-40
minute drive from Nice, and some in Cannes, a45
minute drive from Nice.A meeting with all hotels has been scheduled during the second week in February when staff will visit each hotel to make final arrangements.
During that same week, staff will accompany International Treasurer and Mrs.
Bill Lieber to France on a site visit which will include meetings with Wagons-lits/Destination France International in Paris, with officials in Nice, Monaco, and Cannes, and with local Kiwanians from clubs on the Riviera.
Nice representatives and Wagons-lits representatives have been asked to secure and/or prepare promotional and informational brochures to distribute in Anaheim.
Travel Management
Figures for the 1989-90-91 years are not yet complete; reports from November 15 through December 31, 1990 will not be ready until the first week in
January. To date, however, the financial reports are encouraging. Revenue sharing income as of November 4 totals $12,446.12. Reports indicate that Kiwanis International has also succeeded in managing its travel, since of the more than 886 tickets purchased, most travelers have not asked for exceptions to procedures and have thus saved money. Current estimates show that, in addition to revenue sharing, there has been a 55 percent savings over Y or unrestricted fares.
Standard fare savings which could be earned through most agents is 30-to-40 percent. That means Kiwanis has realized between 15-to-25 percent savings.
Meaningful comparisons cannot be made until another year, since there is no historical base prior from which to compare. An important variable intra- vel is that Kiwanis International travel patterns vary every year according to counseling assignments and presidential travel.
In addition, the designated agency has taken notable steps to improve its service to Kiwanis International travelers. Recent complaints about service have been few, with many people complaining about areas which are airline problems, not agency relatede Other travelers continue to compare rates with either airline direct booking or local agents. Where fare differences have been noted, Wagons-lits either refunded the difference or booked the lower fare. In every case, the inquiry was not made on the same day or con- tained different specifications. Wagons-lits also adjusted those fares to match findings. In fact, Wagons-lits, Indianapolis has investigated and followed up on every complaint and corresponded with the individual.
A complete year will not occur until February 1, 1990, at which time all totals will be available for study. It appears, however, that what Kiwanis International set out to do--to manage and control costs of its travel through a designated agent and with procedures, to earn alternative income through revenue sharing, and to generate savings--has been achieved.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Children's Miracle Network Telethon (CMNT)
The Osmond Foundation's liaison to Kiwanis International has shown con- siderable interest in Young Children: Priority One and plans to educate hospital telethon coordinators about the program. The Osmond Foundation has indicated an interest in participating in the Advisory Council.
A newsletter on supporting the Telethon went to all clubs in a general mailing, and videotapes have been sent to district chairmen and telethon coordinators.
Special Olympics
Staff met with Special Olympics representatives and agreed that there would be no further discussions on financial support for the Unified Sports
program. Kiwanis will continue to observe the Unified Sports Bowling program.