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Orangeville man takes the reigns of Kin Canada
Tuesday August 26 2008
By RICHARD VIVIAN Banner Staff Writer
 
Orangeville’s Doug Robinson is hoping to steer Kin Canada in a new direction — at least when it comes to its dependence on membership dues. The local man ascended to the role of national president last week.
“It’s an opportunity for me to use the skills that I’ve developed as I’ve progressed through the organization to give back and try to help improve where it’s going and what it’s doing — help the clubs succeed in their work in the community,” he tells The Banner.
Robinson has been involved with Kin Canada for 19 years, including two terms as president of the Orangeville Kinsmen Club. Each term lasts one-year.
He’s also had about five years of involvement at the provincial level and about 10 on the national stage, in various capacities. Most recently, he served as vice president of the association’s national board of directors.
The board overseas Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin clubs throughout Canada.
“Our association serves various worthwhile causes in the communities where we live and work,” Robinson says. “I will be working with the local clubs and their leadership to promote our association and the work it does.”
During his term at the top, Robinson hopes to usher the association through a review of its membership structure and find a way to tap into the volunteer spirit that exists in communities across Canada.
Like all service organizations, he says the Kin clubs have seen their membership decline during the last 30 years. However, he says statistics show there are more people volunteering than ever before, just not through clubs.
“The trick for us is going to be for us to find a way to tap into those volunteers and restructure our organization so that we’re not as dependent upon our member’s dues to fund the structure,” Robinson says.
“It’s examining that change in model that I hope to bring to the table this year, and see if we can’t find a solution,” he continues. “It’s going to be a tall challenge, but we’re going to look at it and see what we can do.”