Rev. Gil Kiekenapp, DD
MnSF-Metro president

"Each One Reach One" is the slogan you saw emblazoned on a banner spanning our membership conclave hall a few weeks ago. Given our overall declining member numbers, recruitment should now be priority one for MnSF.

"Each One Reach One" is a formula we can use to double our membership numbers overnight. The math does work out and becomes obvious even to those of us numbered in the ranks of the numerically challenged. If every member signs up just one new member our ranks double. (And that's counting by the "old math".)

"Each One Reach One" - let me break it down for you:

• "Each One" includes all of us; volunteer leaders, staff, program beneficiaries, mailing project helpers, speaker's bureau presenters, you and me.
• "Reach" is trying to make contact with another. The phone company said it years ago, "reach out and touch someone." You and I each know personally at least one individual who is not yet a member of MnSF.
• "One" is a number anybody can handle. And once you've done one, chances are you'll find that its hard to stop there.

Each of us joined MnSF for reasons important enough to merit writing a check and parting with scarce shekels. I still believe in the cause that brought me to this organization, and for that reason I can't help but spread the good news to all the friends and neighbors in my reach. Since I want our Senior Federation to continue its past good work and to keep on finding new problems that must be solved, it only makes sense for me to want its membership (and resources) to grow. My pride in our agency involves also the fact that when it comes to seniors' issues and state government lobbying on behalf of seniors, we are the only real Minnesota home-grown grass-roots players in the game. 

Here in Manylakes, Minnesota, we know a lot about boats. Now it takes a lot of wood to make this boat float. Once afloat, it takes a lot of oars in the water to make it go. Your oar in the water is a good source of power for the MnSF boat. But if you haven't noticed, there's an empty rower's spot right next to you that needs a member occupant. Every crew member on this ship is also a crew recruiter. "Each One Reach One!"

In the very troubled waters of this day and age, the concept of "Each One Reach One" will not only float our boat but will predict smooth sailing for this Member-Ship.