Lesson Learned at the Spring Zing!
Last night James and I attended the Jr. League of Ann Arbor’s Spring Zing!
One of the highlights of the evening was hearing from Ari Weinzweig co-founder of Zingerman’s. (That’s my friend Heidi, president-elect of the Jr. League, with Ari.)
Zingerman’s Deli, for those of you who do not know, started out as a little deli in Ann Arbor 25 years ago. Ari and his parter Paul Saginaw were and are visionary sort of guys who built a future based on their values - including doing the right thing.
Zingerman’s Deli has become an Ann Arbor tradition - and one of America’s best-known deli. It serves amazing sandwiches, Magic Brownies - and has all sorts of scrumptious top-quality food products available.
Over the last 25 years, Ari and Paul have lead and empowered their team like few other companies truly dare to do. Zingerman’s has evolved into a conglomerate of sorts that includes a roadhouse restaurant, a bakehouse, a creamery and a mail-order company that is known worldwide.
One of the points Ari discussed in his talk last night that lingered with me was when you are doing the same thing over and over and involving humans, the only experience that really matters is today.
Ari gave the example that he could serve great food yesterday; however, if the salt was left out of a recipe today a new guest would be less than impressed - and possibly not come back.
Ari’s point is very applicable to your chapter as well.
It’s easy to be in the swing of your volunteer work. You may have attended ten, twenty or even more than 100 chapter events over the years. You know how things are supposed to work.
A prospective member or first-time volunteer only has their experience in the moment to call their chapter experience.
If your leadership team forgets to introduce guests, to give step-by-step instructions or just tells the new person to “just do it” - the new experience will be lacking - and you may never see that member or volunteer again.
How do you guarantee quality experiences - especially for those who are new to your chapter?
Filed under: Getting More Members Involved, Recruiting New Members, Volunteers
