Key Principles of Hospitality - S.E.R.V.I.C.E.

S.E.R.V.I.C.E.

  How can we gain new members, and encourage existing members to stay?  The Legion has developed the following Key Principles of Hospitality – S.E.R.V.I.C.E. – to create a more welcoming and hospitable Legion environment.

  Legion Branches are the cornerstone of communities across Canada, and provide one of the largest volunteer bases in the country. With more than 1400 Branches from coast to coast to coast, our members provide local services and supports to build a stronger Canada. Whether helping local Veterans, supporting seniors, providing youth sports programs, raising funds, volunteering to help those in need, or simply offering a place to gather for fun and celebration, Legionnaires provide essential services in their communities. 

 We need to remember and recognize these core values cannot be achieved without active participation from thousands of Legion volunteers who subscribe to these founding principles.

S  is for SMILE. Each person (member or visitor) who enters your local branch should be greeted with a smile. Ensure the local branch key personnel are aware of the importance of greeting all with a smile. A smile provides a degree of comfort for anyone entering your branch. Always attempt to reach out to the guest before they reach out to you.

E  is for ENQUIRE. Attempt to take time to enquire about all present in your branch. Get their name. How have you been? What are your plans for this weekend? Engaging your membership base automatically creates a more welcoming environment by creating a personal connection.

R  is for REMEMBER.  Not only is this one of our core Legion values but it also is important to remember your members and follow up on any previous conversations you have had. Did your plans for the weekend work out? Did you speak with your wife about attending our Friday night dinner? Remember important dates. Reach out on special birthdays or anniversaries to show recognition of these accomplishments. Again, a key component of creating a personal connection.

V  is for VERY NICE TO SEE YOU. This statement goes hand in hand with a smile to create a more welcoming environment. When followed up with remembering a previous encounter it further demonstrates a welcoming environment. Treat everyone with the same level of engagement and courtesy.

I  is for INTRODUCE. Make an effort to introduce your members to other people in your branch. The more people one has met the more comfortable they will be on returning, as they will feel part of a larger organization.

C  is for CONNECT.  Aside from the initial conversations it is important that your branch stays connected to your members when they are not at your establishment. This can be accomplished by having a branch website promoting upcoming events and a regular email newsletter, which are highly cost efficient and proactively keep your members updated on upcoming events.

E  is for ENTICE TO JOIN.  The chances of attracting new members to join are greatly enhanced once all of the above have been accomplished. If you have created a welcoming environment, your chances will be much higher of signing up new members and retaining current members. Do not be afraid to ask members to join, as it is through our members that we are able to achieve our core values as an organization.

Mid-September Update

MID SEPTEMBER UPDATE

  In celebration of Legion Week, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 52 will hold its annual Legion Week Tea in the Legion Hall on September 19 from 2-4:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. There is no cost; donations for the Alzheimer Society are gratefully accepted. If you require a ride, please call the Branch at 204-467-2261.

  NEWS FROM THE SEPTEMBER MEETING

  President Tim Williams wishes to thank all who contributed to the success of Quarry Days. Draft beer from Trans Canada Brewery was well-received at the Beer Garden.

  There will be no Fall Supper this year. There are many suppers locally, competing with ours, so we will try having a supper in the spring instead. Stay tuned for further developments!

  Crib starts on October 4; play begins at 7:00 sharp, so do not be late! Also in October, with dates to be determined, darts will start up again. Call the Branch at 204-467-2261 for further information.

  Legion Membership Cards are now available in the Club Room. Early Bird pricing is $35.00 for those over 70 years of age, and $40.00 for regular members. Early Birds will have their names entered in a draw to win their next year’s Membership FREE!

  On November 3 we will hold the annual Vets Dinner and Dance, preceded by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new, all-access Hall doors at 4:30. Cocktails will be at 5:00 and Dinner at 6:00, followed by speeches and presentations, and then on to the Dance in the Club Room with the Marvels. Tickets are $15.00 in advance; call the Branch.

  The October meeting will be held on OCTOBER 16, not on October 9 as previously scheduled. Don’t miss it!

ALL COMMUNICATION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE BRANCH OFFICE, email rcl52@shaw.ca phone 204-467-2261.

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

  Well the kiddies are on their way back to school, and the combines are in the fields. It must be  September! Be sure to slow down in school zones, watch for kiddies walking and riding on the streets, and look out for farm equipment travelling the highways and back roads. And of course watch out for school buses!

  At the Legion this fall we do not have a lot of excitement planned as yet. The Club Room will be closed for the Labour Day holiday on September 03, and again for the Thanksgiving holiday on October 08.

  Legion Week begins with a service at the Anglican Church in Stonewall on September 16 at 10:15 a.m.. There will be a tea – date to be determined. Watch this space for further developments!

  This year we are departing from a long-standing tradition in that we will NOT be having a Fall Supper. We hope that nobody is too badly inconvenienced. In the past, we have had some difficulty coming up with a convenor and sufficient volunteers. Sometimes it looks like it is the same few people doing all the volunteering.

  A Halloween Dance is planned, to take place in the Club Room on October 27 with the band Halo Jump.

  And that is all the news for now. Updates will be published as information is received.
  For questions or comments, please email rcl52@shaw.ca or telephone 204-467-2261.

  Take care, everybody!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Sept 03 Club Room closed

Sept 07 MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow; BBQ starts 5:30

Sept 11 Exec Meeting 7 pm, General Meeting 8 pm

Sept 14 MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow; BBQ starts 5:30

Sept 16 Church Service 10:15 at Anglican Church in Stonewall

Sept 16-22 Legion Week

Sept 21 MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow; BBQ starts 5:30

Sept 28 MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow; BBQ starts 5:30

Oct 05 MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Oct 08 Club Room closed

Oct 09 Exec Meeting 7 pm, General Meeting 8 pm

Oct 12 MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Oct 19 MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Oct 26 MEAT DRAW starts 6:30; 50/50 to follow

Oct 27 Halloween Dance in the Club Room entertainment by Halo Jump

Reminders

Bingo – Mon nights at 7 for the Early Birds

Seniors' Bingo – Tues afternoons at 1:30

Chase the Queen – Wed evenings 7:30 – 8:30

Meat Draw – Friday nights starting at 6:30