Count on continuous training to grow strong clubs, not luck

Vol.001 of The Mulembe Odyssey bulletin is a must-have collectible on how to plant and grow strong YMI Clubs in Area

Africa. It is an epic tale of the “dream”, “efforts”, “logistics of establishing”, “setting of the Charter date”, “training”, “The Vision” of the Charter President and the “The Journey to the Charter” of the Y Service Club of Kakamega (the Club). One of the sweetest stories in the bulletin is the story of how, even prior to its charter, the Club placed great emphasis on continuous training as a growth strategy. In his vision as the charter president of the Club, IPCP Elisha Ongoya SC promised, on page 7 of the bulletin, that “members will certainly undergo continuous training on the essence of being a Y’sMan.”

And true to his promise, from Wednesday 8th May, 2025 to date, and for the benefit of all members and clubs in the entire Area Africa, the Club has held continuous trainings for 1-hour every Wednesday from 8pm-9pm. Both Ysmen and Ysyouth attend. These continuous trainings are helping generate a wind of change across Area Africa by building a critical mass of well-informed and inspired members who, it is expected, will grow strong clubs to take Area Africa to the next level.

We can learn two lessons from the Club’s weekly trainings. First, to grow strong clubs, club leaders should count on continuous quality training, not luck. Well-trained leaders lead better. Well-trained members are often easier to work with. Well-trained members are easier to work together to achieve great things. Well-trained clubs have less conflicts. Well-trained clubs have a firm sense of direction. Well-trained clubs make stronger Districts, Regions and Areas.

Second, consistency in training is very important. Consistency builds momentum. Consistency in training helps integrate training into club culture and club identity.