The challenges facing businesses, clubs, networking groups and a plethora of other entities around the world is a list far too great to put into one story, but for local organizations, membership and fundraising are typically two of the largest factors that challenge the groups. For all organizations, if your presence on the web is not crisp, clean and current, you run the risk of not only turning away potential members, but community support.
This story is not new to those of us who have been part of a community group for an extended period of time. Personally, I have been part of two of the three volunteer groups, the Hastings Hawks and the Hastings Area Rotary Club for quite some time, and partnered with the other, HYAA. I joined the Hawks in 2011, and Rotary either late 2020 or early 2021.
The partnership with HYAA through the Hawks has been nearly as long because we both serve the same group of people in Hastings, HYAA gets the softball and baseball players at the younger ages as they learn to love their sport, and the Hawks hopefully get the baseball players as they transition from high school to adult.
Now, I can only write about this from a personal experience, but I also know there are so many amazing community minded and volunteer led groups in Hastings, so please, do not feel slighted if I don’t list them all, these are the three that I know about and are personally important to me.
All three have recently gone through a wonderful online transition.
HastingsHawks.com
Last summer, the Hawks implemented a new website with the intention of making it easier for board members to keep current during the season which in turn provides higher quality, and better organized content.
The site has yearly statistics for the team thanks to two people, Johnny Stocker and Derek Simon. The schedule along with social media humor because of several players and volunteers. Game recaps, the roster, the full Veterans Park Baseball Field calendar (including youth and Hastings Hurricanes games) and news stories. You can find links to the online broadcasts of the Hawks games, the concessions menu and information on the board.
HastingsMNRotary.com
When the community lost a long-standing pillar of service Dan Rother in November of 2024, the Hastings Area Rotary Club began efforts to distribute the duties that Dan facilitated for the club, one of those being their website. The ultimately passed on to me and my goal was to make a site that would not only make both the club itself proud, but the Hastings community and most importantly Dan. The transition of the technology needed from this site was interesting to say the least, as was the process of gaining control from a variety of companies with Dan’s passing.
A lot was learned and the club has a beautiful website. The biggest challenge was setting up the site to take donations which are a vital part of helping our club support Hastings. Once that was completed, the rest fell in line. The site gives an overview of the club itself, projects the club has completed over its history, and shares the most important piece for the club, how to become a member. When the club holds its annual rose and flower sale, ordering will take place via an online form. Once Mother Nature decides it is time to keep the warm weather around, there will be options for booking rides as part of the Cycling Without Age program and fishing trips with the Rivertown Fishing and Boating Program. Both programs are for area seniors, veterans and people with disabilities to help them get out and enjoy Hastings.
HYAA.info
I think this is my favorite remake of the three, they did a spectacular job visually, the site is simply beautiful. Having a visually appealing website means nothing if the content is lacking and they did a great job with that aspect as well. There is so much information for parents, players and the community on their site. Both Baseball and Softball have their own sections chalk full of information. The board section has agendas, minutes, officer information, bylaws and policies and board election information including results.
Volunteer requirements are laid out clearly with links to DIBS opportunities, if there is inclement weather there is information on how to sign up for the city park closure alerts. It is a great, “one stop shop” for youth baseball and softball people to go for information about the Hastings Youth Athletic Association’s Baseball and Softball programs.
As stated earlier, there are a ton of great organizations in Hastings that do so much amazing work. I am proud to be a part of each of these organizations in the ways I am. It feels good knowing that one person can make a positive impact in our community, especially when like-minded individuals work together and share the load.
That is where this story ultimately leads to the challenge. Being part of a community organization is not perfect sometimes. It can be frustrating, it can be tiring, it can be work, but the rewards outweigh the trials. So, my challenge to you is…
VOLUNTEER!
It is actually easier than most people think. Going back to my personal experience for the Hawks. Sometimes we just need a friendly face that can greet people at the ticket booth for playoffs. A couple of hours selling tickets to a playoff game, as long as you can smile, count money and remember a few bits of information, you can help.
Maybe working in concessions at the counter or grilling for concessions. Both HYAA and the Hawks need that help. HYAA and Rotary often have volunteer needs selling things during their day long events. Those are just three organizations in town out of dozens if not hundreds of organizations that need help.
Would you rather be the brain behind the scenes? Join an organization’s board of directors. The opportunities to give back are there and I promise, when you see one person’s life changed for the better because you were there, it is all worth it. I hope to see you out there being the good in the world!