The Crisis Killing Service Organizations - And How to Save Them
Rotary clubs, Lions International, Chambers of Commerce, and countless other service organizations are dying. Membership is aging out, younger generations aren't joining, and traditional models that worked for decades are failing spectacularly.
In this eye-opening episode of Rooted in Revenue, host Susan Finch and guest Miguel de Jesus tackle this crisis head-on. Miguel, a seasoned executive who went from East Harlem public housing to building $2B in revenue at Paychex, brings decades of organizational leadership experience. Susan, running a nonprofit in Oregon while watching service organizations struggle, offers frontline perspective on what's not working.
Together, they dissect why Monday noon meetings don't attract busy professionals anymore, how ego-driven leadership kills organizations just like it kills companies, and why value propositions matter more than tradition. But this isn't just about problems - it's about solutions.
Discover how to reach students before they graduate, why "actionists beat activists" with younger generations, and how organizations can adapt their models without losing their mission. Whether you're leading a Rotary club, Chamber of Commerce, or any community organization, this conversation offers a roadmap for survival and growth.
The future of community service depends on leaders willing to evolve. Are you ready to adapt?
6 Key Points
- Traditional Models Failing - Monday noon meetings and old networking styles are driving away modern professionals and younger generations
- Value Proposition Crisis - Service organizations can't answer "what's in it for me?" beyond giving opportunities that don't resonate with everyone
- Student Engagement Opportunity - Reaching college and high school students creates future members but requires new approaches and connections
- Actionists Over Activists - Younger generations want hands-on, tangible impact projects rather than traditional meeting-heavy service models
- Leadership Adaptation Required - Organizations need strategic thinking, not just tactical fixes, to survive the membership crisis
Community Connection Missing - Modern mobility and lack of traditional community structures require intentional relationship-building approaches
Miguel de Jesús: Miguel de Jesús transformed from growing up in East Harlem public housing to becoming a powerhouse business executive. His strong family foundation and early discipline through music and sports provided the launching pad for extraordinary career success.
After attending Long Island University and Columbia's MBA program, Miguel joined Xerox and rapidly advanced through executive roles. At Paychex, he helped grow the company from $40 million to over $2 billion in revenue while leading 1,500+ team members.
Today, Miguel is a sought-after business coach, keynote speaker, and trainer specializing in emotional intelligence and AI-influenced business practices. He serves military special operations personnel transitioning to civilian careers through the Honor Foundation and recently completed five years as Director of Business Development at Cal State University San Marcos.
His core values—compassion, competence, achievement, and helping others—drive everything he does as he teaches leaders how to lead with both humility and results.
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