Rotary District 5300

sylvia whitlock
 

Session 4:  Membership  

Session 4  Objectives

 

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:  Lead the club in establishing membership goals and develop strategies for membership recruitment, retention, and education.

 

 

Quick Links

Recruitment

Having more Rotary club members increases the capacity for service.  New Rotarians bring fresh ideas, new interests, and increased energy.  Club membership that reflects the professional diversity of the community makes the club more attractive to the rest of the community.  Keep in mind that new members can assume leadership roles within the club.  In addition, when your membership reflects the diversity of the community, you will be better able to identify and meet local service needs.  There are many ways to diversify your club.  Examples include:  Profession, Age, Gender, and Ethnicity.

Organize a new club

Sponsoring a new club in your community can help recruit prospective members whose schedules conflict with the meeting times of existing clubs.  If a club is interested in sponsoring a new club, the president should:

 

Talk with the district governor or district membership development committee for help in sponsoring a new club

 

Assist the governor's special representative in planning and organizing the administrative processes

 

Help organize the new club's programs and projects

 

Report to the district governor as requested during the club's first year

 

Support the new club during its first two years

Session 4September 19, 2011

Membership Development

A club cannot exist or grow without stable membership.  A solid membership base can increase the club's service and fellowship.  Membership development includes:

  • Recruitment
  • Retention
  • Organizing new clubs
  • Education

The membership committee is the primary resource for achieving the club's membership goals.  The committee develops and implements an action plan for recruiting, retaining, and educating club members.  To determine membership needs, club presidents can

  • Use the membership section of the Planning Guide for Effective Rotary Clubs (appendix I) to assess the club and plan membership goals
  • Review the five-year membership profile of the club available through the district governor or governor-elect
  • Complete a classification survey and membership diversity assessment early in the year to ensure the club is reflective of the community
  • Visit the Membership Development Best Practices Exchange at www.rotary.org for ideas that have worked in other clubs
  • Go to www.rotary.org for club assessment resources.  

Membership Resources

Resources for membership development include:

 

- Assistant governor

- District membership development committee

- Regional Rotary International membership coordinator (RRIMC)

- Membership Development Division at RI World Headquarters

 

The following are suggested informational club resources:

 

- Membership Development Resource Guide 

- Club Assessment Tools (Web-only supplement to the Membership Development Resource Guide) 

- New Member Orientation: A How-to Guide for Clubs

- Membership Video Set

- Rotary Basics

 

Retention

There are many strategies for retaining members.  Some examples include: 

  • Conduct a new member orientation program to inform members
  • Assign a mentor to each new member
  • Involve new members in committees and projects
  • Hold relevant and interesting programs
  • Involves all members in committees and projects
  • Ensure the club is relevant to all members
  • Improve leadership skills by conducting a leadership development program.

The following reasons are the most commonly cited reasons for leaving Rotary:

  • Competing time commitments with family and work
  • Expenses associated with Rotary club membership
  • Lack of fellowship
  • Poorly structured meetings
  • Lack of service projects and programs that interest members and that relate to community needs
  • Unavoidable circumstances such as relocation

Education

Education about Rotary keeps members involved, increases retention, keeps members aware of Rotary activities worldwide, and creates motivation and enthusiasm.  Education is important for those in all stages of Rotary club membership, including prospective members, new members, and current members.  

 

Prospective members should be informed of the basics of Rotary and club activities.  Potential members should be provided with realistic expectations about the benefits and obligations of membership.  Current members should be informed members.  Education will make them more successful at membership recruitment.