Rotary Membership Moments
Rotary International has suggested that membership be mentionedat each meeting as a simple reminder of its importance to the club. Helaine Campbell, D5130, compiled a list of messages in 2005-2007 to be read at each weekly club meeting to help draw attention to the importance of membership. PDG Riki Intner has adapted those messages for District 5150. It is recommended that you make it a part of your weekly meeting and/or newsletter.
Week 1, July 4-8, 2011: Rotary does not have a membership problem it has an invitation opportunity. During the year invite your family, friends, business and social acquaintances to your Rotary meetings and events. This is a wonderful opportunity to educate them about all the good things Rotary has to offer; business networking, friendship, the opportunity for service - to work on projects in the community and the internationality of Rotary.
Don’t be selfish; invite someone to your next Rotary meeting.
Week 2, July 11-15: Retaining new members is one of the most challenging parts of membership. Without a positive and clear plan, new members walk out the door as fast as they walk in and when asked why, they generally say, “no one invited me to be involved!” It is everyone’s responsibility to engage and inform new members, the sponsor for the new member has an even greater role.
Remember to keep your new members active and informed so he or she is involved and becomes a true Rotarian.
Week 3, July 18-22: Knowing that two Rotary clubs will be chartered someplace in the world today, tomorrow and every day provides a strong endorsement of the vitality and extension of Rotary service throughout the world. By inviting someone you know to a meeting insures the health and vitality of your own club and enlarges the ideals of Rotary worldwide.
Offer a life-changing opportunity to a friend or acquaintance.
Week 4, July 25-29: Members are required to attend at least 50% of club meetings each year and at least 30% of their own club’s meetings in each half of the year. A missed meeting may be made up by attending another club or participating in a Rotary project/event within 14 days before or after a missed meeting.
Make-ups can be fun and enjoyable. You never fail to meet interesting new faces at other clubs and often run into friends you didn’t know were Rotarians.
Do a makeup, meet a new friend.
Week 5, Aug 1-5: Craft talks are a way to learn about club members: where they were born, educated, about their family, employment, hobbies and community interests. When a new member shares this is called a Rookie Sketch in some clubs. A long termmember can share their background so that everyone can get to know them better. It makes a great mini program and you’ll be surprised at the reception you get when you share a bit of yourself with other Rotarians.
Get to know your fellow members – Let them get to know you.
Week 6, Aug 8-12: Have you ever visited a strange city where you don’t know a soul? Walk into a Rotary meeting and you are greeted with a warm welcome, a hand- shake and an invitation to sit at a particular table and of course you are made to feel welcome. So when you see a Rotarian from another club or visitors (they may be your program for the meeting) come through the door of your meeting room offer your hand and a warm welcome. It may turn out that they are a person you can conduct business with, play a round of golf with or have your kids on the same soccer team. It says that your club is warm and inviting.
Treat your meeting place like your home – Welcome visitors warmly.
Week 7, Aug 15-19: Involvement grows when members learn more about your club and how it operates. Find out when the next board meeting will be held and plan on attending. Learn how the club functions, what is planned for the year, and how you can become an active participant. Look outside the club and attend a District function, the DistrictAssembly, Foundation Event or workshops. Plan to attend the District Conference or Rotary International Convention. Rotary has a vast array of opportunities that can lead to adventures around the world.
Grow your Rotary knowledge and let Rotary grow in you.
Week 8, Aug 22-26: Consider hosting a Group Study Exchange (GSE) team member or Youth Exchange student from a different county. This is a wonderful opportunity for a Rotarian family to have a foreigner in their home sharing cultures. If we involve our families in Rotary they will come to understand the opportunities that Rotary has to offer and they will understand your commitment to the organization. Education and involvement will make us better Rotarians and we will want to share in this unique organization.
What better way to world peace and understanding?
WEEK 9, Aug29-Sept 2: Are you on the Membership Committee? As a club member you are, but each club should have a Membership Chair and a formal committee. All of us must be on the lookout for that prospective member: the local franchise owner, the librarian, friend, business acquaintance or the golfer you last played with.
Be an active Membership Committee member. Bring a guest to a meeting.
Week 10, Sept 5-9: Past RI President Glen Kinross said the following: “Rotary is a miracle because in an increasingly violent world, where intolerance is rampant and narrow allegiances to ethnic, political or religious creeds have become of paramount importance, Rotarians offer friendships and opportunities to people of all races and persuasions. Rotary is a miracle because it offers glimpses of a better world. Rotary works towards that possible and achievable society that will one day conquer the absence of peace –a society that will provide opportunities and equality for all.”
Believe in the miracle: We are Rotarians
Week 11,Sep 12 – 16: Everyone likes to be recognized for a job well done. It’s always nice when the President of the club gives appreciation for a job well done. As a club member you should always be ready with a sincere thanks and a warm handshake. There is no such thing as too much praise especially when it is given sincerely. Give thanks when you catch someone doing a good job. It will be appreciated.
When Rotarians know they are appreciated they stay Rotarians.
Week 12 – September 19-23: Be proud of the fact that you belong to the world’s greatest service organization. Rotary is well respected. When you wear your pin you tell the world that you are special, you abide by a code of ethics, The Four Way Test. You are recognized as a business leader. Wearing your pin can give you the opportunity to meet the most fascinating people in an elevator or at the airport.
Always wear your Rotary pin.
Week 13 - September 26-30 Who is a mentor? The person who agrees to shepherd a new member thought their first year of Rotary. A mentor welcomes them at meetings, introduces them to other members, sits with them and encourages them to join in activities and to be active on a committee. In other word help them get involved. Educates them on what Rotary is and how it functions.
Be a mentor; help a new member learn about Rotary
Week 14 – October 3-7: Public Relations – At every fund raising event have a booth or at least a table that promotes the club, its service to the local community and international projects. Have handouts that tell that Rotary is one the largest international humanitarian service organization in the world. Rotary promotes world peace and understanding. Let the community know the Rotary Club of ______is looking for a few good men and women to become members.
Help create a club brochure that tells your club’s Rotary story
Week 15 – October 10-14: We are now three months into the Rotary year. How many people have you invited to a meeting? Look around your community; we must all be ready to communicate the benefits of Rotary. Many times that potential member is right in front of us, too close for us to see – the hotel catering manager, the consultant that works at home, co-workers, the franchise owner or your partner or spouse.
Don’t be stingy - Share Rotary!
Week 16 – October 17-21: Have an party after work on Friday evening – low key, pot luck, at someone’s house. It’s a great way to have your spouse, partner or guest meet those involved in Rotary and hear what Rotary is doing currently in the community and have fun. The more you know about our club’s members the more you will want to work with them on projects. Perhaps those guests will also want to join in, helping on community projects – be sure to invite them to participate.
Fellowship is the foundations of Rotary.
Week 17 – October 24–28: Be proud of being a Rotarian, wear your pin, and help your club have a good public image. Rotarians are business and professional leaders from around the world who are committed volunteers. There are over 1.2 million Rotary members worldwide who belong to 33,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographic areas. It is truly an honor to belong to this organization.
Be proud that you have been chosen to be a Rotarian.
Week 18 – October 31-November4: Bring someone into Rotary that can help you do what you do in Rotary. When it’s fund raising time or Community project time we look for help with that area for which we are responsible. By bring in a new member we have additional help with the tasks that need to be accomplished. It will also build goodwill and better friendship.
Share the job and let everyone have fun
Week 19 – November 7-11: November is Rotary Foundation month, when we are all asked to give - Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY). Rotary Membership is the foundation of Rotary - without Rotarians there would be no Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians “Do Good in the World”
Week 20 – November 14–18: Have new members assigned to a committee that plan their own fund raising and/or club social event. This has worked well in larger, older clubs, new members can plan an event that everyone can help with or it can be exclusively theirs. It will give them ownership of a project.
Remember a Rotarian that is involved stays a Rotarian.
Week 21 – November 21–25: (U.S.A.) Thanksgiving is a time for all of us to give thanks to that person that sponsored us into Rotary. At this week’s meeting shake their hand and thank them for this wonderful opportunity they have given you. Have you sponsored someone into Rotary? If not, make that your next Rotary project. Thank you for being a Rotarian.
Happy Thanksgiving
Week 22 – November 28–December 2: Rotary opportunities abound. Leadership training and possibilities exist at the club and District level. Rotary Fellowships are where like-minded folks gather to talk about their profession or favorite hobby/interest. Participate in Community service, international travel, meeting and entertaining GSE team members and Fellowship activities.
Enjoy what Rotary has to offer.
Week 23 – December 5–9: Do you know a young professional? Bring them to a meeting or create a list and bring a group of young professionals to a meeting. Like ages attract, make your program one that is of interest to them. Then turn around and ask several of them to be a program at a future meeting. Recruit, recruit!!!
Expose your club to a younger point of view
Week 24 – December 12–16: Rotary meetings can be a wonderful opportunity to train the future leaders of your club. Create mini leadership training, teach the organization of your District, have a Rotary information meeting at least once per month, let a new and seasoned Rotarian team up to research and give a program.Have new members introduce speakers (give them written guidelines)
Leadership training now, will build Rotary’s future
Week 25 – December 19–23: Has your club or District sponsored Ambassadorial scholars and Group Study Exchange Teams? Have they returned to your area and given a program at your club? Remember you gave them a wonder opportunity. Invite them to your meetings and recruit, recruit.
Alumni know Rotary so interest them in membership.
Week 26 – December 26–30: Why not create a program on the Rotary Peace Fellow program centered at six universities through out the world? Show your membership how Rotary is working every day to bring conflict resolution and peace to the world. May there be peace in your community, in your District and in the world.
Happy Holidays - relax and enjoy.
Week 27 – January 2–6: Have a new member education program, call it a fireside chat or a new member assembly, make it part of the induction process into your club. Invite new members and their partners to an evening of Rotary education; highlight one or two avenues of service. Give them the knowledge that will make them want to stay in Rotary.
Educate and Retain Members
Week 28 – January 9 –13: We are six months into the Rotary year;are we on the plus side of membership? The RI President has set a goal for each club, an increase of net one new member per club. That means retaining current members and bringing in one more new member then you started with, sounds easy doesn’t it? Of course it’s easy; all of us know one person in your community who would make a good Rotarian.
Go into your community and find that new member.
Week 29 – January 16-20: Passion – “a strong feeling about one subject”. Sometimes it takes a Rotarian a long time to find his or her passion. It could be The Rotary Foundation, International projects, Community Service, GSE or the Youth Exchange Program. Have a Rotarian talk about their personal passion and why it means so much to them. Passionate people get involved and involve others.
Remember Rotarians love to share what they value in Rotary
.
Week 30 – January 23-27: When was the last time your club had a picture in the newspaper? We all know that we do great things in our communities and the world; does your clubget the recognition that it deserves? Get the story out to the public and let them know why Rotary is the leading service club in the world. People like to belong to a successful recognized organization.
Snap that photo for Rotary recognition.
Week 31 – January 30 – February 3: Every club hasits traditions; write them down and share them with the membership. It will jog the memory of the older Rotarians and will help the newer member better understand the workings of the club. Some of those traditions go back many years.Invite newer members to create new traditions. Why not have a long time Rotarian and a newer member work on the project together.
Traditions are part of a club’s history.
Week 32 – February 6–10: As part of your new member orientation process invite them to select a club committee. This will get them involved and give them a great education about what the club does and how it functions. They will also meet more of their fellow members. Encourage every member to be on at least two committees.
Remember an involved Rotarian stays in Rotary.
Week 33 – February 13–17: Now is the time to have a social and invite the Rotary Partners and have fun together. Make Valentines Day a special event - a lunch, dinner or a social evening. Rotary Partners’ support of Rotary is vital to our organization. Show your appreciation for the support they giveto their Rotarian as well as the time they spend working on Rotary projects.
A special Happy Valentines to our Rotary Partners, our Family of Rotary.
Week 34 – February 20-24: Havea classification hunt. List all the classifications of the members that you have in your club today. Look in the phone book and list those classifications that you don’t have. Form teams and make it a contest to see who can invite people with the classifications that are lacking to your next club meeting. Diversification of your club will make it a richer club – a bigger, better and bolder club!
Go on a treasure hunt for those new classifications.
Week 35 – February 27 – March 2: The rule of “85” gives a break to the older Rotarian. The rule is this; take your age (Rotarian must be at least 65 years of age to qualify) and add the number of years you have been in Rotary, 70 years of age and 15 years in Rotary = 85. What does this mean? It means that you can be counted as a club member but for attendance purposes you are not counted. You must petition the club board and request this status change. This helps if you want to travel or have some health challenges. It is completely voluntary.
Age (at least 65 years) + Rotary years = 85 = excused attendance.
Week 36 – March 5-9: Stop a moment … think about that one person that you know would be a good Rotarian. Invite them to your next meeting; give them the opportunity to sample what Rotary is all about.
Every Rotarian - Every Year - One New Member.
Week 37 – March 12–16: Like any good relationship, one must continue to put an effort into keeping it alive and exciting. Membership is like that. It’s March already and the Rotary year is drawing to a close. We all need to continue to seek new members for they are what will keep our clubs alive and exciting.