Attracting New Members

ATTRACTING NEW MEMBERS 

Proposals for attracting new members by way of a Satellite Group. (March 2014).

Potential New Section of Witney Rotary Club

Club Services Committee has considered how our Club can continue to grow and at the same time bring in more, and probably younger, members. We recognise that the younger generation works and communicates differently and has different priorities and constraints from us and this needs to be taken into account. Having reviewed how High Wycombe and Maidenhead Bridge Clubs have achieved this we believe the way to attract new members, particularly the young professionals, is to:.

1. Establish a new section of the Club (NS) within which members can meet when and where they wish. For instance Maidenhead Bridge meet at the weekend, HW on an evening.
2. NS Members, who will be considered and treated the same as members of the main Club, can organise their activities as they wish, within the Objects of Rotary.
3. NS Members can determine how formal/informal they wish their proceedings to be and how often they meet, for how long and if a meal is included.
4. They will however be required to have a Chairperson within their own group.
5. NS Members will pay the same Rotary subscription but can determine the other  costs of membership so that a lower cost base can be adopted if required.
6. Members of the main club will be able to attend meetings, as long as numbers are reasonable.
7. Because NS members are likely to have young families they can involve their families in Rotary activities as they wish. 
8. NS members, who can attend any main Club meetings, will also be invited to special events such as the Presidents Dinner.

Issues to be discussed later

1. The level of autonomy of the NS to ensure compatibility with Club procedures to ensure that the good standing of the Club is not compromised.
2. NS members may have its own fund raising and community service activities. Main club members can however participate in these and the NS members will be invited to participate in main Club activities
3. NS responsibilities such as Secretary and Treasurer may be shared with the main Club..
4. The detail of the processes such as budgeting, expenditure, event management etc to be adopted by the new section.

Other comments.

1. NS allows individuals from other backgrounds and ages to join Rotary 
2. Should the NS be successful and grow it may become a separate Witney club.
3. The format suggested should not impact adversely on Burford and Windrush Valley Club

The Committee invites existing Club members to consider this 'embryo' proposal before Club Services takes this forward. The next steps will then be to formulate a plan to bring the proposal to fruition. It is envisaged that there will be regular reports to club members as the plans are developed to ensure this is in accordance with members wishes.

A Farmer

On behalf of Club Services

10 Mar 2014'