Forming A Satellite Club

Opening a Satellite Club is a very satisfying project. It expands your Rotary horizons. It re-invigorates your club and its members. It enables your club to extend Rotary membership to new sections of society. It shows to the outside world that your club is dynamic, relevant, diverse and ready to take on the challenges of modern society.

What Is A Satellite Club?

• A new club spun off from a sponsor club
• A club with flexibility from day 1
• A club not tied to traditions
• A transitional step to becoming an independent club
  

Why Form A Satellite Club?

• It is the chance to both create and revive Rotary in a local area
• It enables members to enjoy the benefits of Rotary from an initial much smaller base instead of having to wait to form a brand new club
• It attracts and gives opportunities to new members who may not be able to attend parent club meeting times/dates
• A sponsor Rotary Club that is struggling to find new members or is ageing could eventually become the satellite of the original satellite club thus helping retain Rotary's presence in the local area through the growth of a vigorous new club

Satellite Club - Basic Principles

• Has the flexibility to meet, where, when and how they like
• Has the opportunity to attract a diverse membership
• Forms a club that all members want
• May well decide on an informal meeting format
• May meet for shorter times than traditional clubs and not have meals
• Club is likely to be project focussed rather than having formal meetings
• It reflects lifestyle needs of the younger generation (e.g. meeting at “family friendly times” at weekends)
• Likely to meet at a low cost venue
  

Satellite Club - Essentials

• Needs “Buy-in” from the sponsor club members
• Needs a “Champion” from the Mother club mentor/encourage new satellite club activities and membership
• Sponsor club must have 20 or more members

•  8 potential members required to register a satellite club but 4 new members can start the ball rolling as a satellite "group"
• Sponsor club applies to district once 8 members identified/committed - “registers” satellite (Rotary GB&I Registration Form 0917)
• The satellite club should aim for a full programme of "activities" – projects, social events, meetings
• Once established - aim for at least one "activity" every fortnight
• Ensure members have full participation in at least 12 "activities" in each six month period
• Club should ensure good management as set out in the standard Rotary GB&I club constitution and bylaws 

Useful Information Available: 

(1) Satellite Club Formation - A quick guide

(2) Satellite Clubs FAQs

(3) Satellite Club Registration Form 0917  

(4) Satellite Club Member Information Form en218

For more information please email membership@rotarysoutheast.org