Developing a Membership Strategy

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Developing a Membership Strategy


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Developing strategic plans for membership growth ...

 

DEVELOPING A MEMBERSHIP

STRATEGY

 

A membership development plan outlines your club’s objectives and strategies for retention and recruitment.  By implementing a plan, you will be able to measure your progress and identify areas for improvement.

What follows below are some steps that you can use to developing a membership development plan for your club.  It is a summary of the Rotary International documentStrengthening Your Membership-Creating Your Membership Development Plan  2015.

 You can download this document by clicking on the Resources link.

 

 You can use this information with the Club Assessment Tools document from the Resources section.

You can also use the other pages on this site, in particular How To Recruit New Members and How To Retain New Members.

    

These are your pages, so if you have ideas on developing a membership strategy, please share them. You can click on the link at the bottom of this page.

The document is divided into six chapters.

 1.      Evaluating Your Club

2.      Creating a Vision For Your Club

3.      Attracting New Members

4.      Engaging Your Club’s Members

5.      Mentoring New Clubs

6.      Resources and Tools

  

1.  Evaluating Your Club

Carrying out a club assessment is an important first step in a membership development plan.  Evaluating your club can provide you with an accurate picture of your club, which can in turn help you identify areas you may wish to improve on and set objectives around recruitment and retention.

Through surveys and discussions with members, non-members and potential members, you can gain an overall picture of your club.

Obtain their views and be open to making changes. 

Here are some questions that you can ask during your evaluation.

1. Is your club diverse?

Does your club reflect the demographics of the community it serves? Diverse clubs are more effective and have more credibility in their communities.

What is the gender balance?

How many members are under the age of forty?

Is the ethnic makeup of your community represented in your club.

2. Is your club balanced across all classifications?      

Does your club have a wide range of professions, occupations and community service leaders?  The classification list can help you identify potential members. 

3. Can you work out your club’s membership viability and growth?

Knowing how long members stay in your club can help you identify strengths and weaknesses in your membership development plan.  You can see membership patterns by going to Rotary Club Central to look at data and reports from several years.

4. How can you create a member termination profile?

Knowing how long members stay in your club can help you identify strengths and weaknesses in your membership development plan. The termination profile in Membership Assessment Tools groups members according to the length of their membership.

5. Is your club innovative and flexible?

Surveys consistently show that prospective members and younger members are more likely to stay with Rotary if they believe that their club is willing to accommodate their interests, as well as their work, family, and personal needs. Ask yourself if your activities and traditions reflect current interests and what could be changed to make your club more relevant to prospective members. Consider changing meeting times and locations, lowering fees, undertaking a variety of service projects, and planning different kinds of projects and ways of conducting club meetings.

6. Is there a strong awareness of your club in your community?

Is your club widely known in your community? When your community thinks about your Rotary club, what do they think? Consider inviting Rotary prospects to a project to interact with your members and learn more about your club and its work in the community. Research indicates that people are more likely to give time and money to an organization with a proven record of tangible results. Make sure your club regularly communicates with the public about its community service projects to attract both donations and new members.

7. Does your club use social media to promote your club?

Does your club have a website? A Facebook page? Are they regularly updated? Are you tweeting about your club’s special events and signature projects? Are you interacting online with Rotary members around the world, as well as people and organizations that share your interests? Have you joined any conversations on LinkedIn?

The District 1230 Membership Task Force can assist you in setting up and improving your website, a Facebook Page, a Twitter account etc

8. Have your evaluated your club from the perspective of a guest?

Before the meeting

Is it easy for a visitor to find basic information about your club’s next meeting? Ask a friend or family member to try to locate the following information about your club:

• When does your club meeting start?

• Where exactly is the meeting?

• Is there someone in the club that a visitor should contact before a visit?

• Is there a cost to the visitor for attending?

• Is a meal included?

• What will the meeting be like?

• When does the meeting end?

If it is not easy to find this information on your Facebook page or website or through Rotary’s Club Finder, you may be missing the chance to connect with prospective members.

At the meeting

Review your club meeting to make certain that it is a welcoming and fun experience:

• Does someone welcome members and guests when they arrive?

• Do meetings begin and end in a timely fashion?

• Is there an agenda for the meeting?

• Are the speakers interesting, insightful, and relevant?

• Is there sufficient variety in speakers and meeting topics?

• Is socializing among members encouraged?

• Do you always have the same kind of meeting?

9. Are your service projects relevant, inspiring and enjoyable?

Review your service projects. Are they inspiring and enjoyable for everyone involved?

• Does your club have an exciting signature service project that all members are involved in?

• Does your club invite non members (friends, family, colleagues, Rotary alumni, Rotaractors, and other community members) to participate in your service projects and learn more about your club?

• Do your service projects address a current need in your community, as well as suit the interests of your members?

• Do your club members meet the people that benefit from their service?

Focus groups

Every club is different, and the needs of your community are unique. Focus groups are a useful tool for meeting with non-Rotarian members of your community, introducing them to Rotary, and obtaining helpful feedback on how your club can become even better.

Hiring an outside professional to conduct the focus group increases the likelihood that the results will be unbiased. Some clubs have even asked an agency to donate this service. If having an outside professional conduct a focus group is not possible, it is important to make sure that the facilitator can be open-minded and objective. Here are some steps that can get you started:

Step 1: issue an invitation

Compose a list of community members that you would like to invite. Aim to create a diverse group of men and women that includes varying ages and professions. Invite prospective members as well as Rotaractors, Rotary alumni, and others who know a little about Rotary. Tell them why you are inviting them to your focus group and make sure they know how valuable their opinions are to your efforts to shape future projects and activities.

Step 2: create the environment

Once you have invited your participants, work on creating an environment in which people feel free to speak candidly. The question-and-answer session should be relaxed, more like a discussion among friends than a formal survey. Spend a few minutes introducing yourself, recounting how you got involved in Rotary, and explaining why you’ve been looking forward to the focus group.

Ask the participants to introduce themselves. Encourage them to mention anything they would like in their introductions, such as their profession, how long they’ve lived in the community, or whether they’re currently involved in any professional or service groups.

Step 3: have the conversation

Be ready with an agenda. It may have just 10 questions you’d like to cover. The best way to prepare is to think of questions that cannot be answered with a yes or a no:

• What attracted you to this community?

• If you had one extra hour per day to give away, how would you spend it?

• What problems do you see in our community? What could members of the community do to address that problem?

• If you could help any part of the world, in any way you like, what would you do?

• What are your impressions of Rotary?

• What positive and negative perceptions of Rotary do others have?

Be sure to give everyone a chance to speak, and try not to let a few people dominate the conversation. Tell participants how helpful it is to you and your club to get many opinions from the group. It is important that questions not lead participants to specific responses, and the facilitator must remain neutral. Do call on people who are specially quiet if they look like they want to comment, but take care not to make anyone feel uncomfortable.

 Step 4: share the results

Prepare your top five findings from the focus group’s discussion. You might present this information during a club meeting, conduct a brainstorming session, and provide your club with a one-page summary for reference. When you present the findings, you can discuss the focus group’s ideas and plan events that would interest prospective members. Show your members, too, that you value their thoughts and opinions, and that one person can make a difference.

 2. Creating a vision for your club

After you determine the current state of your club by completing the evaluations in chapter 1, your next step is to discuss and formulate a vision for your club. Creating a vision means deciding what you want your club to be like in three to five years. Taking the time to create a vision can make your club strong, active, and attractive to new members. Involving club members in this process gives them a sense of ownership in their club, an understanding of the club’s goals for the future, and motivation to work together to achieve those goals.

Consider these questions as you develop your club’s vision:

·         What is your club good at? How can you capitalize on that?

·         What are your club’s areas of weakness?

·         What would you like your club to be known for?

·         How do the challenges and strengths of your club shape your strategic priorities?

·         What are your short-term and long-term goals?

·         Do you have plans in place to help you reach those goals?

·      Do you have a strategic team that monitors the progress of your strategic plan and makes    recommendations as needed?

Once you have agreed on an ideal vision for your club, the strategic planning process will determine how you can reach that vision. The Strategic Planning Guide can help your club articulate or modify its vision. It will also help you in setting long-term and annual goals.

3. Attracting new members

Every club needs new members in order to be vibrant and active. New members introduce new ideas, bring fresh perspectives, and extend your club’s reach in the community.

After completing membership assessments from chapter 1 and creating a vision for the future of your club in chapter 2, the next step is to develop strategies for addressing the most critical elements identified in your assessment. For many, it will be attracting new members to the club. Draw on your club’s strengths and recognise the challenges you identified through the diversity and classification assessments as you think about recruitment strategies.

Who are your prospective members?

Who are the prospective members in your community? In addition to friends, neighbors, and business acquaintances, other groups could be a good fit for your club. For example, consider non-member volunteers who have participated in your service projects, those who have indicated an interest in your club but never joined, and former members who’ve left your club or another club in the area. Members often leave for a short time but will return once they are invited. Consider young professionals who have participated in Rotary’s programs, such as former Group Study Exchange or vocational training team members, Ambassadorial Scholars, Rotary Peace Fellows, and Rotaractors, as well as the parents and grandparents of Interactors, RYLA participants, and Rotary Youth Exchange students. Youth Exchange host families may also include prospective members.

Once a year, ask club members to complete the survey to identify prospective members in Membership Assessment Tools. This simple activity asks members to think about people they know in the community who might be good club members.

Use the survey results to talk with members about your club’s culture and whether these prospective members would be a good fit. Are their jobs located in the area? Is the club’s meeting time convenient for them? Do they exhibit the characteristics of leaders? Do they differ from current club members in ways that would bring some diversity to your membership? A thoughtful selection process can mean the difference between inducting a short-term, inactive member and finding a lifelong, committed, engaged Rotarian.

If you find a promising person but learn that your meeting time or location, for example, is not a good fit, recommend him or her to another Rotary club.

Remember, even if the prospective members you identify do not join, it’s worthwhile to engage them as volunteers, donors, or simply friends of your club.

How do you approach a prospective member?

Potential members may be your friends, business acquaintances, Rotaractors, or Rotary alumni, including former Youth Exchange participants. They could also be family members, or even someone you’ve just met.

Keep your message simple. Don’t try to tell prospective members everything there is to know about Rotary before they’ve attended a club meeting or taken part in a service project. Try starting the conversation by explaining how Rotary has had a meaningful impact on your life, career, or friendships. While facts and figures are useful, personal experiences and stories connect people on an emotional level. Once you’ve told your story, ask them what they would look for in a Rotary club. They may be most interested in making new friends, taking action on a specific community issue, or developing professional networks. Once you know what they’re looking for, you can show how your Rotary club can fill that need.

Think about what kind of event your prospective members would enjoy. Some people might be more comfortable attending a club meeting or social event, while others might prefer to learn about Rotary by working on a service project or participating in a fundraiser.

How do you communicate the benefits of joining your club?

In talking to prospective members, do you consider their interests and needs when you are explaining the benefits of Rotary membership? Here are some popular benefits that Rotary members worldwide have associated with being a part of a Rotary club

  •   Making a positive impact on one’s community through service projects

·         Establishing business connections and lasting friendships

·         Developing professional skills, such as event planning, public speaking, and fundraising,    or finding a mentor

·      Including family members in service projects and events and getting children involved in  youth programs in the community or abroad

·         Creating a global network of friends, especially when traveling

             

The following scenarios show how you can use a prospective member’s interests as a starting point for introducing Rotary.

Community service

A member of your community is regularly featured in the news for his community service activities. Invite him and other volunteers he may work with to join your next service project, bringing their ideas and experience. The extra help will allow you to make a greater difference, and the people you meet may be good prospective members.

Friendship and connections

Your colleague has recently retired and is feeling a bit isolated. Explain to her how membership in Rotary has kept you active in your community, connected you with business leaders, taught you about topics you wouldn’t encounter elsewhere, and resulted in lasting friendships. Invite her to your club’s next social event, community service activity, or meeting.

Family involvement

Your neighbor is looking for ways to involve his children in activities that have a positive impact. Tell him how Rotary members involve their families in club activities and explain how Rotary supports students through scholarships and opportunities to travel abroad for cultural exchanges.

International focus

A member of your community is looking to increase her charitable contributions and participate in some international service. Tell her how Rotary clubs around the world connect to provide clean water, health care, education, and more.

How can you educate a prospective member?

Studies have shown that members who join a club without some knowledge of Rotary are more likely to leave within a year or two. It is important to educate prospective members on what it’s like to be a member of your club before they join. Hold information sessions to give prospective members an opportunity to learn about your club’s activities and the benefits of membership. Ask several club members to share their experiences to give prospective members a sense of your club’s culture. Don’t assume that prospective members who are Rotaractors, peace fellows, or Rotary alumni know everything about Rotary just because they are part of the family of Rotary. They may not know very much about your club, its culture, or its signature projects. Be sure to tell them about dues, meeting times, how new members are sponsored, and how they can expect to be involved.

How would you refer prospective members?

If you know someone who is qualified to be a great Rotarian but unable to join your club, refer him or her to another club. If the club is in your area, you may wish to take him or her to the meeting for a personal introduction. If you are unsure which club would be the best fit and the prospective member lives in your district, contact your district membership chair or district governor for assistance.

You can also refer a potential member at www.rotary.org /membershipreferral and Rotary International will facilitate the connection. Your district governor or district membership chair may also give your club referrals from other Rotary members, Rotarian relocation assistance requests, or membership inquiries received through Rotary.org.

How can my club create a diverse membership?

In chapter 1, you learned why having a diverse club is important, and you completed a membership diversity assessment. Here are some tips for attracting young professionals and women, two types of members that many clubs are interested in reaching.

10 ideas for attracting younger professionals

Adding younger members is essential to the future of your club. However, younger professionals often have hectic schedules, family obligations, and financial limitations that make it difficult for them to commit to Rotary. Make club membership more attractive and more feasible for younger members:

1.       Waive or reduce fees for a period.

2.    Create a satellite club with an alternate meeting time or format that is more convenient for  prospective members with young families. Consider a Saturday morning meeting or a satellite  e-club.

3.   Reduce meal expenses or make meals optional. Consider bringing pastries to a meeting,  organizing a potluck, or having everyone take turns bringing the food or beverages.

4.  Create social and networking activities that are interesting and convenient for younger  professionals.

5.       Invite groups of younger people to join at the same time to make them feel more comfortable.

6.      Create a club environment that is accepting of absences. Perfect attendance is typically not       attainable for today’s professionals. This may require some changes in your club’s traditions     or policies.

7.       Highlight opportunities to get involved in local community service.

8.       Assign a veteran Rotarian to serve as a mentor to make a new young member feel welcome.   For information on mentoring, see New Member Orientation: A How-to Guide for Clubs.

9.    Get them involved. Young professionals are creative and eager to generate new ideas for      solving persistent problems.

10.   Offer variety. Talk about the various ways new members can participate in Rotary. Find out         about their abilities and interests, and find ways to put them to use in your club’s work.

Women in Rotary

According to a 2013 demographic survey of Rotary, 19 percent of Rotarians worldwide are women. In many regions, the percentage is much lower. Rotary research indicates that men and women join Rotary for the same reasons: to make a difference in their communities and to make personal connections. If your club’s membership is less than 50 percent women, increasing the number of women will bring a different perspective to your club, create a membership that better reflects the demographics of your community, and expand the power and scope of your service projects.

Getting demographic data

For your region’s demographic data, including gender and age, see your regional trends supplement at www.rotary.org/membership-resources.

What materials are available to help you promote your club?

Help club members find materials and resources for sharing Rotary with prospective members by adding a resource tab to your club website or Facebook page. In addition to your club’s resources, you might be able to use these items, produced by Rotary:

Brand Center

Create brochures and posters customised with your club’s information to showcase the work that you are doing in your community or to hand out when hosting prospective members at meetings

What’s Rotary?

Cards, from shop.rotary.org, to give to people you speak to about Rotary

Proud Member window clings

Hang in your car, home, or office, also available at shop.rotary.org

How can you honor members who strengthen your membership?

Recognise members who work hard to expand your club by bringing in new members. The New Member Sponsor Recognition Program is an exciting initiative that honors Rotary members who sponsor new members with a specially designed membership pin. A current member who sponsors one new member receives a recognition pin with a blue backer, and as additional members are sponsored, new colored backers are awarded to signify the sponsor’s achievement. After receiving the pins, present them at your club meeting to highlight your member’s achievement and acknowledge the importance of increasing your club’s membership.

Do you want to honor your members in a different way? Develop your own club award, or think of another recognition method that is unique and fun for your club members.

4. Engaging your club’s members

Attracting new members to your club is crucial, but do not underestimate the importance of keeping existing members. Whether your club is rich in new members, established members, or both, your membership plan should seek to fully engage all of them. Engaged members participate in club activities, meetings, events, projects, and club leadership. They also feel a strong attachment to their clubs because they enjoy the friendships and fellowship that come with being a Rotarian. They are motivated to put extra effort into club activities and projects and are proud to tell others about the impressive work their clubs are doing.

Engaging existing members

What if you thought of your members as your best customers? What keeps them coming back? Think of your members as customers and work hard to deliver an experience that keeps them engaged and excited about Rotary. It is well known that engaged members are more likely to stay with your club, so be sure to show your appreciation regularly and make sure that they have a variety of options for getting involved and staying active in your club:

 

·  Make members feel appreciated by recognizing their achievements and celebratory occasions, such as club membership milestones, work promotions, or birthdays.

·      Develop a formalized mentoring program for involved members to support less active or     new members.

·       Get regular feedback from members to confirm that they are experiencing the benefits they were promised when they joined.

·         Encourage them to serve on committees that suit their skills or interests.

·         Give members a clear sense of your club’s long-range goals and mission.

·         Invite them to attend a district conference or seminar.

·         Keep a list of service projects, and have members take turns leading projects that interest  them.

·         Poll members on their interests and schedule speakers who are stimulating and inspiring.

·     Feature photographs of your members at recent club projects and events on your club  website and Facebook page and in newsletters to recognize their contributions.

·         Update members regularly on progress toward club goals as a way to build loyalty, pride, and an understanding of the need for long-term involvement.

Everyone’s opinion counts

Interviewing club members — especially those who are leaving — can yield useful information to aid your retention efforts. Ask departing members to complete the resigning member questionnaire in Membership Assessment Tools to help your club prevent such losses in the future. Often, a personal conversation between the exiting member and a member he or she trusts can bring out additional information that is beneficial for club planning.

If departing members are relocating or leaving your club because of schedule conflicts but would like to continue being Rotarians, have them complete relocation forms or refer them yourself to other clubs that might be able to accommodate them.

The membership satisfaction questionnaire in Membership Assessment Tools is designed to identify what club members like most about your club as well as what they believe could be improved. Ask members to complete the survey, and share the results at a future club meeting. Discuss the findings with your club members, talk with them about changes that can be made, and involve them in implementing those changes.

Communicate with your club

Research shows that keeping members informed and up-to-date can increase a club’s overall retention rate. Establish a communication plan to determine what you want to share with members and how. Club e-newsletters, websites, and social media pages are useful communication tools. Recognize that different members use different communication tools, and try to offer information using more than one method. Members might enjoy learning about:

·         Club information — projects, activities, news, and events

·         Club financial reports

·         International service opportunities

·         New Rotary publications (and where they can be found)

·         Rotary news highlights

·         Regularly communicate to your club members about:

·         Opportunities to

                     Take on leadership roles

    Attend club assemblies and district-level seminars

    Participate in multidistrict meetings

    Get involved in club and district projects and activities

·         Rotary programs, projects, and activities

·     Special Rotary events, including the Rotary International Convention and district            conference

·         Strategies for recruiting members

·         The goals and initiatives of the club and district membership committees

·         Progress toward membership goals

·         Membership awards and recognition programs

·         Sponsorship of new Rotary clubs

Orienting new members

The moment a person becomes a Rotarian is special for both the member and the club. Whether you choose to mark this event with a special ceremony or induct new members at a weekly club meeting, make sure you acknowledge and celebrate their involvement in Rotary. Invite the inductee’s family, and encourage all club members to participate in welcoming this new member of your Rotary family.

Give new members an understanding of the benefits of membership in your club and the opportunities for service, both in your community and internationally, by organizing a formal orientation program shortly after induction. Include an overview of your club’s recent accomplishments and upcoming projects and activities, and ask how they would like to be involved. Read New Member Orientation: A How-to Guide for Clubs to find ideas for holding memorable induction ceremonies.

New member involvement

Research shows that the more members are involved in Rotary activities, the more committed and connected they become to their fellow members, their club, and the organisation. Ask new members what projects or activities interest them, and give them an active role so they immediately feel a sense of connection to your club. Don’t assume that a new member will be interested in a role that is related to his or her profession. For example, an accountant may not want to keep the books for the club just because it is her area of expertise. She may be looking for a different experience.

Meaningful service projects

A key reason people are drawn to Rotary membership is the promise of work on meaningful service projects in their communities and other parts of the world. Clubs that conduct multiple projects can offer more opportunities for involvement, making members feel that they are contributing to an important effort.

Encourage your club to order Communities in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects to support you in planning, carrying out, and evaluating your service projects. This guide can help you make sure that your club’s projects are effective and address important needs in your community.

Rotary Fellowships and Rotarian Action Groups

New club members might be interested in joining a Rotary Fellowship or Rotarian Action Group, where they can have fun:

·         Sharing common interests or hobbies

·         Working with others in the same profession to make a difference

·         Making friends around the world

·         Exploring new opportunities for service

Learn more about Rotary Fellowships and Rotarian Action Groups on Rotary.org.

Special Rotary events

In addition to weekly club meetings, invite new members to special club, district, and international events:

·         Club assembly

·         District conference

·         District training events

·         District Membership and Rotary Foundation Seminar

·         Rotary institutes

·         Rotary International Convention

Get to know your members

Rotarians value the relationships that are formed within their clubs. This is one of the primary reasons that people stay with Rotary. Encourage members to learn about their fellow members. Make an effort to understand your members’ backgrounds and interests in the following ways:

·         Ask members which upcoming project or activity they are most looking forward to.

·         Interview and introduce a member in each of your newsletters.

·         Involve families in meetings, social activities, and service projects.

·         Ask members to take turns sharing their Rotary moments at your weekly meetings.

Listen to your members and their concerns. Review the membership satisfaction questionnaire in Membership Assessment Tools to be sure that you are actively seeking out their opinions and that their voices are being heard. Take prompt action to address the concerns of your members so that their experience in your club is positive.

Your club membership committee

In order to accomplish all of your membership goals, you will need a strong team to develop and implement your membership development plan. Establishing a club membership committee will allow you to track and execute the strategies outlined in your plan successfully — and involve club members in the endeavor. Club membership committee responsibilities often include:

·         Setting club membership goals for the coming year

·         Informing members about the importance of recruitment and retention

·   Developing an action plan to improve member satisfaction that includes surveying    members and then initiating changes in response to their feedback

·        Conducting club assessments to see that membership development and retention efforts  are successful

·     Working with the public relations committee to create an image of your club that is        attractive to prospective and current members, as well as the community in general

·         Sponsoring newly organised clubs in the district, if applicable

 

5. Mentoring new clubs

 Although the district governor is ultimately responsible for creating new clubs, your club can play a vital role in the process by sponsoring and mentoring a new club. Before undertaking this responsibility, educate your members thoroughly about the process and make sure they are willing to participate.

Sponsor club qualifications

Although a new club isn’t required to have a sponsor club, Rotary strongly recommends it. In selecting a sponsor club, the district governor and district extension team look for a club that:

 

·         Agrees to mentor the new club for at least one year after its admission into Rotary

·         Is in good financial standing with Rotary

·         Has at least 20 active members

·         Maintains a well-rounded program of Rotary service

A new club’s success depends on how well the club is organized and how well it operates in its first few months. After a club receives its charter, the sponsor club acts as a mentor, offering guidance for one to two years. Learn more about the process in Organising New Clubs: A Guide for District Governors and Special Representatives.

Sponsor club responsibilities

·   Assists the district governor’s special representative in planning and organising the  administrative processes of the new club

·    Serves as an adviser to the club’s officers and reports to the district governor as      requested during the club’s first year

·         Familiarises the new club with Rotary’s policies and procedures

·         Organises joint fundraising activities

·        Has the sponsor club’s president join the special representative in attending the first            regular board meeting of the new club

·         Assists the new club in planning programs and projects during its first year

Research indicates that new clubs’ biggest membership losses, as well as most club terminations, occur during the second year. A new club that has the strong support of a sponsor club well into its second year has a greater chance of becoming strong, self-sufficient, and productive.

The mentoring relationship

Sponsor clubs can establish strong, healthy mentoring relationships in these ways:

Set goals with the new club

Honestly examine the challenges and weaknesses that could impede the new club. Once you do, you can help it establish goals that will lead it to success.

Provide structure

Set up regular meetings, complete with agendas, and make sure that each meeting moves the new club toward its goals.

Establish regular communication

Schedule phone calls and meetings with the new club so you can share your advice and guide the club in its early stages.

Club size

Rotary has set some standards for the establishment and sponsoring of new clubs:

·         A new club must have a minimum of 20 charter members, unless there is sufficient reason for the Board to waive this requirement.

·        At least 50 percent of the charter members must reside in the community in which the club  is being established.

·         A sponsor club must have at least 20 members. If two or more clubs act as sponsors, this  requirement applies to only one of them.

6. Supporting your club: Rotary resources and tools

 

Rotary volunteers and staff

The following Rotary volunteers and staff members can answer questions and advise your club on formulating an effective membership development plan. Contact information for Rotary staff and your district’s leaders are on Rotary.org and in the Official Directory. Find your regional coordinators through www.rotary.org/coordinators-advisers.

Regional leader support

Rotary coordinators serve as a resource for districts and clubs and are knowledgeable about all aspects of Rotary, including best practices and innovative strategies for attracting and keeping members, regional membership plans, and the priorities and goals of the Rotary strategic plan.

Rotary public image coordinators can offer guidance and resources for enhancing Rotary’s public image in a way that will support membership in your club.

Regional Rotary Foundation coordinators serve as a resource on all Foundation-related topics, including grants and grant management, fundraising, and programs such as PolioPlus and Rotary Peace Centres.

Endowment/major gifts advisers work with regional and district leaders to develop plans for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts and facilitate events that engage current Foundation supporters and develop prospective ones.

District Membership Development Committee

The district membership development committee identifies, promotes, and implements membership development strategies for the district. The committee chair acts as a liaison between the governor, the Rotary coordinator, RI, and the clubs in the district on membership development issues.

Your assistant governor or district governor has contact information for this committee. If your district doesn’t have a membership development committee, suggest that one be established.

Assistant Governor

Assistant governors can work closely with your club to make it more vibrant and enable it to attract and retain members. Contact your district governor to find out if your district has an assistant governor.

Share your club’s membership goals and successful initiatives with the district committee and your assistant governor. It is just as important for the district to learn about new and effective club-level strategies and tools as it is for you to know about the support and assistance that the district committee can provide you.

Rotary resources

Rotary.org

Get the latest news, announcements, and resources on Rotary’s website, which also offers:

·         Membership resources and publications at www.rotary.org /membership

·         Membership survey results

·         Prospective member, member relocation, and Rotarian referrals

·    Publications (many available as free downloads, others available in print free or for      purchase at shop.rotary.org)

·         Webinars

·         Brand Center

·         Club Finder

·         Contact information for your Club and District Support representative

·         Membership Best Practices discussion group

·         Young Professionals Network

Rotary Club Central

Rotary Club Central is an online tool that club and district leaders use to set and track goals and activities in three key performance areas: membership initiatives, service activities, and Rotary Foundation giving. By using Rotary Club Central as a planning tool and recording your club and district goals, progress, and achievements, you can help RI measure the impact Rotarians are making worldwide.

Club leaders are encouraged to sign in to Rotary.org and enter their data in Rotary Club Central so that club members, as well as the district governor and assistant governor, can see their progress. Members can also use Rotary Club Central to:

·         Donate to The Rotary Foundation

·         Manage subscriptions to Rotary newsletters

·         Take courses to learn more about Rotary

·         Pay dues

Rotary Ideas

Crowdsourcing is a powerful digital strategy that supports the good work of Rotary around the world. Rotary’s own crowdsourcing platform, known as Rotary Ideas and found at ideas.rotary.org, is designed to find Rotary and Rotaract clubs the resources they need for projects. It’s a place where clubs can post their projects or ideas and ask for partners, volunteers, funding, or other support.

Rotary Showcase

Let people know what Rotary is doing in your community by spreading the word through social media. Rotary Showcase allows members of the Rotary family to post club or district service project information — including a description, photos, and video — and publicize it through Facebook and Twitter.

The Learning Centre

Take an online course through the Learning Center at learn.rotary.org. Courses include The New Rotary.org, Strengthen Rotary, Rotary Grants, and How to Run a Webinar, among others. You can create a user profile, track your progress through courses, and print certificates for courses you’ve completed. Each course also has its own online community where registrants can interact with one another and with course moderators. To take a course, sign in to Rotary.org, then choose Learning Center in the Learning and Reference menu. Or go to learn.rotary.org.


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Membership Development

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