GATEWAYS FOR GROWTH Adapted for Rotary Clubs by Dr. Jimmie D. Brewer 1

THE GATEWAYS  Two gateways for growth:  Gateway #1 - READINESS  Gateway #2 - CAPACITY  Readiness = The Power of a “Growth Cycle”  Capacity = Expanding the “Social Space” 2

GATEWAY 1 - READINESS THE POWER OF A “GROWTH CYCLE” 3

Every Living Thing, System, & Organization has a Natural Life Cycle. 4

BIRTHDEATH The Life Cycle 5

THREE PHASES OF A LIFE CYCLE  Growth Cycle  Plateau Cycle  Decline Cycle 6

Potential The Growth Cycle Begins at “Birth” Purpose and Vision Constant Care & Protection BIRTH GROWTH BEGINS 7

Early Growth Period BIRTH GROWTH SPEEDS UP Lots of Celebration Progress Energy and Excitement 8

Mature Growth Period BIRTH GROWTH SLOWS POSITIVE Vitality Health Strength 9

“DNA” OF A GROWING CLUB 1/2  New members - central to its mission  Membership a core value & priority of the club  Club has a spirit of life, vibrancy, and health  Vision & strategic goals - with member input  Members involved and informed  Stable leadership year to year  Bylaws customized to reflect club operations 10

“DNA” OF A GROWING CLUB 2/2  Regular fellowship & relationship opportunities  Regular, consistent training  Structure that supports the club’s needs  Sees Rotary as a benefit to members  Strong support for president  Members feel important, fulfilled, & appreciated  A democracy – where all members important 11

The Plateau Cycle – Stable Years BIRTH STABILITY – GROWTH STOPS Accomplishment Predictability Fulfillment 12

Plateau Cycle Forever? – Impossible STABILITY – NO GROWTH Living Happily Ever After - Only in Fairy Tales! 13

We Have Reached Our “Right Size” No More Chairs – Just Us 14

The Plateaued Club – Grow or Decline! When Plateaued Seek input from members Leadership address issues INTROSPECTION - Open and Honest “Ignite” a new growth cycle 15

NEGATIVE GROWTH The Decline Cycle DEATH Life-Threatening Decline Serious Decline THREE STAGES Early Decline 16

The Declining Club When Declining: Early – Greater decline = Greater Challenge Accurately – Do not make excuses INTERVENE Aggressively – Decline = first stage of death 17

It is the nature of club decline to deny the decline as long as possible, to underestimate the decline, and then to under respond. Declining clubs tend to — Ignore the club “cold” Treat club “pneumonia” with aspirin Embalm with penicillin A CLUB CAN BREAK THE CYCLE OF DECLINE! 18

Recognize the Characteristics of Decline Fear Denial Paranoia Conflict Anxiety 19

There is no gain for underestimating decline. — There is no penalty for overestimating decline. 20

“IGNITE” YOUR CLUB FOR GROWTH NEW GROWTH CYCLE Lots of Celebration Progress Energy and Excitement THIS IS GATEWAY FOR GROWTH #1 21

GATEWAY 2 – CAPACITY EXPANDING THE “SOCIAL SPACE” 22

REMEMBER  Growth only occurs during a growth cycle!  Unlike living creatures – a club does not have to decline.  Adjusting for normal “dips” – a club can stay in a growth cycle. Major reason for not staying in a growth cycle: FAILURE TO EXPAND THE “SOCIAL SPACE” 23

WHAT IS EXPANDING “SOCIAL SPACE?”  Making “space” for each member  Creating opportunities for each member  Engaging and involving all members  Respecting the contributions of each member THIS REQUIRES A CLUB TO CONTINUE TO: EXPAND ITS CAPACITY TO ENGAGE ALL MEMBERS THROUGH ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 24

What Is Organizational Development?  Organizational development: Maturity - “Professionalizing” the club Diversity - Expanding the “circle” Structure - Adjusting for member engagement Inclusive - Broadening the club “perspectives” Contemporary - Best practices Going from an informal club to a leading organization in the community. 25

The “Social Space” of Club Types  Small One-Cell Club Capacity at 30 members  Large One-Cell Club Capacity at 70 members  Multiple Cell Club Capacity 70+ to unlimited members 26

Small One-Cell Club  Anthropology – Clan  Business – Mom and Pop Store  Transportation – A Small Van 27

The Rotary Club Van 28

Profile – Small One-Cell Club  Like a close knit family (homogenous)  Leadership and club style are usually informal  Strong “matriarchs/patriarchs” - real power  Usually more conservative and inward focus  Club feels “stretched” at 30 members  Lack of “emotional room”  Gateway – Expand capacity to Large One-Cell through ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 29

Large One-Cell Club  Anthropology – Village  Business – Local Owned Department Store  Transportation – A Bus 30

The Rotary Club Bus 31

Profile – Large One-Cell Club 1/2  Club is more complex structure  More planning, risking-taking, & outward focus  More committees and groups for involvement  More democratic in club style  More diversity in the club 32

Profile – Large One-Cell Club 2/2  “Elders” – respected, but dwindling power  President more leadership prominence  More delegation to committee and project heads  More “social space” or “emotional room”  But at about 70 – club feels stretched  Gateway – Expand capacity to Multiple-Cell through ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 33

Multiple-Cell Club  Anthropology – Incorporated Town  Business – Department Store Chain  Transportation – A Train 34

The Rotary Club Train 35

Profile – Multiple-Cell Club  Club is a complex and diverse organization  Stable board and leadership  Training for club leadership  Playbook for committees – who are very active  Members find most fulfillment in action groups  Very proactive and outwardly focused  Club president - an administrator and motivator  Growth by expanding smaller units 36

GATEWAYS FOR GROWTH SUMMARY  Readiness for Growth If plateaued or declining: o “Ignite” your club into a new growth cycle.  Capacity for Growth If in a growth cycle: o Continue to develop, mature, and diversify through organizational development. o Expand your social space so that all members can be engaged. 37

GATEWAYS FOR GROWTH 38 This presentation can be downloaded at: JDBrewerConsulting.com (Resource Page)

39