Building New Rotary Clubs Converting RI’s Nine Step Process into A District Club Growth Initiative Michael Hayes, ARC Fort Wayne Summit

Nine Steps to Starting a Rotary Club

Steps 1 - 4 Identify a locality for the New Club Get organized Make a Communication Plan Hold informational meetings

Steps 5 - 9 5. Recruit Charter Members 6. Hold Organizational Meetings 7. Submit the New Club Application 8. Celebrate the Charter and Publicize the club 9. Continue Developing the new club

Developing a District New Rotary Club Initiative

Step I – Develop The Plan

Develop the Plan District Membership Chair (DMC) works with District Governor (DG) and District Governor Elect (DGE) to agree on a multiyear plan to develop new clubs

Develop the Plan The Plan will include: G line support for the plan and the DMC A communication strategy internal to the District with delivery methods defined A defined strategy with tactics and assigned responsibilities

Step II - Announce

Announce A Big Announcement: Will generate interest and ideas May cause Rotarians to help or participate Demonstrates commitment to District growth May reduce resistance to change Will help the ADG do their job

Step III Identify Opportunities District Membership Chair

Identify Opportunities The district must embark on a process to identify: New Club opportunities Rotarians and Clubs who want to help

Identify Opportunities Opportunities for New Clubs and Satellite Clubs exist in every District.

Step IV Explore the Opportunities District Membership Chair

Explore the Opportunities Prioritize the List of Opportunities: Not all opportunities are created equal. Rate and force rank all opportunities. Identify the high value opportunities to pursue.

Explore the Opportunities Review the outcomes of the investigation phase with the G Line. Gain their support and buy in Inform them of surprises and areas of resistance Proceed as a unified team

Step V Start building New Clubs District Membership Chair

Start Building New Clubs Take the top priority opportunities: Establish Key Contacts and create a team Organize and recruit Train on attraction strategies Put Club organization in place, submit application Put retention/engagement strategies into action

Start Building New Clubs When building new clubs: Do not become overly ambitious, work on one or two opportunities at a time Some opportunities will evolve to Satellite Club status. Shift those efforts to the Club level Engage the new Club with the District and keep the G Line involved

Step VI – Celebrate Success!!!

Celebrate Success Honor the Signing of the Charter Advertise the ceremony Invite Community leaders and dignitaries Announce Club Plans for Service Projects Accolades for responsible parties

Step VII – Next Steps

Next Steps Review the priority list Adjust Priority List based on learnings or changes since its creation Review update with the G Line Begin work on another club

Questions?