SEPTEMBER 2009

 Between 2004 & 2009, the US membership in Rotary experienced a loss of more than 25,000 members.  Other countries are seeing a growth in membership.  Membership is the foundation of good Rotary clubs, the District, our Zone and ultimately, RI worldwide.  There is a direct correlation between membership and the ability to fund and accomplish projects.

Terry Gilbert – DGE Kathleen Simko- DGN Amber Campbell Nancy Burgess David Penny Lauren Murdoch Sanju Choudhry Krista Cole Lani VanderBeek Mark Young

 Assign a DMC member to all clubs in District  Pattern it after the AG – the DMC is your club resource in helping with membership  New club formation is being handled by a separate committee  Focus is a three pronged approach:  Recruitment  Retention  Diversification  Get a baseline through district wide survey  Begin resource collection for club use

 100% of clubs responded to the survey.  Rotary is perceived as an ‘old mans’ club!  47% of clubs have a written membership plan.  Only 5 clubs of 40 have experienced a membership growth in three of the past five years.  All clubs have an orientation for new members.  Death is the #1 reason for losing members.

 Keep stressing membership  PETS & other seminars  Best practices collection  Online, web based resources  Standardized membership packets & materials  Train us & provide materials  Facilitate committee (membership) meetings  Help us make Rotary attractive to younger members  Visioning! (more about this in a minute)

 “Good one. We would have to want to be helped”  “Not sure District Membership Team can help”  “Probably can’t. District is huge”  “Cannot think of anything”

 Assign DMC member to each club  Ask each club to commit to creation of a written membership plan due by 12/31/09  Utilize the D5400 web site for resource collection which will include:  Membership toolkit including link to RI  Rotarian Testimonials  Discussion Board (tentative)  Examples of membership Plans

Attend the RI Membership Training in Mesa, AZ (January) Introduce DMC & Visioning at PETS (March) Convene club Membership Chair meeting at District Conference (May) Promote through print & electronic media (various times)

Conducted a Visioning Facilitation training (July) Pilot Visioning session with Portneuf RC (September) 2 nd Pilot Visioning planned in Emmett (September)

 Rotary Visioning is a membership development tool.  Visioning is a proven process designed to help guide clubs in the creation of a written plan for growth.  Initially developed in 2002 to help a small Rotary club in Minnesota deal with declining membership & lack of direction.  Visioning has grown significantly and to date, more than 400 Facilitators have been trained in 60+ Districts in the US, Canada, Australia & New Zealand.  Over 500 clubs have gone through the Visioning process.

1. Who are we? 2. Where are we?” 3. Where do we want to be?” 4. How will we get there? 5. How will we know when we have arrived?

Make the decision & commitment to participate Identify key leaders and members to include in the Visioning process Select a Club Visioning Event Coordinator – this person is responsible for organizing all of the logistical details Provide date & time options – ideally an weeknight evening from 5:30 – 9:00 pm Invite members to complete the Rotary Visioning Questionnaire (online survey) Provide appropriate facility & equipment Cover costs of event including meal, materials & provision of accommodations (if needed) for 3-4 Visioning Facilitators

A written plan for club direction A set of goals to accomplish the plan Opportunity to engage current members A plan for membership development through retention, expansion & diversification Continuity of Leadership Fellowship and the opportunity for service

“As members of the new Pocatello Portneuf Rotary club, we were very excited to have the opportunity to be included in the Visioning planning that our great District leaders are providing. We felt the entire Visioning process was very worthwhile. I would highly recommend it whether you are a new club, an old club, doing well, struggling or anywhere in- between. It will help you re-focus and make sure your efforts are reflecting what your club members really want so their interest remains high and committed. Many thanks to the DG Elect Terry and his Team for sharing their time and talents with us” Pam McKinley, Past President Portneuf Rotary Club

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

 Take a brief 5 minute bio-break  Assess your club’s interest and readiness to participate in Visioning 5400! & complete the required interest form  Work individually, grouped in tables with appropriate Assistant Governor, to create the outline of a club membership plan  Complete the club membership outline form and be prepared to report out to the group & turn in your outline