Membership Development

Why do we need new members? Lose an average of 10% each year Additional members –Improve fellowship –Provide more and new ideas for service –Provide more hands for service

What is an effective Rotary Club Can sustain or increase its membership base Implements successful projects that address the needs of its community and the world community Supports the the Rotary Foundation through program participation and financial contributions Develops leaders capable of serving Rotary beyond the club level

Five Point Plan Hold good meetings Have a minimum of four projects each year Have a minimum of four social events each year PUBLICIZE what the club does Create a Board of Directors with continuity

Assess your Club Meeting Location Speakers and programs Activities Demographics Member attitudes How does club promote membership Community image Classification survey

Membership Knowledge Who is eligible to be a member –Adult persons of good character and good business and professional reputation Engaged as a proprietor, partner, corporate officer or manager of any worthy and recognized business or profession Hold an important position and have executive capacity with discretionary authority Have retired from such a position

Membership Knowledge What is a classification –Describes the principal and recognized activity of the firm, company or institution with which the member is connected –Or describes the member’s principal and recognized business or professional activity

Membership Knowledge New Limitations –Club may have five (5) members in each classification –If club has more than fifty (50) members, the number of members in any classification cannot exceed 10% of total membership

How to Grow membership Retain members Attract new members

How to add new members Preparatory Stage –Convince members of the importance of membership growth –Convince members that membership development is every Rotarians responsibility –Keep members thinking about membership development –Have members identify potential new members

How to add new members Invitation Stage –ASK the potential member to attend a rotary meeting or service project –Prepare the potential member for Rotary membership –ASK the potential member to join your Rotary club

How to add new members Induction Stage –Have a formal induction ceremony –Assign a mentor for the new member –Provide a formal orientation program for the new member –Involve the new member on a committee as immediately

How to add new members Specific Membership Development Programs –Face to face invitation –Letters of invitation –Guests evenings/lunches –Teams of 4 bring 1 new member

How to retain members Monitor your clubs dropout rate and the reasons for leaving Make fellowship a reality for all members Keep all members involved in the club Keep members informed Invigorate your programs and activities