Rotary Membership Moments

Rotary Membership Moments A few years ago Rotary International instituted the idea that at each meeting membership would be mentioned in some fashion, be it a contest, play, interview or by just a simple reminder of its importance to the club. Helene Campbell, D5130, compiled a list of messages in 2005-2007 to be read at each weekly club meeting to help draw attention to the importance of membership. It's recommended that you also make it a make it a part of your weekly newsletter. Week 1 July 3-9, 2005 Rotary does not have a membership problem it has an invitation opportunity. During the year invite your family, friends, business and social acquaintances to your Rotary meetings and events. This is a wonderful opportunity to educate them about all the good things Rotary has to offer; friendship, contacts, the opportunity to work on projects in the community and of course the internationality of Rotary. Don t be selfish invite someone to your next Rotary meeting. Week 2 - July 10-16, 2005 Retaining new members is one of the most difficult parts of membership. Without a positive and assertive plan, new members walk out the door as fast as they walk in and when asked why, they generally say, no one invited me to be involved!. It is everyone s responsibility to engage and inform new members, but the sponsor who is a mentor for the new member has an even greater role. Remember to keep your new members active and informed so he or she can become a true Rotarian. Week 3 - July 17-23, 2005 Knowing that two Rotary clubs will be chartered someplace in the world today, tomorrow and every day provides a strong endorsement of the vitality and extension of Rotary service throughout the world. By inviting someone you know to a meeting insures the health and vitality of your own club, enlarges the ideals of Rotary worldwide. Offer a life-changing opportunity to that friend or acquaintance. Week 4 - July 24-30,2005 Members are required to attend at least 50% of club meetings in each half of the year and at least 30% of their own club s meetings in each half of the year. A missed meeting may be made up by attending another club within 14 days before or after a missed meeting. Make-ups can be fun and enjoyable. You never fail to meet interesting new faces at other clubs and often run into friends you didn t know were Rotarians, much less members of the particular club. Do a makeup, meet a new friend. Week 5 July 31 August 6, 2005 Craft talks are usually the introduction of a new member to the club. We learn where they were born, educated, about their family, employment, hobbies and community interests. In some clubs this is called a Rookie Sketch. As a long-standing Rotarian, come to a future meeting and share your background so that everyone can get to know you better. It makes a great mini program and you ll be surprised at the reception you get when you share a bit of yourself with other Rotarians. Get to know your fellow members Let them get to know you. Week 6 August 7 August 13, 2005 Have you ever visited a strange city where you know not a soul? Then you walk into a Rotary meeting and you are greeted with a warm welcome, a hand- shake and an invitation to sit at a particular table and of course you are made to feel welcome. So when you see someone from another club or a stranger (they may be your program for the meeting) come through the door of your meeting room offer your hand and a warm welcome. It may turn out that they are a person you can conduct business with, play a round of golf with or have your kids on the same soccer team. It says that your club is warm and inviting. Treat your meeting place like your home Welcome visitors warmly. Week 7 August 14-20, 2005 Involvement grows when you learn more about you club and how it operates. Find out when the next board meeting will be held and plan on attending. Learn how the club

functions, what is planned for the year, and how you can become an active participant. Look out side the club and attend a District function, an assembly, foundation event or workshops. Rotary has a vast array of opportunities that can lead to adventures around the world. Consider planning a trip to an International Rotary Convention held once a year in some part of the world. The 2006 Convention will be held in Denmark and Sweden the first convention held in two countries then in 2007 it s on to New Orleans. Grow your Rotary knowledge and let Rotary grow in you. Week 8 August 21-27,2005 Consider hosting an Exchange student from a different county. This is a wonderful opportunity for a Rotarian family to have a young student in their home sharing cultures. If we involve our families in Rotary they will come to understand the opportunities that Rotary has to offer and they will understand your commitment to the organization. Education and involvement will make us better Rotarians and we will want to share in this unique organization. What better way to world peace and understanding? WEEK 9 - August 28-September 3, 2005 Are you on the Membership Committee? Yes, each club should have a Membership Chair and a formal committee. But the truth is that all Rotarians are on the committee. All of us must be on the lookout for that prospective member, the local franchise owner, the librarian, business acquaintance or the golfer you played your last game with. Be an active Membership Committee member. Propose a member. Week 10 September 4-10,2005 Past RI President Glen Kinross said the following: Rotary is a miracle because in an increasingly violent world, where intolerance is rampant and narrow allegiances to ethnic, political or religious creeds have become of paramount importance, Rotarians offer friendships and opportunities to people of all races and persuasions. Rotary is a miracle because it offers glimpses of a better world. Rotary works towards that possible and achievable society that will one day conquer the absence of peace a society that will provide opportunities and equality for all. Believe in the miracle: We are Rotarians Week 11 September 11-17, 2005 Everyone likes to be recognized for a job well done. It s always nice when the President of the club gives thanks for a job well done. As a club member you should always be ready with a sincere thanks and a warm handshake. There is no such thing as too much praise especially when it is given sincerely. Give thanks when you catch someone doing a good job. It will be appreciated. When Rotarians know they are appreciated they stay Rotarians. Week 12 September 18-24, 2005 Be proud of the fact that you belong to the world s greatest service organization. Rotary is well respected. When you wear your pin you tell the world that you are special, you abide by a code of ethics, The Four Way Test. You are recognized as a business leader. Wearing your pin can give you the opportunity to meet the most fascinating people in an elevator or at the airport. Try it the next time you travel. Week 13 - September 25 October 1, 2005 Who is a mentor? The person who agrees to shepherd a new member thought their first year of Rotary. A mentor welcomes them at meetings, introduces them to other members, sits with them and encourages them to join in activities and belong to a committee. In other word helps them get involved. Educates them on what Rotary is and how it functions. Be a mentor; help a new member learn about Rotary Week 14 October 2-8, 2005 Public Relations At every fund raising event have a booth or at least a table that promotes the club, it s service to the community and international projects. Have handouts that tell what Rotary is one the largest international humanitarian service organization in the world. Rotary promotes world peace and understanding. Let the community know the Rotary Club of is looking for a few good men and women to become members. Help create a club brochure that tells the Rotary story Week 15 October 8 15, 2005 We are now three months into the Rotary year. Have you invited anyone to a meeting? Look around your community; we must all be ready to communicate the benefits of

Rotary. Many times that potential member is right in front of us, too close for us to see the hotel catering manager, the consultant that works at home, co-workers, the franchise owner or your partner or spouse. Don t be stingy share Rotary! Week 16 October 16-22, 2005 Have an after work party on Friday evening low key, pot luck, at someone s house. It s a great way to have your spouse, partner or other guest meet those involved in Rotary and hear what Rotary is doing currently in the community. The more you know about our club s members the more you will want to work with them on projects. Perhaps those guests will also want to join in, helping on community projects. Fellowship is the foundations of Rotary. Week 17 October 23 29, 2005 Be proud of being a Rotarian, wear your pin, and help your club have a good public image. Rotarians are business and professional leaders, from around the world, who are committed volunteers. There are over 1.2 million Rotary members worldwide who belong to 33,000 Rotary clubs in 168 countries. It is truly an honor to belong to this organization. Be proud that you have been chosen to be a Rotarian. Week 18 October 30 November 5, 2005 Bring someone into Rotary that can help you do what you do in Rotary. When it s fund raising time or Community project time we look for help with that area for which we are responsible. By bring in a new member we have additional help with the tasks that need to be accomplished. It will also build goodwill and better friendship. Share the job and let everyone have fun Week 19 November 6 12, 2005 We all know that November is Rotary Foundation month, when we are all asked to give, Every Rotarian Every Year. Why not make that your club s membership theme, Every Year Every Rotarian One New Member. Rotary Membership is the foundation of Rotary for without members there would be no Foundation. Membership and Foundation go hand in hand Week 20 November 13 19, 2005 Have new members assigned to a committee that plan their own fund raising and/or club social event. This has worked well in larger, older clubs, new members can plan an event that everyone can help with or it can be exclusively theirs. It will give them ownership of a project. Remember a Rotarian that is involved stays a Rotarian. Week 21 November 20 26, 2005 (U.S.A.) Thanksgiving is a time for all of us to give thanks to that person that sponsored us into Rotary. At this week s meeting, if possible, shake their hand and thank them for this wonderful opportunity they have given you. Have you sponsored someone into Rotary? If not make that your next Rotary project. Thank you for being a Rotarian. Happy Thanksgiving Week 22 November 27 December 3, 2005 Rotary opportunities abound. Leadership training and opportunities exist at the club and District level. The 96 Rotary Fellowships are where like-minded folks gather to talk about their profession or favorite hobby. Community service, international travel to see and participate in humanitarian projects, meeting and entertaining GSE team members and so much more. Enjoy what Rotary has to offer. Become a strong Rotarian Week 23 December 4 10, 2005 Do you know a young professional? Bring them to a meeting or better yet, create a list and bring a group of young professionals to a meeting. Like ages attract, make your program one that is of interest to them. Then turn around and ask several of them to be a program at a future meeting. Recruit, recruit!!! Expose your club to a younger point of view

Week 24 December 11 17, 2005 Rotary meetings can be a wonderful opportunity to train the future leaders of your club. Create mini leadership training. Have members old and new introduce speakers (give them written guidelines), teach the organization of your District, have a Rotary information meeting at least once per month, let a new and longer standing Rotarian team up to research and give the program. Leadership training now, will build Rotary s future Week 25 December 18 24, 2005 Has your club or District sponsored Ambassadorial scholars and Group Study Exchange Teams? Have they returned to your area and have they given a program at your club? Remember you gave them a wonder opportunity. Create a Foundation Alumni committee and keep track of these potential members. Invite them to your meetings and recruit, recruit. They know Rotary already so attract them to membership. Week 26 December 25 31, 2005 Why not create a program on the Rotary Peace Fellow program, centered at seven universities through out the world? Show your membership how Rotary is working every day to bring conflict resolution and peace to the world. May there be peace in your valley, in your District and the world at large. Happy holidays relax and enjoy. Week 27 January 1 7, 2006 Have a new member education program, call it a fire side chat or a new member assembly, make it part of the induction process into your club. Invite new members and their partners to an evening of Rotary education; highlight one or two avenues of service. Give them the in-depth knowledge that will make them want to stay in Rotary. Educate and Retain Members Week 28 January 8 14, 2006 We are six months into the Rotary year, let us hope that we are all on the plus side of membership. RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammer has set a goal for each club, an increase of one new member per club. That means retaining all current members and bringing in only one new member, sounds easy doesn t it? Of course it s easy; all of us know one person in your community who would make a good Rotarian. Go into your community and find that new member. Week 29 January 15-21, 2006 Passion strong feeling about one subject. Some times it takes a Rotarian a long time to find his or her passion. It could be Foundation, International projects, Community Service, the Exchange Student Program. Have a passionate Rotarian talk about their personal passion and why it means so much to them. Remember Rotarians love to share what they value in Rotary. Week 30 January 22-28, 2006 When was the last time your club had a picture in the newspaper? We all know that we do great things in our communities and world wide; get the recognition that your club deserves. Get the story out to the public and let them know why Rotary is the leading service club in the world. People like to belong to a recognized organization. Snap that picture for Rotary recognition. Week 31 January 29 February 4, 2006 Every club has its traditions; write them down and give them to the membership. It will jog the memory of the older Rotarians and will help the newer member understand the workings of the club. Some of those traditions go back many years, invite newer members to create new ones. Why not have a long time Rotarian and a newer member work on the project together. Traditions of a club are a part of its history. Week 32 February 5 11, 2006 As part of your new member orientation process invite them to shop for a club committee. This will give them a great education about what the club does and how it functions. They will also meet more of their fellow members this way. Encourage every member to be on at least two committees. Remember an involved Rotarian stays a Rotarian.

Week 33 February 12 18, 2006 Now is the time to have a social and invite the Rotary Partners. Make something special of Valentines Day, be it a lunch, dinner or a social evening. Rotary Partners and their support of Rotary are vital to our organization. Show your appreciation for all the sharing they do of their Rotarian and also the time they spend working on Rotary projects. A special Happy Valentines to our Rotary Partners Week 34 February 19-25, 2006 Have a classification hunt. List all the classifications of the members that you have in your club today. Look in the phone book and list those classifications that you don t have. Form teams and make it a contest to see who can invite those classifications that are lacking to your next club meeting. Diversification of your club will make it a richer club. Go on a Treasure hunt for those new members Week 35 February 26 March 4, 2006 The rule of 85 gives a break to the older Rotarian. The rule is this; take your age and add the number of years you have been in Rotary, 65 years of age and been in Rotary 20 years = 85. What does this mean? It means that you can be counted as a club member but for attendance purposes you are not counted. You must petition the club board and request this status change. This helps if you want to travel or not feeling up to par on a particular meeting day. It is completely on a voluntary basis. Age + Rotary years = 85 Week 36 March 5-11, 2006 Stop a moment. think about that one and only one person that you know would be a good Rotarian. Invite them to your next meeting; give them the opportunity to sample what Rotary is all about. Every Rotarian Every Year One New Member Week 37 March 12 18, 2006 Like any good relationship one must continue to put an effort into keeping it alive and exciting, membership is like that. Yes, it s March and the Rotary year is drawing to a close. We all need to continue to seek new members for they are what will keep our clubs alive and exciting. Continue the effort Week 38 March 19 25, 2006 Make plans now to go to all or part of your District conference. It is a wonderful way to met other Rotarians from around your District, network and hear great speakers from outside your District. Be inspired and be a better Rotarian Week 39 March 26 April 1, 2006 It must be the right place and the right time. We all know individuals that would make good Rotarians. But it has to be the right time and the right place for them to be come a member. The first time you ask them it may not be the right time for them due to family and business pressures. Continue to invite them to your clubs fund raising events and those programs that are of interest to them. They will let you know when the time is right. Be alert for the right time Week 40 April 2 8, 2006 When the original constitution of Rotary International was created in 1906 the two objective that were written included The promotion of the business interests of its members. The second object was the concept of friendship. One hundred years latter business networking and friendship among club members are still objects of Rotary. Share fellowship and you business will improve Week 41 April 9 15, 2006 As a Rotarian do you have a special talent? Why not share that with your fellow club members. When your club has a fund raising activity or social event and you play the piano, offer your services. Like wise when you have a new member in your club find out what their special talent or area of interest is so that they can contribute and feel a part of the team. Find and use all the talents of your club

Week 42 April 16 22, 2006 Passion is a word that is seldom used when it comes to membership but it fits. If someone in your club isn t passionate about Rotary there won t be a continue effort to seek out new members to continue the good work of Rotary. We all must be passionate enough to seek out new members. Passion gets results Week 43 April 2-29, 2006 Rotary community service events are a wonderful place to teach your children and grandchildren what it s like to help out in their community. Why not include one of their friends? Their friends have parents who may take an interest in Rotary once they see firsthand the value of being a member. Share Rotary opportunities Week 44 April 30 May 6, 2006 RI President Carl-Wilhelm asked each club to have a net gain one new member over the current year. How has your club done? There is still time and no reason not to have added at least two new members. Just extend the invitation. Have you invited one guest? Week 45 May 7 13, 2006 Share your Rotary story. Share with your club how you joined Rotary and why you stay in Rotary. Some of the best programs will come from the members of our club. Good programs result in membership growth and retention Week 46 May 14 20, 2006 Take it upon yourself to invite a new member to an activity or a committee. Stop the revolving door of membership. New members who are not included or don t feel welcome or involved leave Rotary in an alarming numbers. We work too hard to recruit new face. Don t lose them because of neglect. Stop the revolving door Week 47 May 21 27, 2006 Do you have your Rotary pin on today? What a missed opportunity to tell all you see that you belong to first and foremost service organization in the world. People that know Rotary are impressed by those that belong and for the services that are provided on a community and international level. Wear your pin and brag about Rotary Week 48 May 28 June 3, 2006 One of the nicest things that can happen in business is when you can be referred to a prospective client because your known as a good Rotarian. What a nice way to do business. Become an involved member and you will grow as a person and your business will prosper as well. Know your club members and let them get to know you Week 49 June 4 10, 2006 Do you realize that Paul Harris our founder was the only Rotarian that was not invited to be a Rotarian? Every Rotarian has been invited to be a part of this organization. Invite someone to join Rotary and give them a wonderful opportunity. Week 50 June 11 17, 2006 As the Rotary year draws to a close thank your President and Board for a job well done. Just because they are leaders doesn t mean that they don t like to be recognized for all the time and effort put in during the past year. When Rotarians know they are appreciated they stay Rotarians. This is true for leaders also. Just say thanks Week 51 June 18 25, 2006 As said in week one, Rotary does not have a membership problem it has an invitation opportunity. During the next year invite your family, friends, business and social acquaintances to your Rotary meetings and events. This is a great opportunity to educate them about all the good things Rotary has to offer; friendship, contacts, the opportunity to work on projects in the community and of course the internationality of Rotary. Continue to think membership

Week 52 June 26 30, 2006 Now is the time to thank all those Club Membership Chairs and their committees for all the time and effort they have put into the membership process this past year. They have helped retain long- standing members and have brought new energy and ideas into the club by welcoming in new members. This has made your club stronger and able to put more in to the local and international community. Job well done! NEW ROTARY YEAR Quarter I-July 1 to September 2, 2006 WEEK 1 - July 1 8, 2006 What are your President s membership goals for the year 2006 2007? Be the first to ask and find out how you can help increase the membership of your club. Membership is everyone s responsibility. All you need to do is bring in one new member a year. If every year, every member, one new member, what growth Rotary would have. Be a member of the recruitment team Week 2 July 9 15, 2006 Did you know that July is Literacy month? Pay a visit to your local school and see if there is program that you can take part in, reading to students or collecting books for the library. Why not seek out a school administrator and invite them to a meeting as a speaker or guest, they could be a potential member. Membership opportunities are where we least expect them. Week 3 July 16 22, 2006 Do you have your Rotary pin on today? Let the community know that you belong to the world s leading service organization. Rotary is made up of business and professional leaders who are committed to their communities. There are 1.2 million Rotary members worldwide who belong to 33,000 clubs in 168 countries. Be proud that you have been invited to be a member Week 4 July 23 29, 2006 Are you planning a fund raising event for your club? Make sure everyone has the opportunity to participate, let all Rotarians bring their talents to the project. What better way to get to know a fellow Rotarian than by working side by side on a worthwhile project. Remember an involved Rotarian stays a Rotarian Week 5 July 30 August 5, 2006 Do you share Rotary with your non - Rotarian friends and business associates? Talk about all the good things that Rotary does with community service and international projects. Let them know about the four-way test and how it affects your business and personal life. It s ok to brag about Rotary it s a great organization. Spread the word; invite someone to a meeting today. Week6 August 20 26, 2006 Did you know that August is Membership and Extension month in the Rotary calendar? Stop and think about that one person you know that would be a great Rotarian. Invite them to a meeting where the program is of interest to them. Let them meet the others in the club and give them the opportunity to sample Rotary. Every Rotarian, Sponsor One New Member, Every Year Week 7 August 13 19, 2006 Who is waiting for an invitation to come back to Rotary? What about those former members that left for one reason or another? Invite them to a meeting, a social or to help with a project. This might be a good time for them to rejoin the club, participate in community service projects and enjoy the fellowship of Rotary. If the day or time is not convenient introduce them to another club in your area that better fits their schedule. A former Rotarian can be a strong new member

Week 8 August 6 12, 2006 What do demographics have to do with Rotary membership? The demographics of Rotary changed drastically from a traditional men s club with the admission of women in 1987. We must now be aware of the cultural diversity of our communities and include that diversity into our clubs. When cultures blend wonderful things can happen. Week 9 August 27 September 2, 2006 So you missed a meeting, do you know what a great opportunity this can be? Take the opportunity to make up at another club, meet new and interesting members. This can be a great opportunity to meet business owners who might be interested in the services that you provide. Make business contacts through Rotary.