Home Businesses: An Untapped Source of New Members
by Chris Offer
Membership Matters, Vol. 3 No. 7 January 2004
The growing number of home based businesses and people working at home is an
opportunity for Rotary. Home based businesses are an untapped source of Rotary members.
A study in 2002 by the US Census Bureau reported that during a typical week about
7% of US workers (9.3 million people) worked at home at least part of the time.
Two thirds of these people worked only at home.
The Census Bureau found that:
50% of those who worked at home were self-employed and 54% were women.
52% were employed in executive, administrative, managerial and professional occupations.
They had high levels of education, 52% had a bachelor's degree or higher.
Average annual earnings were about $15,000 a year higher for this group.
Census Canada reports that 8% of the Canadian work force works at home.
It is clear that there is a large pool of potential Rotarians waiting to be invited to
join Rotary. Like Adam in the 'Adam' cartoon home based workers need social contact
outside of the home. Adam finds his at Starbucks. Many people will find the fellowship,
the community service opportunities and the networking offered by Rotary an ideal
enhancement to their home based business.
Most Chambers of Commerce maintain a category of members with home based businesses.
This list may be a treasure trove of new members.
Article originally appeared in January 2004 issue of Membership Matters.