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The Membership Minute

Vol. 4, Ed. 1

July 2007

President Wilkinson shows the world that Rotary Shares

Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, 2007-08 RI president, has launched the new Rotary year as the year to "say yes to Rotary." The RI theme, Rotary Shares, is a reflection of his commitment to share Rotary with others through service and recruiting new members.

Wilkinson, of the Rotary Club of Trenton, Ontario, Canada, sees the concept of sharing as a motivating force behind Rotary work. "In choosing this theme, I thought about how much of Rotary is about sharing. We share our time, we share our talents, we share our money with others who need our help," he told incoming district governors at the 2007 International Assembly in February.

In a time of dwindling participation in service organizations worldwide, Wilkinson emphasizes the importance of commitment to membership expansion. "It's not always an easy thing to invite someone into Rotary. Too often, we hear no. And no one likes to hear no. It's easy to get discouraged. But you have to expect those no's, and know when to ask again - and when to move on to find a yes somewhere else."

Equally important to Rotary's future, says Wilkinson, is attention to programs for youth. "Working to strengthen our programs for youth helps ensure a new generation of responsible, ethical, and volunteer-minded people. [They] are our link to the future of Rotary."

This article is excerpted from the July 2007 issue of Rotary World.

Why is membership growth important for Rotary?

As we start the new Rotary year, let's reflect on some of the reasons that membership growth is important for Rotary.

Membership growth increases Rotary's capacity for service.
New Rotarians bring fresh ideas, new interests, and increased energy to clubs.
More members increase the volume of support for The Rotary Foundation.
Diversity in membership ensures that the club is relevant to the entire community.
Service-minded individuals are given the opportunity to help their communities through Rotary.
More members create a larger network for both local and international fellowship.
New and younger members ensure the future of Rotary and its work.