As we begin our new Rotary Year under the leadership of Governor Susanne Sundberg, we are all mindful of the membership challenges facing our Rotary organization today.  We need a robust retention and recruitment effort to keep the magic of Rotary alive.  I am pleased to introduce you to many of the ways we hope to assist you and your Clubs meet Governor Susanne's goals of net one new member per club and 80% retention rate.

 

I would like to thank all of the attendees at last month's Membership Seminar for their participation; and, a very special expression of thanks and gratitude to all our speakers, discussion leaders, and Membership Committee members and volunteers, who contributed to a very successful event.   We have received very positive feedback and would like to continue to use that positive energy to grow membership in our District. 

 

What We Plan to Do

 

In addition to holding smaller local Membership support sessions around the District, we also intend to make our Committee Members available to meet with individual Clubs to address Membership related questions and challenges.  So, please call on us!  Also, share your success stories and best practices with us and we will pass it on through this site.  When we hear of good ideas practiced in other Districts, we will pass them on. Let's not keep our great ideas to ourselves.

 

Sharing Great Ideas

 

One great idea from District 5130 is: Introducing The 33% solution. It's as easy as 3,2,1.

The 33% solution is a great way of getting all of your members involved in attaining new members. This is what you do as the presenter for this new program. You can do it as a 7 - 10 minute membership segment, or expand it to a 25 minute presentation. You can do this as an individual or with the club membership chair. Ask the following questions:

a) Who in your club is vivacious, outgoing, likes to socialize? (Ask them to come up) ENTHUSIASTIC, "ROTARY ON THE SLEEVE"

b) Who is a member that is the bean counter, to keep everything on track? PROCESSES, RESULTS (call them up to the front).

c) Now, who is that person who enjoys orienting, taking care of others, making sure they're welcome, involved? MENTORS, KEEPERS OF THE FLAME (like your Aunt Tess/Uncle Joe, a member who understands the ins and outs of Rotary and your club).

d) OPTIONAL STEP if doing a longer presentation: Look at these three people and ask them individually, "Why are you a Rotarian?" Each will answer in their own fashion, but they all will have a reason. Ask them to answer in a few sentences or "25 words or less"

e) Now ask them, "Do you think the three of you can bring in ONE new member?(Give them a little time - 30 sec.) to discuss it.

f) Then ask them, "In what period of time??" or "how long do you think it will take you?" (Another 30 secs.)It can take them anywhere from one month to several months. It all depends on them. This becomes a TEAM effort rather than falling on one individual. They can encourage each other.

g) You can then ask, "How many teams can you have in your club using this method?"

Teams can be formed easily:

 Who is outgoing? Please stand with (use name of outgoing individual),
 Who is a bean counter? Please stand with (Ralph), and
 Who is like your "Uncle Joe?" Come on up.

Now form teams by choosing one from each category. You now have a team with the potential of bringing in a new member as soon as a month, two months, whatever they decide. If you have an overlap, that's okay, put them where they a fit in.

It's as easy as 3, 2, 1:

3 Rotarians
2 Months
1 New Member

 

Please don't hesitate to contact me or any member of our District Membership Team with any question.  We would be happy to attend Club meetings or provide you with needed resources to achieve your objectives.

 

Yours in Rotary,

 

Larry Johnson
ljohnsonmb@verizon.net