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President-elect Lee challenges Rotarians to bring in more members

By Lisa Baker 
Rotary International News – 27 February 2008 
 
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Regional Rotary International Membership coordinators attend a training seminar on how to help clubs and districts achieve membership growth.  
Photo by Alyce Henson/Rotary Images

Increasing membership, especially among younger generations, was the focus of the Regional Rotary International Membership Coordinators Training Seminar, held earlier this month in Skokie, Illinois, USA. The annual RRIMC event trains Rotarians to help clubs and districts achieve membership growth.

RI President-elect Dong Kurn Lee called on the RRIMCs to get every Rotary club to bring in at least one new member in 2008-09. During his term, he will challenge each district to achieve a 10 percent net increase in membership and to start two new clubs.

Lee stressed the importance of recruiting younger Rotarians: “If we don’t bring in younger members, we’ll miss out on a great deal of energy and expertise. The strongest Rotary club is one that is diverse. It has members of different ages, both men and women. It has members of many different vocations and professions. It has members with different skills and talents.”

He also spoke about Rotary’s youth programs and alumni. “Good Rotaract and Interact clubs create good future Rotarians,” he said. “Clubs should maintain contact with alumni, so when it’s time, they can be invited to join Rotary.”

“Most alumni aren’t asked to join Rotary, and that represents a tremendous investment of our capital that we are ignoring,” explained RI General Secretary Ed Futa. “They have to knock on our door and beg us to be a part of the Rotary family. If we aren’t going to invest in them, then let’s stop the programs.”

John Hockin, a member of RI’s Membership Development and Retention Committee, urged the RRIMCs to be role models for all Rotarians. “Our approach and attitude must be changing. Bring in members – not members your age, but two generations younger.”

According to Hockin, if all clubs and districts meet Lee’s challenges, Rotary will welcome 100,000 new members next year.

The 10 clubs and districts with the highest percentage membership growth will be recognized during the 2009 RI Convention in Birmingham, England.

To see information about our upcoming 2008 Convention in Los Angeles, click here.

51 Comments:
At 9:28AM on 9 February 2011, rotn ogergade kelvin wrote: Rotaract clubs around member Nations, bringing more of the concern people to the face of the nation. In doing this, i think the people will have more to know about the services rendered by the club.Rotaract is all about service to the people and humanity,nothing more than that is been done in this service club called ROTARACT
At 12:20PM on 19 October 2010, PP Rtn Dr Srinibas Mahapatro wrote: Concept of e-club in Rotary movement is undoubtedly a good idea, which need to be appreciated. Some important areas can be touched and more members can be included. The formation of e-club and its procedure to be informed to all districts and clubs too.Its structure and management need to be popularised at this important time.
At 10:07AM on 6 April 2009, k.shailesh.rao wrote: I fully respect the thought and view of our Gr8.RI President with respect of injecting new , young members. I just joined Rotary in year 2007-08, My club president had really helped me in every respect to understand and get to the real world of Rotary , he gave me free hand to carry out projects of essence that was proposed by me, he also made me the chairman for that particular project etc etc, this is how you really start feeling interested and vibrant when your seniors encourage you , you must have proper mentor to bring about that spirit in you ,now this year i have grown up to become my club secretary imagine just in one year of rotary life,its in this kind of environment that you can always display your dedication and willingness to help the community in totality , Rotary is the only platform where you can do wonders in helping the needy and support community in a very innovative way . Jai Ho!!!!Rotary. secretary,k.shailesh.rao, Rotary club of Mulund,Dist: 3140
At 8:53AM on 9 February 2009, Rtn. Ashok Maheshwari wrote: Rotarians who celebrate Rotary, who celebrate Life are true Rotarians, they consider Rotary as family and work for augmenting this Rotary Family. We should celebrate Rotary in true spirit by involving all those who are close to us. Let's make this family biggest happening family of world working for human cause. Let's remember we get what we give. Rtn. Ashok Maheshwari President Rotary Bangalore Jayanagar
At 10:23AM on 8 September 2008, Ashok Maheshwari President Rotary Bangalore Jayanagar wrote: A fresh blood always keeps body in good health. It can be Human Body or organization like Rotary. We at Rotary Jayanagar are growing young by infusion of young members. It is moment of pride to me as youngest President at age of 31 years and taking mantle of Rotary Bangalore Jayangar RI Dist. 3190 which has 31 year rIch history. " Involve to evolve" Rotary Jayanagar theme 2008-09
At 9:37AM on 7 August 2008, Vern Anderson wrote: This is a great way to learn what is going on in the rotary world
At 8:44AM on 22 July 2008, Rtn.PHF.DR.Joy Philip wrote: People want to belong to something worth belonging to. If we build quality rotary clubs, quality people will come.make sure your club's "house" is in order so that Rotarians will want to recruit and your club can attract and keep quality community service volunteers.
At 11:43AM on 15 July 2008, PP Dr. David K.K.Chung, eClub of 3310 wrote: I have been a Past President of one Club (RCChangi)and invited a fellow professional to join the club. He was active and enjoyed all activites until he became President. During my Presidency, I formed & sposored a new Club(RCBukit Timah) with 55 members with some attrition but continued till today when that club sponsored another Club called eClub of 3310 of which I'm now the Chair for Membership Committee. I belief membership growth is best attained through formation of new Clubs as well as through personal invitations. Those I've invited are still with the Clubs.
At 10:03AM on 1 July 2008, rtn xavier wrote: young and fresh rotarians are necessary today in every rotary clubs in the world, why? because they infuse new ideas, innovations and creativity in maintaining the membership of the clubs. in our club, rotary club of Polomolok 101 for the reason of our youthfulness we could introduce new comcepts to be adapted thereof. as the results with the help of the Almighty we got awards from our District the same will encourage us to strive more, to serve more our community, hence, we encourage youth to our clubs to the whole rotaty clubs in the world.
At 3:19PM on 10 June 2008, Rtn Gautam Sarma, President 2008-09, Rotary Club Of Guwahati, RID 3240 wrote: It is certainly an excellent idea to welcome young, energetic,dynamic and innovative people to Rotary clubs while taking care to show proper reverence to the existing seniors. This is how, I believe, a meaningful symbiotic camaraderie of youth and experience might lead to the creation of a healthy family of Rotarians so as to contribute significantly to the cause of the commonwealth of mankind at large.
At 8:34AM on 9 June 2008, Rtn. PP A.S.M. Bashirul Huq of RC Dhanmondi Dhaka, Dist. 3280 Bangladesh wrote: I strongly support President-Elect DK Lee's challenge to bring in new young members in Rotary. The young are the people who understand what the present-day world is in need, and they would be the right people in Rotary to meet the MDG in right earnest. I urge upon all elderly Rotarians to take the challenge, and look for right type of young people to be invited to join Rotary.
At 8:38AM on 3 June 2008, ROTARACTOR JOSEPH IKULI,President Rotaract club of Niger Delta university district 9140 Nigeria wrote: Bringing young men to any Rotary club is one of the best best thing that can happen to that club because young people are very innovative ,optimistic and energetic ,they inject new spirit of service and inspire older rotarians to go the exra mile
At 9:26AM on 12 May 2008, Michel P. Jazzar wrote: The eternal question regarding the Membership Development is still : Quality or Quantity? I have brought the answer at one of the RLI Lebanon Division Seminars. We need Quantity in Retention and Quality in Recruitment
At 8:27AM on 6 May 2008, Bob James Jr., Charter President wrote: DK Lee is correct! Here in District 5340, San Diego, California, we are wrapping up our first full year as the La Jolla New Generations Rotary Club. We have 35 members with an average age of 31 and we are 60% women! I am an elder being 41 years old. Our District has benefitted with such a great group of 94% brand new Rotarians! 33 people that could have not joined any other regular morning or noon-time club. You owe it to your District, community, and our world to invite and find ways to get younger people into Rotary! With more hands we can serve better!
At 12:01PM on 5 May 2008, friday wrote: i think DK Lee's choice of the theme"make dreams real" and it's focus on child killer diseases is a big boost to rotary and rotarians especially in African sub-region. we will all jion our hands together to see to jthe actualization of this dream. Rotr. omakwaja omale friday president-elect, RC katsina city district 9120 Nigeria
At 1:46PM on 29 April 2008, PDG Nirmal Singhvi wrote: Joining Rotary at younger age of 27 yrs in 1985 made me a good rotarian and a good citizen and transformed my personality and gave me a chance to serve the downtrodden and become a district governor at a younger age of 49 in a large district of 5000 plus members in 45 revenue districts of RID 3050.
At 9:32AM on 29 April 2008, MUKESH ANAND wrote: Dear Rotary Presidents of all Clubs in the World. The young generation is waiting to be invited to join ROTARY. Even young Armed Forces Officers are very keen to join Rotary. They also need social interaction and so do students to know more about how the world is progressing. If you require any help you can mail me at healingtouchmh@gmail.com and tell aspirants to read about HOW ROTARY IS BRINGING ME CLOSE TO TAKE THE BLESSINGS OF POPE BENEDICT AND HIS IDEALS. HOW I HAVE OVER 1400 Ex Servicemen turned Entrepreneurs as my Extended Family and HOW THE NET HAS MADE HEALING TOUCH TRULY GLOBAL- It all began when I was Vice Chairman of the Justice Tankha ROTARY Memorial Institue for Handicapped in 1997 at Jabalpur. I wish I was invited to join ROTARY when I was 25 not 45 Amen Mukesh Anand 91-9810015900 WWW.GOOGLE.COM- MUKESH ANAND HEALING TOUCH healingtouchmh@gmail.com Gurgaon - India
At 9:03AM on 15 April 2008, Rotn(Dr) Uko O Igbokwe wrote: I am a past president of Rotary Club of Umungasi Aba in District 9140 Nigeria. The President Elect has started well by designing the 12 membership trainning in various countries, many Rotarians well be interested to attend the trainings. Enougn imformation should therefore be circulated on time to enable Rotarians to attend them. I am willing to popularise the infortmations to my district if I am given to registration details on time and also to motivate alot of my district Rotarians to attend many of them. I hope to contribute towards membership development through this way during the 2008/2009 Rotary year.
At 9:06AM on 15 April 2008, Rotn(Dr) Uko Oko Igbokwe wrote: I am from the Rotary club of Umungasi Aba District 9140. More emphasis should be laid on recruiting Rotractors and the formation of new cluds in rural areasto enhance Rotarys image and service in the rural communities during the 2008/.2009 Rotary year
At 9:50AM on 15 April 2008, Rotaractor Sarki sabo wrote: good bringing new member is a very nice, that will bring new blood in member. but for me i want to be a rotarian.
At 9:52AM on 15 April 2008, Jay McCall wrote: The first club I formed two years ago was in a moderate wealthy , age restricted retirement development in Tucson Arizona. Half of the members chartering were prior Rotarians and the other half were individuals whose careers did not offer the opportunity to be a Rotary member. The second Club I just chartered is what I call the New Face of Rotary. It is young, diverse individuals building their careers and vocations. It does span he age range with youngest at 22 and oldest at 70. It is not "fair to all concerned" to develop new Clubs or expand existing Clubs with only established invidividuals who have build their careers or vocations and are recognized as community leaders. The Clubs with a make up of such members owe it to their community to develop and mentor younger members building their careers and businesses.
At 9:56AM on 15 April 2008, Rtn PP Farid Newton 3280-73081 wrote: Greetings From BANGLADESH. Hellow Congratulation, Lets Create Awarness & take Action for the Child. Rtn Farid NEWTON RC AARONG DHAKA Best Regards
At 8:19AM on 1 April 2008, Jide Soyemi (Rotary Club of Ilaro) wrote: The life of every organization is largely dependent on the number of young people in their fold and how well they imbibe the culture and policies of the organization. Bringing young people into Rotary will go along way in the preservation of the our highly esteemed service club, but i want to suggest that they should be given adequate training and let them participate in all activities of Rotary at all levels. I joined last year at the age of 37, and I'll be serving in 2008/2009 Rotary year as the Chairman, Public Relations Committee, within the last one year I'd invested alot in acquiring information about Rotary, that I'm even a source of information to older Rotarians, so let the young ones take time to imbibe Rotary
At 10:02AM on 25 March 2008, MUKESH ANAND wrote: Its very important to attract the younger talent into Rotary Clubs They should be immediately assigned a goal to their likng - POVERTY ALLEVIATION - RESETTLEMENT OF PERSONS AFFECTED BY POLIO-RURAL DEVELOPMENT - POLY CLINIS- CARING FOR THE AGED- or adopting atleast ONE poor family Just watch how ROTARY WOULD FLOWER then Mukesh Anand Former Vice Chairman JUSTICE TANKHA ROTARY INSTITUTE FOR HANDICAPPED www.google.com-mukesh anand project healing touch - N Delhi NCR- India . e mail -healingtouchmh @gmail.com . Mob 9810015900 See the wonderful world we live in . WE HELPED OVER 1400 PERSONS FACING CHALLENGES .
At 9:02AM on 17 March 2008, SHARAD MODY wrote: The challenge is not only to recruit the New Members in Rotary Clubs, but to retain them by convincing them about the relevance of Rotary goals and objectives.
At 10:31AM on 10 March 2008, Peter Forrester wrote: I have been a Rotarian for about nine years and also a former Round Tabler. When I hear members say that they don't know or meet anyone that they could invite as a guest as a potential new member, my heart sinks! Do they never go out, visit or meet Builders, Bankers, Doctors, Accountants and the other whole spectrum of people whom if only invited as guests to their club,potentially will go on to become members. We owe it to them in providing an opportunity for them to become part of our Rotary world of fun, fellowship and helping us support worthy causes. Peter Forrester Rotary Club of Chislehurst UK District 1120 Membership Services Chairman 1120 - 2008/09.
At 8:30AM on 10 March 2008, Rtn Prof R Panchanadhan, RC Tiruchirapalli D 3000 wrote: New Blood always gives extra energy. Young blood adds to the enthusiasm. What's important is the willingness to be responsible to make the new ones to stay. Member for the sake of number creates a bad PR, when this number disappers along with the team that inducted them. Proper orientation, proper mentoring, proper communication, proper recognition may help in retention. A better sharing of success stories of Clubs with other Clubs may help in membership growth and retention
At 8:37AM on 10 March 2008, Rtn.R.Murugan, PDRR, R I DIST-3200, PRES-ROTARYCOIMBATORE MILLENNIUM2008-09, RI DIST 3201 wrote: being a past rotaractor and now a president elect of a rotaryclub i feel the same as i was in rotaract allways cheerful, getting young blood gives more new ideasand that young energy will make us to act much more faster
At 8:51AM on 10 March 2008, Secretary Arthleen Fetalvero wrote: I think President Elect Lee's focus and thrust to recruit younger blood into the organization is timely. In our club we have members as young as 23 years old. I think their dynamism adds life to the club as well as the energy to embark on more worthy projects for the community
At 8:53AM on 10 March 2008, Miguel T. Sayat wrote: I submit to the idea of"Each One Bring One".This is a very effective way of making our organization strong.I subscribe to the idea of education for the youth,the hope for a peaceful and progressive world.Iam from District 3800 from the Philippines.
At 9:00AM on 10 March 2008, Elegbeleye - President Abule Egba 9110 wrote: Great Idea as we do this, and retaining them, will guaranty the intresting future of Rotary Beautiful.
At 9:14AM on 10 March 2008, Nicolette Mudaly wrote: I am 23 years old and I am the youngest member of my district 9270 in South Africa KZN. Joining Rotary has been a wonderful experience and the only way to ensure the continuity of the organisation is to recruit younger members. Also it is the best way to learn as the other members have all the experience and we have all the years to learn. Bringing in younger members is an investment
At 9:20AM on 10 March 2008, Troy Alexander, President, Rotary Club of Royal Oak Centennial, District 5020 wrote: I am one of the youngest the members of my Rotary Club and am youngest President in District 5020 (I am 33 years old). Our club is a young dynamic club and as such we have been able to attract 9 new members this year with 5 of them being under the age of 38 and none being older than 62. One of the first things visitors or guests notice is what a "fun" club we are and how much energy we have. This would be attributed to the fact that we are a younger club, not only in age of membership but also that we are a Centennial club and are less than 4 years old. If we turn away younger members because they are not "high enough in their vocation" this does not set a good example. We need to embrace younger Rotarians.
At 10:39AM on 10 March 2008, ROTN. LIZ OGBETUO wrote: YOUNG MEMBERS IN MY CLUB HAS REALLY BROUGHT IN NEW ENERGY INTO THE CLUB ESPECIALLY THE INDUCTION OF ROTARACTOR UTEBOR EMEKE SIX TIMES SECRETARY OF MY CLUB WHO HAS INTRODUCED MORE THAN 6 NEW MEMBERS SINCE 2001 AFTER HIS INDUCTION HAS REALLY ENCOURAGED BOTH THE OLD AND THE YOUNG
At 11:04AM on 10 March 2008, fomba D.sesay wrote: what are the help towards africa country
At 9:43AM on 4 March 2008, PDG Pratap Puranik, RRIMC (2004-07) wrote: Zone 6a was the higest net gainer for 2007 in RI. Every member, each year, one new and young member was propogated in Zone 6a during 2004-07. Beside appels were made to Rotarians and their families to involve their children / Grand Children in Interact,Rotract for natural graduation to Rotary as they becom qualified. I am glad to note that RIPE Lee has vision to bring in young members for better energy and service. Let's do it, to Make Dreams Real.
At 11:51AM on 3 March 2008, Rotn Anthony Abraham wrote: Membership drive is my major concern in Rotary. For without members, carrying out Rotary's activities will definitely be very difficult. There is usually much strain on very few members. Rotarians who are Executives and have potential Rotarians in the companies should please encourage them to join. There are Rotarians who have children that are good Rotary materials, they should encourage them as well
At 9:22AM on 3 March 2008, Dr.ArunParikh wrote: Every Club-Every Month Bring One New Member will be new goal for clubs of my District 3050.PDG Dr Arun Parikh District Trainer 2008-09
At 9:22AM on 3 March 2008, ijeoma okoro, incoming President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, District 9140 Nigeria wrote: This year in my club, we have inducted many young Rotarians but my concern is designing programmes that would really excite them and make them stay because with my little experience, sustaining them is more difficult than recruiting them. Now that we are working on programmes for 2008/2009, we intend to make the programme worth the trouble because once they like it, they will encourage more to join.
At 9:21AM on 3 March 2008, Rotarian Asaju Ademola O wrote: I happen to be the youngest rotarian in District 9130 from rotary club of ilesa,i can tell you that bringing young into rotary will never let rotary internetional to loose focus,young blood love to learn from elders. Rotary needs new blood.
At 10:16AM on 3 March 2008, Rot. 'Wunmi Oyewole wrote: I agree perfectly with the President-Elect.The good works of a generation die without a younger generation taking over these good legacies.A Club dies without the injection of the "young blood"
At 10:15AM on 3 March 2008, Hemant Mehta wrote: I fully endorse view of the RI President elect. New ideas, new technology,new dynamic energy comes with new young member.It is high time to break age barrier for entering in the world of Rotary. Hemant Mehta,Borivli,Mumbai.
At 10:15AM on 3 March 2008, DGE Janice Teetsell D7470 wrote: Any biases against bringing young men and women will doom Rotary to an early demise. We need younger members for their ideas, their energy, and for bringing Rotary further into the 21st century. We should be trend-setters - leaders - and we cannot be leaders if we put limitations on new members. 20 years ago I could not be a Rotarian - now I will be a District Governor - our most exciting ideas are coming from those who were once ineligible for membership. If you want to survive you have to adapt.
At 10:12AM on 3 March 2008, Rtn. Syed Azmatullah Club:70895 Dist: 3230 wrote: Nodoubt, Rotary Club is an association for Businessmen and Professionals. But, to bring in more members, we have to review our elitist ways of functioning and change over to simple ways.
At 10:12AM on 3 March 2008, C. RAY CARLSON, Altadena Calif wrote: We must ask ourselves, what is it about my club that would be of interest to a potential member? The younger generations are increasingly looking to 'make a difference' with their lives, time and money. Is my club 'In Pursuit of a Passionate Purpose" as Chicago R.I. Convention speaker Theresa M. Szczurek admonished us? Is my club moving from just 'nice' projects to 'life-changing' projects, as Oprah said when donating $40-million to a girls' leadership school in South Africa? What do we talk about around the table at our weekly meetings that would excite a younger person enough to join? When they do, are we willing to give them responsibilities that are equal to their enthusiasm to make a difference? The new R.I. Strategic Planning initiative gives hope that we will become far more innovative in pursuing 'life changing' projects year after year, and not drop them when the next president or district governor takes office. With a major sea-change in the way our clubs think and operate, we will see more possibilities for potential members to like what they hear in our meetings, and to join. And it will make us more fervent in inviting them, because we have what in their hearts they are looking for!
At 9:29AM on 3 March 2008, wetterstrand olavi wrote: I AGREE THAT WE NEED NEW MEMBERS YUNG MEMBERS NEW BLOOD IN CLUBS.tHE CLUBS SHULD DO AN CLASSIFICATION SURVEY TO GET POSSIBBLE NEW MEMBERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THEIR COMMUNITY EX rt aLUMNI VERY IMPORTANT
At 9:27AM on 3 March 2008, Michel P. Jazzar wrote: Having younger Rotary Officers will help in recruiting more younger Rotarians
At 9:26AM on 3 March 2008, Rtn P.R.Aruloli, Past Club President-Chennai Phoenix, Volunteer Auditor - The Rotary Foundation of RI. wrote: Each One Bring One is the slogan introduced by our club president during the year and it is helped the club in making the members active in approaching potential rotarians. The membership growth is to be a part of overall goal setting with reference to optimum no of members per club and optimum no of clubs per district in spite of the administrative costs involved in such plan.
At 11:46AM on 28 February 2008, Rtn.Atul Agrawal wrote: Bringing new and young members in Rotary is like having new-ones in your family. If you don't have the new - ones how one can survive. So, defenitely we should bring new ones in the Rotary family irrespective of Sex, Age and vocation. What I think, every body can not achieve the heights in a short time. We should mentor new ones about Rotary, and then should give them a chance to show their caliber.
At 11:26AM on 28 February 2008, sotowo wrote: i share the view of malcolm whittey of early injection of young men into rotary family. this will enable impartion of leadership skillls this young men which make them useful and relevant to their respective community. with these in sight better we are building a better society
At 8:30AM on 28 February 2008, malcolm whittley pdg d1080 wrote: I have found recently that some Rotarians are against bringing in new younger members because they feel that they are not high enough in their vocastion or business. This is despite their obvious value to Rotary now and in the future. How would you counteract this view, which I consider to be somewhat out dated, or am I wrong?

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