What will Rotary look like 10 years from now?

By Arnold R. Grahl
Rotary International News -- 18 February 2009

Incoming Governor Barry Kalar of District 5180 (California, USA) makes a point during a discussion group at the 2009 International Assembly. Rotary Images/Monika Lozinska-Lee

Incoming district governors would like to see club membership grow significantly in the next 10 years, perhaps to two million, and have that membership be younger and more diverse.

The more than 530 district governors-elect are also unanimous in their hope that Rotary will help eradicate polio by 2019.

Those were just a few of the ideas that surfaced during a training exercise held during the 2009 International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, in January. The incoming district governors were given the opportunity to write down what they thought Rotary would look like 10 years from now.

The group discussion was one of several exercises that were based on the RI Strategic Plan 2007-10 and designed to help the future leaders identify the causes of conflict and the benefits of building consensus.

In each of the 28 discussion rooms, participants were divided into groups of four district governors-elect, who listed their ideas on easel pads.

Some ideas topped each group's list. For instance, virtually everyone included having Rotary help end polio by 2019. Some of the participants suggested that Rotarians will be celebrating the fifth anniversary of polio eradication by then.

Increasing membership also made it to the top of almost every list. Some wanted to see 1.5 million club members 10 years from now, while others projected an increase to 2 million. Currently, there are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.

About six groups wanted to see women make up half the membership in the future, and a few others said women should account for 30 percent. Several groups wrote that they hoped to see the first woman serve as RI president by 2019; more than one wanted a second female president by then.

The incoming district governors also thought Rotary needed to attract younger members. Ideas for doing so included increasing flexibility in club or meeting structure, scheduling meetings apart from meals, and making membership more affordable.

The governors-elect remained firmly committed to the mission of Rotary International. Many wanted a continued focus on the emphases of water, health and hunger, and literacy. One group suggested that "the high ethical standards of Rotary should permeate all aspects of society."

Participants also wanted to see the organization get more involved in world peace. At least a dozen groups wanted to see Rotary become better known for its work to improve the environment.

Other ideas from the discussion session included:

Enhancing Rotary’s global public image
Having Rotary be known as the choice for business networking
Embracing more New Generations clubs
Allowing for family memberships
Increasing collaboration with world governments on humanitarian goals
Seeing Rotary win a Nobel Peace Prize

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20 Comments:

At 10:19AM on 29 April 2009, José (D4915-Argentina) wrote: Dear Rotarians, Are interesting attempts to advance new concepts and logic, but I see that we still hitting the devices rather than trying new organizational concepts. In my view a lack systemic focus grouping design strategic and design management, and from there the political will essential to address the times: communication (internal and public relations), marketing (prospecting and evaluation of business opportunities-nonprofit solution selling), human resources, project management, and capillary network (contacts of the organization: how to and tools). On this we must educate the clubs. Please note that since the 90s, the explosion in non-profit means that all fighting for the same thing: funding.

At 5:22PM on 24 April 2009, Gerry McInerney wrote: By involving non-members in our clubs' Service activities we will expose them to the valuable contribution they can make to the less well off in our community and beyond and they will find this fulfilling - this will likely attract them to become members. It's not about the lunches or the networking opportunities it's about giving to others. There is more pleasure in giving than receiving.

At 9:26AM on 13 April 2009, Rajkumar V wrote: If Rotary is to increase its membership to 1.5 or 2 million in 10 years time we got to focus on issues that will attract young people. Global warming,pollution,recycling scarce resources and elimination of wars and misunderstanding should be our priorities. The 4 way test should be the touchstone for all and should be projected as Rotary's hallmark in amuch larger way. With scarce time for other activities Rotary has to become a family affair to get the younger generations interested.

At 9:28AM on 6 April 2009, Rtn.PP L Janardhanrao wrote: Rotary will Eradicate Deadly Polio Virus from the Planet Earth And should occupy place in the community as multinational Chain stores for doing good to the members of the community by increasing the members in the Rotery through internal and externa extension.

At 8:31AM on 2 April 2009, T S POORNANANDAN wrote: 1. Rotary International should be like an MNC without the motivation for profits in 2019. Like the standard practices, proceedures, planning methods, Standing Instructions, Circulars, Notices, etc. all similar to an MNC Organisation, which should work like a Clock precision. 2.Rotary International should be a Icon for the future Generation even beyond 2020. 3. Add more avenues to RI's vision for the future like Improve Agriculture methods, reduce damage to the Nature, Elliminate the human hatredness, etc. Let RI glow in 2020 with all these ideas implemented. Rtn Poornanandan, Rotary Jeevanbimanagar, Bangalore, India

At 8:59AM on 30 March 2009, Gerald wrote: Hmmm...I really like Jim Cameron's comment. I'[m not surprised that membership is the first goal, but I am concerned. My instinct is that if you are doing something that is meeting needs, then others are going to naturally want to join. Rotary should look back to it's foundational reasons for forming - go back to the cornerstone if you want to build plumb! Membership for the sake of numbers really doesn't mean significance.

At 9:16AM on 30 March 2009, Ayoub Mah. Ayoub wrote: The 2 million goal can be acheived with more efforts in: * ensuring that most of the rotaractors will continue the road of service above self, thru rotary club; ** more effort in spreading the word of ROTARY in CHINA. This is a vast untapped area which needs concerted efforts by R.I. with Chinese authorities

At 4:21PM on 26 March 2009, Jim Cameron wrote: In 10 years what do you want it to look like? I don't think the function of Rotary is to run governments or be a glue for peace but more less on a pedestrian level to link people in the community for Fun, Fullfillment, and Fellowship. The basic values the the founders started.

At 9:20AM on 16 March 2009, Jason Boone wrote: I have a couple thoughts around the topic of attracting new members and the ideas which have been given so far. First of all I am a 33 year old president-elect of my club, and I joined when i was 28. I have seen and heard a lot of thought about lower cost of membership and adjusting meeting times to accomidate younger members. I feel both are moving Rotary in the WRONG direction. How about Rotary focus on showing the VALUE that membership brings to the lives of those involved. Making Rotary cheaper or just "easier" attracts the wrong group and will make fundraising harder. I feel we can maintain member standards and still diversify.

At 8:58AM on 4 March 2009, CVR SETTY wrote: "Making Rotary affordable" is very important to attain what 530DGEs aspired during Intrnational Assembly-2009. Annual subscription by Rotarian has to be linked with the National per capita income instead of uniformity. "Avoiding Hypocracy" is a must. Spending Lakhs of rupees on installations and district conferences, enforcing similar dress code for all rotarinas during conferences can be thrown out and funds diverted for projects locally.

At 9:25AM on 27 February 2009, Paul Devlin wrote: Comments by members were to the point; especially the need for young members-what do they want so they will join? Realistic growth of 2MM is a bit optimistic at current growth rate. Perhaps better press, everywhere Locally, Nationally- would help growth,.

At 11:28AM on 26 February 2009, Joseph Bruno wrote: Our viable club is indeed in need of new members--I, as membership chair, am beginning a concerted effor to bring in new members. I did obtain a complete list of all businesses in our area . I obtained this from the town clerk's office. This will give us a base to work from. I am soliciting the services of each member to proceed to contact and invite potential members to a dinner meeting. If it works we'll be on our way to being again a viable rotary club in our area. We are targeting each member to invite two potential members.

At 11:25AM on 26 February 2009, Anthony Pearce wrote: These are all great idea s- and it is a very useful exercise - to work out where we will be in 10 years and backcast on how to get there. Just think of the power of a global movement of people with a commitment to common principles and a few important goals - these are timeless - just the old image of Rotary that has to be changed. If used right the internet can reinvigorate our global movement - as long as it does not dissipate it. It is good that RI is using Facebook, Twitter etc, but clubs need to be more active on this as well - and especially at District and national or regional level, the Rotary infrastructure needs to assist in empowering this. The official on-line infrastructure for clubs in many regions is pretty basic and really holding clubs back, I feel, from developing more exciting on-line presences that are closely coordinated with Rotary. We shouldn't have to go to live.spaces or create our own websites to host our own discussion groups or post videos of meetings - this is often the case.

At 11:55AM on 25 February 2009, Phyllis Johnson wrote: The inbred nature of Rotary leadership beyond the club level, where leaders are picked by existing leaders rather than by a vote of the district or international assembly, and the mindset that one must "go through all the chairs" to move up, ensures that Rotary will be a conservative, gray, organization. Is this what we want?

At 9:54AM on 24 February 2009, Ajay Agarwal wrote: If Rotary wishes to engage the attention of younger people, it will have to take a hard look at meeting and attendance requirements in force currently. While the 2 million membership goal is extremely laudable, major steps will be required to make it a reality.

At 11:51AM on 23 February 2009, Greg Krauska wrote: This is great to get our thoughts and energy focused on our future. Now we need to engage directly with non-members to find out what THEY want and envision. How are you engaging with NON-members to figure out what they are looking for, what hurdles they face and what it would take to make Rotary their number one choice for service? Greg Krauska District 5950 Membership Chair www.innovaterotary.com

At 11:43AM on 23 February 2009, C RAY CARLSON wrote: The younger generation is looking for JOBS. Everywhere. Many in developing countries have clean water, are healthy and have food, are even college graduates BUT have no jobs! Unemployment for college graduates exceeds 50 p.c. Business-savvy Rotarians must get involved in Job Creation on a massive scale. Youth Entrepreneurship Education is a new and exciting focus of District 5300.

At 11:42AM on 23 February 2009, Kishabhau Godboe wrote: If Rotary's global image is to improve, image of local Rotary will have to be improved. And for that matter, image of each Rotarian will be critical. We must have a program to infuse more Rotary into Rotarians.

At 10:07AM on 20 February 2009, Mac Purcell wrote: It does require an approach designed to appeal to the 35-45 year old's age group now, as they will 45-55 in ten years time. More Facebook, Twitter, more blogs, we have to get up to speed with the new ways to social network, because that is where it is happening. Let's become a YES, WE CAN organisation TODAY!

At 4:23PM on 19 February 2009, RTN. SYED AZMATULLAH RC: CHENNAI PHOENIX RD: 3230 wrote: The ideas of the discussions of more than 530 DGEs on “What will Rotary look like 10 years from now?” held during the 2009 International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, in January 2009 : 1. End Polio by 2019 2. Increase memberships to 2 million by 2019 i) 0-50% women membership and woman-RIP by 2019. ii) Attracting Younger members by increasing flexibility in club or meeting structure, scheduling meetings apart from meals, and making membership more affordable. iii) Allowing family-membership iv) Embracing more New Generations clubs 3. Commitment to the mission of Rotary International and continued focus on the emphases of water, health, hunger and literacy and permeation of "the high ethical standards into all aspects of society." 4. Enhancing Rotary’s global public image 5. Having Rotary as the choice for business networking 6. More involvement in world peace and environment. 7. Increasing collaboration with world governments on humanitarian goals 8. Seeing Rotary win a Nobel Peace Prize If the ideas are transferred into actions, Rotary will look like ‘Mass Movement”.

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