Reach One, Keep One

By Jennifer Lee Atkin
Rotary International News -- 28 August 2009

The new membership slogan emphasizes the need for Rotarians to focus on both recruitment and retention in their membership growth efforts. Rotary Images

Rotarians are responding enthusiastically to the new membership slogan, "Each Rotarian: Reach One, Keep One."

"The slogan is a gentle reminder to do it!" notes John T. Capps III, a member of the Rotary Club of Morehead City-Noon, North Carolina, USA. "Keep a 3 x 5 card handy at all times to record that moment in time when the name of a potential member flashes in your thoughts."

"Each one of us became a Rotarian because someone invited us to attend a Rotary meeting," agrees William Pollard, past governor of District 7600 (Virginia, USA). "We all have a responsibility to grow our Rotary family so that we can continue to provide service to our local and international communities."

The RI Board of Directors adopted the new membership slogan at its June meeting.

The slogan emphasizes the need for Rotarians to focus on both recruitment and retention in their membership growth efforts.

"Membership development is each Rotarian's responsibility," said Paul Netzel, a member of RI's Membership Development and Retention Committee and a past RI director.

"'Reach One' reminds us that because Rotary membership is by invitation, it's essential that each Rotarian reaches out and invites someone to join," added Netzel, a member of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles.

"'Keep One' reminds us that it's not sufficient to simply sponsor someone into Rotary; we must also see that new members become active and involved Rotarians. We know this is an essential element in membership retention."

The new slogan complements the Board's long-term membership strategy, which was also adopted at the June meeting.

Member sponsor and retention recognition

At its January meeting, the RI Board adopted a New Member Sponsor and Retention Recognition program, which became effective 1 July. The program, also part of the long-term membership strategy, allows Rotary club presidents to nominate and recognize individuals for sponsoring new members while focusing on retention. There are several award categories:

Gold pin and certificate: For Rotarians bringing 25 members into any Rotary club, with 20 still active after six years
Silver pin and certificate: For Rotarians bringing 10 members into any Rotary club, with eight still active after four years
Bronze pin and certificate: For Rotarians bringing five members into any Rotary club, with four still active after two years

Learn more about membership resources available to Rotary clubs and districts.

22 Comments:

At 9:04AM on 10 September 2009, golden blessing wrote: it is a great idea,my club was doing something like that last rotary year by given a pin to any rotarian who invites a friend and i think it was quit encouraging.

At 11:33AM on 31 August 2009, Adisa Raheem wrote: This is a great slogan ''Each member: reach one, keep one'' which was also emphasised at the just concluded membership development Seminar of D9125 at Lokoja, Nigeria. PDG Tunji Funsho emphasised three actions for membership growth which are recruitment, retention and extension. All Rotarians must work towards sustainable development in Rotary coz the future of Rotary is in our hands. President-Elect, Rotary club of Barnawa-Kaduna, Nigeria.

At 11:38AM on 31 August 2009, Margaret joseph Eyo wrote: i have sponser about 3 new member into my club,two is very active..i need to be nominated and recognise.thanks.district 9140 Enugu GRA.

At 11:39AM on 31 August 2009, Rtn.Prem Kogta...Jalgaon...India. wrote: A bring a friend meeting should be arrenged to get new members...Roterians should be asked to bring one friend to d meeting...it does wonders..we did it in our club and were very happy with d results.

At 11:11AM on 27 August 2009, Charlotte Bosecker wrote: I make sure every week membership is discussed. I have challenged our club to learn and implement the new slogan, Reach one, Keep one...We have started calling absent members to let them know they are missed and we table tents I made the ask the question.."When was the last time you proposed a new member?' The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands

At 9:33AM on 6 August 2009, DRR 9250 - 2009/10 Dino Dlamini wrote: The argument on numbers (i.e., if more or less is better) based on what is called the 80 - 20 rule will always be there. Of concern to me is the quality of our membership that remains important either way. Clubs should consist of people willing to give their time as well into making a difference in our communities. Being a member just because you put in money into the club does not cut it for me. I am able to tell others about Rotary and its wonderful experiences in my life because I'm giving not just my material resources but also my precious time as well. But of course, all that was as a result of an invitation sent: "Reach One: Keep One" Just like our District Governor put it, clubs can achieve both (new members and retention) by undertaking quality service projects. People would normally want to be a part of what is perceived generally as being of high standards. Of course looking at the figures mentioned, some may not be achievable, based on a few issues: Diversity of professions and size & type of the local community.

At 9:26AM on 3 August 2009, Carol Woodward wrote: I like the slogan, "Reach one, keep one", but I grow weary of all the pin stuff. Is that a man thing? Simple recognition in the club for inviting an eligible prospective Rotarian or mentoring a new member would be quite sufficient for most of us.

At 9:50AM on 31 July 2009, Harrison Jong wrote: It seems that the targets of the pin award system are quit far away from what the Rotarians would think for them to reach. If a Rotarian who could achieve "Reach One, Keep One" should deserves a certain kind of motivation from RI, as if a 10% of the current 1.2 million Rotarians could make it, then there would be 120,000 new members and 120,000 more active Rotarians. How wonderful it would become in terms of membership recruitment and retention programs!? The goals set should be achievable and realistic or they may end up with just slogans.

At 9:28AM on 29 July 2009, Aba Caesar Oche President Rotaract Club Of Jos,9125, Nigeria. wrote: I think this is a clarion call for all in the rotary family although membership retention skills need to be improved by rotaractors and rotarians alike to keep new members active.

At 12:21PM on 28 July 2009, Esievoadje Akpofure wrote: Its a good idea. But members who bring one member should be noticed Esievoadje Akpofure President Rotaract Club Of University Of Benin District 9140

At 10:08AM on 27 July 2009, Rtn. M Bashir Ullah Bhuiyan PHF wrote: Recognition for membership program is a very good idea. RI should give importance on membership development to every RI District instead of new Rotary Club. Yours in Rotary. RTN M BASHIR ULLAH BHUIYAN.RC DHAKA NEW CITY, RID-3280

At 2:24PM on 27 July 2009, Rtn Servulo Barros wrote: sounds great if implemented seriously. It will be our sincere effort to do so, notwithstanding obstructionists who pay lip service to growth & retention.

At 2:28PM on 27 July 2009, Mauren Hartley wrote: Surely Rotary is about SERVICE to ones fellow man above all, we are a tiny club (36) in total, who struggle to get members, money spent on 'Pretentious Trivia' how ever small, would reduce what could be well spent on Important Issues.

At 10:03AM on 24 July 2009, Shaillendra Karanwal wrote: It is a great idea to recognize as above . But I feel that a rotarian sponsoring even one member should be recognized at least at the club level with special pins awarded for the purpose .

At 10:00AM on 24 July 2009, RTN PP PHF GUNDA JAGAN MOHANA RAO wrote: i have joined in 1971 our rotary club of vijayawada is having 134 members. It is best if we keep below 150 members so that we can have fellowship reasonably. If more than 150 membership, we will have good chance of doing community service as well as best speakers forgoing fellowship, personal touch which are important. The club has to ascertian opinion poll to finalise their club membership. RTN. PP PHF GUNDA JAGAN MOHANA RAO, CHAIRMAN: MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION COMMITTEE, ROTARY CLUB OF VIJAYAWADA, INDIA, DIST. 3020

At 9:59AM on 24 July 2009, rtn Aruna tantia D3291,PP RC Salt lake metropolitan wrote: Membership to be given carefully in order to have good quality members after thorough education. New members before induction should attend club meetings and projects and when they show their interest in social activities they can be offered membership. Small clubs of 50 members are ideal for projects and fellowship.So look for your friends and neighbors who may be interested in your activities and invite to your project.

At 9:59AM on 24 July 2009, PDG Aswini Kar wrote: Excellent, it is good to recognize members who bring in members. I have brought in more than five members who continue till date. But getting 25 members and 20 still active after six years is difficult.

At 9:54AM on 24 July 2009, Rtn.S.L.Omprakash, AG 3230 wrote: I welcome the importance given to retention of members, it is also equally important to invite a quality member, who could uphold the discipline and the values of Rotary.

At 2:34PM on 27 July 2009, Max Rigg wrote: Very interesting to read the above. There are Rotary Clubs and Rotary Clubs. I am president of the Rotary Club of Putaruru, New Zealand. Our town and surrounding area has a population of 4,500 people. It is a dairying and timber milling town with a large number of low income earners. We are struggling to hold membership at 17 (seventeen) I have targetted 10 new members for this year, 4 of whom should be women. I cannot see the PIn System working here.. We also have a Lions Club in Putaruru so there is friendly competition as to who "swoops" on newcomers first. To hear you guys talking about 200 members in a club is awesome !! I doubt if you would get to know everone personally tho' whereas we definately have that personal edge. Our subscription costs are $150 per year. Does that make your eyes water ? Having said all this, we are certainly doing our bit for Rotary in our own way. Yours in Rotary, Max

At 8:50AM on 23 July 2009, Prakash Saraswat wrote: GREAT.. simple great... tackling both issues, not one by one I deserve my bronze PIN already.. now to work for the GOLD PIN..

At 8:53AM on 23 July 2009, Dan Romanchik wrote: I disagree. I belong to the Ann Arbor (MI, USA) Rotary Club, and we have more than 300 members. While it is true that it's difficult to know everyone, much less become friends with them, our size makes it possible for us to do thing that might not be possible if we were smaller. For example, we have our own foundation, which currently has more than $1 million in assets. That financial strength allows us to do a lot of good things in our community, and I'm not sure that two separate, smaller clubs could do as much. Our size also allows us to attract top-notch speakers. The calibre of our speakers is definitely a plus when it comes to recruiting new members and retaining members. It may be intimidating to newcomers, but we take steps to reduce that. For one thing, we stress that those that sponsor new members are responsible for helping them become acclimated. Also, our membership committee appoints a "mentor" to each new member, who shares the responsibility. Having said all that, I think some people will find smaller clubs to be more to their liking. It's really all about finding the best fit for the particular member.

At 8:55AM on 22 July 2009, Bill Green wrote: I note there are a number of clubs that have memberships over 250. It seems to me that one of the ways Rotary works is by getting to know your fellow Rtns. If you have a club with membership in the hundreds it would be impossible to get to know everyone and I would suggest quite intimidating for newcomers to get themselves known. Any club that has over 200 members should really split itself making at least 2 or more clubs.

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