Your voice, your solution for increasing participation

At 11:10AM on 29 November 2010, rotarian nupur wrote: I am a very new member of this great organisation and enjoying myself throughly. members in our club work together bcoz 1 the president/ secretary gives a particular responsibility to a member personally 2. they appreciate the work done in the friday meet.

At 10:07AM on 1 March 2010, dr.k.h.talati wrote: i am president elect for 2009-2010.i have talk to 6 past presidents.i am a roterian from 2 years and was a member from 7 years.personal frequent talk,knowledge of member`s personal intrest,ability and bussiness liabilities are the key fectors.with a hand on shoulder approch.don`t hesitate to ask.make tour intention clear. this should help

At 9:51AM on 8 February 2010, Russ Wilcox wrote: Our experience is that the hand on the shoulder (or virtual hand) is most effective and sending out P.mails to the membership is less effective. Most people want to help but sometimes its uncomfortable to ask but ... that's OK. Just ask. Remember, these are hard times. Not all people can make time or money contributions. Plus, some are experiencing episodic depression, or more. Easy..

At 4:14PM on 8 January 2010, Robert Bitter wrote: HOW CAN WE BE EFFECTIVE IN MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT We often hear and read much about membership and the need to grow our club. The answer can seem simple as it is and always will be the responsibility of the Rotarian members themselves. Like most clubs, we have very active Rotarians who carry the club, initiating and participating in most all club activities , and then we have Rotarians who just make up the numbers offering very little input to the success of the club. It is the few movers and shakers in the club who take responsibility for the its wellfare. At times, they get dis-spirited with the non-action of fellow members. As we begin the new year 2010, wouldn’t it be beneficial if each of us made it a New Year Resolution that we would bring into the club a new and qualified active member and that we would do more than pass the piece of paper coming around requesting participation in a project or event. In addition, we would attend at least 80% of the Rotary Club meetings to share ourselves and our vocation with other members. . If you are an involved member and you enjoy Rotary and recognize its goals of World Peace and Understanding and the impact of the Rotary efforts to solve problems of hunger, health, housing and peace, you should jump at the challenge of sharing your joy with friends and associates by giving them the opportunity of Rotary Membership. It is simple, JUST ASK.

At 8:54AM on 6 January 2010, Pete Broadbent wrote: I agree with Shelly Lake 7th Dec 09 I find it is quite easy to get volunteers when you ask them in person. I suggest that they would be doing me a great favour and that I really do appreciate their "much valued time" Asking members to volunteer en block at club meetings just gets the usual stalwarts turning up every time.

At 9:41AM on 29 December 2009, Dave Bordner, Jefferson City MO Evening Club wrote: We try to schedule some of our projects during our regular meeting time. We organize the project so that it can be done quickly and within the meeting time frame. Those that have to leave early do so but they come for a little while and participate. Those that can stay longer finish the project.

At 11:15AM on 23 December 2009, PDG Jerry Venters wrote: Involve the members in selecting the service project and they will be more willing to help with the hands-on work.

At 3:43PM on 15 December 2009, Terry Bass wrote: First what has to happen is constant advertisement. Our club has a written agenda every week with upcoming speakers and activities. During the presidents time we move quickly to see if the event leader has enough people for the project. It reminds people to sign up for projects. The second thing is if you do have a person not participating, you do need to sit down and talk to them in a positve manner. Going in with the attitude that they need to participate is incorrect. Going in with the attitude that this member hasn't volunteered and there is probably a good reason why, is a good why to start. Listen, Ask questions and respect what they say.

At 9:20AM on 10 December 2009, sukhminder singh (R.C.Bardhaman Heritage-Dist 3240) wrote: In most of the organisation it has been found that there are few peoples who are commited to serve but that dosn't mean that others are visitors only. it's depends upon the club president & the administration how you motivate the others to join. I firmly beleive that - a good project , organized with proper care will definitly involve the members.

At 11:42AM on 7 December 2009, Doug Detweiler wrote: Most members of Rotary are Rotarians not only because of the opportunity for fellowship, but because of the opportunity to give back to their community, and to make a difference in the world. An answer to gaining greater participation is providing the opportunity for events where Rotarians directly see the impact and importance of their contribution to the recipient! Examples of opportunities for service that give an immediate, and powerful, feeling of satisfaction: serving a meal at a “soup-kitchen”, bowling with autistic kids at their organization’s outing, handing out Christmas presents to children of prison inmates or children of our military, serving free hot chocolate or snow cones to the kids at a town event. (Maybe John Bradford said it best: “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”)

At 12:39PM on 7 December 2009, Doug Detweiler wrote: Most members of Rotary are Rotarians not only because of the opportunity for fellowship, but because of the opportunity to give back to their community, and to make a difference in the world. An answer to gaining greater participation is providing the opportunity for events where Rotarians directly see the impact and importance of their contribution to the recipient! Examples of opportunities for service that give an immediate, and powerful, feeling of satisfaction: serving a meal at a “soup-kitchen”, bowling with autistic kids at their organization’s outing, handing out Christmas presents to children of prison inmates or children of our military, serving free hot chocolate or snow cones to the kids at a town event. (Maybe John Bradford said it best: “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”)

At 12:38PM on 7 December 2009, Rtn.PP.PHF.S.Navaneedhan, RC Tirupur Metal Town, Dist 3202 wrote: The club president has close contact with the members from when he becomes president elect and give at least a small assignment to them in each and every service project planned. I heard a wonderful information from one PDG that a member is not participating in any event of the club because of his largest business commitments but paying his dues promptly. He was requested and given a small assignment of just displaying the banner regarding one project at a place far away. The member accepted the request and visited the place personally and completed the work one hour before the scheduled time. He said he has not been requested and assigned any work so far by the then presidents. Every Rotarian is willing to do some thing but they should be promptly treated by the leaders. The involvement by the club members is only based on the close and frequent contact by the club presidents, past presidents and members of the club. If our approach is felt correct by the Rotarians then they must get involved in all service projects and club activities.

At 12:29PM on 7 December 2009, Malcolm Bugler wrote: At our club, we have had the most success in getting help for service project by leading by example. Our club officers demonstrate their commitment by leading projects and being visible doing it. I am also a big believer in "putting my hand on the shoulder" of members and privately asking for their assistance.

At 11:42AM on 7 December 2009, Rosemarie wrote: As the child of a Rotarian, I grew up practising " Service Above Self". I went with my mother to Inner Wheel projects-eg the Library project- helped to sort books and stick on cateloguing stickers. Perhaps, in the Rotary family we should begin taking our relatives with us to help with projects to inject the idea of service to community.

At 11:35AM on 7 December 2009, Shelley Lake wrote: Sometimes people won't volunteer without being asked. Make a point to personally ask members for a specific task taking into mind their particular strengths, i.e, organiational skills, marketing skills, ability to work with power tools, etc. When someone is asked, all they can say is no and generally face-to-face encounters lead to yes.

At 4:20PM on 3 December 2009, Lorna Nichols wrote: I am a firm believer that once you know there's a problem - you are responsible to help. It is difficult to get busy people to volunteer -- I think education of the benefits to themselves, their businesses, and the community as a whole help others take ownership in service/volunteer projects.