Rotary.org: Membership development

Membership development


 Best Practices database

Clubs and districts share their successful membership ideas in the Membership Development Best Practices Exchange. Comments and ideas may be used in abbreviated form in other RI publications, including the Membership Minute.

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Results 1-7 of 7.
Club NameBozeman Sunrise
CountryUnited StatesDistrict5390
RegionUSA:Western:Mountain
Membership Element(s)new member orientation
IssuesNew members were being lost to attrition and lack of interest within 2 years of joining.
StrategiesNew member orientation takes place quarterly, whether we have 1 member or 10 new ones joining. The meeting is held from 5:15-7:00pm at our normal meeting hotel. Though a new member receives a folder and packet of vital club info when initially inducted, our orientation instructors are also membership committee members who have specialties in Foundation, all avenues of service, and our website manager, who gives them a tutorial of our ClubRunner system and its capabilities. By reinforcing the importance of our club socials for fellowship, we immediately engage new members on an emotional level which gets them to 'want' to get involved ASAP.
ResultsIn the past 3 years, we have lost less than 10% of new members in the same year they were trained, and have grown total membership nearly 25% overall, retaining an even greater percentage over time.
ContactMichael BanvilleEmailmike@verticalmedia.com
PhoneFax
Websitebozemansunriserotary.org
Club Name
CountryIndiaDistrict3160
RegionIndia
Membership Element(s)new member orientation
Issues
StrategiesThe governor of District 3160 (India) presents each new member with a ""welcome certificate"" that features an induction photo.
Results
ContactEmail
PhoneFax
Website
Club NameDelhi, Vasant Valley
CountryIndiaDistrict3010
RegionIndia
Membership Element(s)new member orientation
IssuesNew members did not show much interest due to lack of knowledge about Rotary.
StrategiesWe are planning to appoint a mentor to each one of the new members and also involve them into the club activities by inducting them into the Board to keep their interests alive.
ResultsStill under implementation.
ContactArvind KanaujiaEmailarvind.kanaujia@xansa.com
PhoneFax
Website
Club NameMadera, CA
CountryUSADistrict5220
RegionUSA:Western:Pacific Northwest
Membership Element(s)new member orientation, recruitment
Issues
StrategiesA prospective member was invited to club meetings and encouraged to participate in a club activity before joining. The club project involved partnering with a local high school to give students a chance to shadow Rotarians in varying professions for one day at their daily jobs, giving the students an opportunity to explore potential career choices. One of the students was partnered with the prospective member. This allowed the prospective member to have a meaningful Rotary experience before joining the club.
ResultsThe prospective member was given a chance to participate in club activities right from the start.
ContactDiana BardenEmail
PhoneFax
Website
Club NameHatfield
CountryEnglandDistrict1260
RegionGreat Britain and Ireland
Membership Element(s)new member orientation, recruitment
Issues
StrategiesBefore the RC of Hatfield commenced their 2003-04 Regeneration Campaign, they were externally seen as a geriatric club that no younger person would wish to join. They modernized their club by cutting their annual subscription by almost 50%, changing their meeting time from solely lunch to an alternate lunch and early evening meeting, and created a ""Welcome Pack"" to ease new members into the habits of their club. The changes did not initially bring forward a rush of new members, but the changes coupled with a membership campaign led to 9 new members.
Results
ContactEmail
PhoneFax
Website
Club NameSparks
CountryUnited StatesDistrict5190
RegionUSA:Western:Southwest
Membership Element(s)retention, retention, new member orientation
IssuesGoal: Retain new members.
StrategiesNew members are welcomed into the club by a standing ovation. They are immediately assigned a job as Raffle Ticket Salesman or Greeter at the main check-in table. This allows them to meet all the members in a short period of time. A Red Badge Committee meets with all new members to answer their questions and educate them on Rotary subjects. Furthermore, Red Badges are asked to sit at a different table for each meeting and are individual introduced.
ResultsMembership retention has increased. New members are attending regularly and are becoming involved in committees more rapidly and stepping up to leadership roles in the club sooner.
ContactWyn G. SpillerEmailwspiller@ncwinery.com
PhoneFax
Website
Club NameAusable Forks, NY
CountryUSADistrict7040
RegionUSA:Eastern:Mid Atlantic
Membership Element(s)retention, retention, new member orientation, continuing member education, communication
IssuesInduction ceremony needed improvement to make it more meaningful.
StrategiesWe added an educational element to our induction ceremony. One of the Paul Harris Fellows explains Rotary's history, the scope of Rotary International and outlines Rotary's ideals. The most moving is the summary which came from a 1985 issue of the Rotarian. This suggested a pledge for all attending. ""I pledge to not be a cog in the Rotary wheel, but to be part of its driving force. To make my Rotary attendance a joy and not a burden. To serve my club in any capacity in which I am asked to serve. To be an ambassador from my vocation to my club, my community and society, as I know I must vindicate my affiliation with Rotary. To recognize my community as my particular plot of ground to till, not only for my security, but for all of mankind. To be proud to associate with people of all colors, creeds, and races, knowing with the deep conviction that international understanding is the root and not the fruit of international peace. To put Rotary to work where I work. To live Rotary where I live. Or, in other words, not to be just a member, but to be a Rotarian.""
ResultsEveryone was impressed. This pledge came from the February 1985 Rotarian, article by Bernard Schaefer.
ContactJohn RyanEmailadkmtcabin@yahoo.com
Phone518-647-5984Fax
Website