Membership growth encouraged, rewarded
By Maureen Vaught
Rotary International News - 9 July 2008
The 2008-09 New Member Sponsor Pin is available through licensed Rotary vendors as a way to recognize club members who sponsor new members.
"You can feel the excitement and energy in a growing Rotary club," says Michael McGovern, vice chair of the 2008-09 RI Membership Development and Retention Committee.
To help energize clubs worldwide, RI President Dong Kurn Lee is traveling the globe to generate ideas for membership growth. His first of 14 presidential conferences , which will include small-group discussions to identify best practices for member recruitment and retention, took place 7 July in Tokyo.
Conferences in Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, and South Africa will also address child mortality, a top concern that lies at the heart of this year’s RI theme, Make Dreams Real .
To encourage clubs and districts to take action to increase membership, Lee has developed a new membership recognition program. During 2008-09, clubs that achieve a 10 percent net increase in membership will receive a certificate signed by the president. At the district level, gaining two new clubs and a 10 percent net membership increase must be reached. District recognition awards vary depending on the percentage of clubs achieving the membership increase. See details of the membership recognition program.
The 10 clubs and districts with the highest percentage net membership increase will be recognized on stage at the 2009 RI Convention in Birmingham, England. To ensure recognition, clubs should update membership information via Member Access by 15 May. RI membership database numbers will be used to determine achievement.
"The goals can be achieved by any club or district that makes membership development a priority," McGovern says.
This article appeared in the July issue of Rotary World .