Chair Message

Dear District 7780 Members,

            Membership has been one of the hot topics for Rotary for several years.  Perhaps due to the mobility of the society or perhaps due to complacency, Rotary membership in the United States has declined.  Not surprisingly, overseas, where apparently the message is fresher, Rotary is growing.  Membership is not just a case of recruiting new club members; it is ensuring the experience in Rotary is high quality.  Members need to feel that they are making a difference and they are doing something worthwhile.

            Membership involves Public Relations; the Club needs to be visible and recognized in the community.  When a community values Rotary, its members will want to be part of it when club members see that the community values their efforts, they will consider their time well spent.

             Membership involves Service Projects, if the members are not engaged; they will go somewhere else where they feel they are more needed.  Rotary seeks out leaders in business and community for membership, we cannot bring these people in and then not let them lead in the club, they need to participate in decision making and planning, that’s what they do, that is why we sought them out. You can not recruit a firecracker and then let them sit unutilized in a corner.

            Membership involves fun, if they just wanted more work they could have stayed in the office.  People join a club because they believe it is going to be an enjoyable experience and it should be, people can work hard and enjoy it, but if it stops being fun then they will start to question why they are taking time from job and family.

            Membership should involve family.  The club should not be in competition for an individual’s time. If spouses, children, and grandchildren feel comfortable with the club and participate it becomes part of the fabric of the family life, and another way of conveying Rotary values to a future generation of community leaders.

            Membership is not just trying to sign up more people, if they are not people who will enjoy the community of the club, someone who wants to work side by side on projects, roll up their sleeves and be of service, then they will actually be a detriment to the existing membership. 

            People will not join if we do not ask. Too many Rotary members never invite a friend or sponsor a member.  People are the agents of change, a club unwilling to change is a club closed to new members.  Each new member must be given the opportunity to leave their mark on the club

            Clubs need an active membership program to keep reminding members to think about potential club members and to invite them to a meeting. The program has to have a good way of making sure those new individuals understand what Rotary is about. After recruitment, the membership program needs to monitor members to ensure that they continue to feel part of the fabric of the club and are not ignored. Every club needs an active membership chair and an active membership program.

            People are much more interested in joining a club which is obviously well run and involves its members. If the club is organized, well run, active, and welcoming, then the membership program will become easier.  However the president and a membership chair cannot do everything  - a membership committee  is key to continuing the focus on membership and to keep priming the pump.

Sincerely,

Dave Gooch

District Membership Chair

Rotary International District 7780