Membership Plan for the Rotary Club of _____

Membership Plan for the Rotary Club of ______. • Membership (What are you going to call this plan? ) • Drafted by (Your Name). • Club Position ______. • Implementation/ Approved by ______.

Club Assessment/ Why Do We Need This Plan? • • • Declining membership RINO’s/ ROMEO’s Greater community involvement Need more hands/ members to help out New spark of enthusiasm

Membership Starts with Club Leadership • Board of Directors • Club President • Membership Committee/ Team üChair person üCommittee of # ______ üLength of term ______ years • Who is appointed by the Board or President to be in charge of Membership for my Rotary Club? • All Club Members

What Does Our Club Look Like? • Complete a thorough Demographic Profile * • Classifications • Look around the table- Do we act and look inclusive? • Do we look like a group of people someone would want to join?

Demographic Information * # of Club members as of July 1 st : ______ # last July 1 st : ______ # of Club members who are male: ______ # of Club members who are female: ______ # of Club members in each of the following age groups: Under 35: ______ 36 -45 yrs: ______ 46 -55 yrs: ______ 56 -65 yrs: ______ Over 65 yrs: _____ Club past Presidents: (Are you successful keeping past Presidents in your club? ) Still in Club: ______ Deceased or relocated: ______ Classifications in use: (Change these classifications to match those of your club. ) Number Retired: ______ Real Estate: ______ Retail: ______ Building/Trades: ______ Manufacturing: ______ Financial/Banking/Insurance: ______ Legal: ______ Wellness (medical): ______ Other: ______ Number of YEARS IN ROTARY of Club members: 0 -5 yrs: ______ 6 -10 yrs: ______ 11 -15 yrs: ______ 16 -20 yrs: ______ 21 -25 yrs: ______ Over 25 yrs: ______

Why Join our Rotary Club? What is it specifically about your Club that would be inviting to a prospective member? • • • Community Service International Service Fellowship Networking Association with the “Movers & Shakers” in your town.

As seen by your Members, what is your Clubs: • • • Personality Culture Club Structure Availability Purpose

The Rotary Club of ______ and the 7 Steps of Membership 1. Identify 2. Inform 3. Invite 4. Orient 5. Induct 6. Educate 7. Involve In our Club, we will do the following:

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 1. Identify: • • • Establish a procedure to identify wellqualified members of the community. Commitment to service (Service Above Self). Use the classification survey. Look to other community organizations. Membership is every Rotarians job.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 2. Inform: • Rotary International program’s. • Your club profile: What you have done but more importantly what you are currently doing. • Future projects and up-coming events. • Provide the prospective member a “Prospective Member Kit”. Make it look professional. • Contact visitors with a letter or card, lunch invitation card? (President, Membership Committee) • Send prospective members the club newsletter and website information.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 3. Invite: • Personal visit from proposer and member of the Membership Team. • Educate all Club members on your clubs procedures on “How to propose a new member”. *Don’t have one? It’s time to take notes: Read RI (254 -EN) • Track Rotary Club members who propose and give them credit. • Track your % of those invited to actual joining.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 4. Orient: • Further educate the new member about your Club and RI. • Provide a formal pre-induction orientation program. • Provide opportunities for the new member to become involved in areas of personal interest. • Provide a procedure for new members to provide feedback regarding the orientation program.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 5. Induct: • Make the process dignified and meaningful. • Invite the members family. • Have enthusiasm- Celebrate the new member. • Recognize the sponsor (present pin). • Present the new members with a Certificate of Membership. • Have a welcome/ congratulation line for all members to shake hands and welcome the newest member at the close of the meeting.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 6. Educate: (Not Orientation) • • • Club should have on going new member meetings to provide educational opportunities. Mentoring Programs. Include in the “Red Badge” or “STARS” programs additional educational components.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 6. Educate continued… • Establish a continuing Rotary education policy for all club members. Suggested Content: ü Use programs/ speakers for RI and District. ü At least two informal club assemblies a year. ü Encourage involvement and attendance at RI and District functions.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 7. Involve: New Members • Track and encourage “Red Badge” success. • Have opportunities/ survey sign-up sheet right away for new members to chose where they wish to serve. • Have productive and informative meetings. • Provide opportunities for personal and professional development.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 7. Involve: New Members continued. . • Conduct Rotary work at weekly meetings if possible. • Allow members to talk about their businesses without fear of fines. • Vocational Service: Paul Harris started Rotary to network and enhance business opportunities.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 7. Involve: Membership Retention • Have special meetings to recognize your long time Rotarians. • Use senior Rotarians as Mentors. • Look at your Club structure for communicating with senior members. • Form a wellness committee. Send cards and Care Bear pins to Rotarians and family members.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan 7. Involve: Membership Retention continued… • Communicate often with senior Rotarians who do not attend regular meetings. • Have a transportation committee to help pick-up senior Rotarians for meetings and social functions.

Membership Service Path Does your plan include any of these “Plug-ins” ? • Information about how your club operates • Club Policies • Traditional and Club quirks ü Attendance ü Termination ü How to introduce a guest ü Club welcoming of a guest- Applause, verbal, etc. ü Rule of 85 ü Invocations: Prayer vs. Rotary Moment/ Inspiration ü “Leave of Absence” ü Membership Minute- DO THEM!

Why will a Membership Plan NOT work in our Club? • • Club members will not accept new ideas. No support from club leadership. We have never needed a plan before. We don’t want to grow.

How will a Successful Membership Plan build a “Better, Bolder, and Stronger” Club? • ‘Better’ service for our community. • ‘Bolder’ vocational opportunities, fellowship, fun and enrichment of personal goals through “Service Above Self”. • ‘Stronger World Service’ through Rotary International.

Remember “Building and Retaining Strong Members begins well before Induction” • When was the last time you personally asked someone to share your Rotary experience? • Will you personally bring in a new Rotarian this Rotary 2010 -2011 year? • YES!!!!!

Resources • District 5160 www. rotary 5160. org District Membership Team • Rotary International- Rotary. org • District 5230 www. rotary 5230. org ‘Seven Step Membership System’ • District 5150 www. rotary 5150. ort ‘Get your “ASK” in Gear!’