Enhancing Membership Development and Retention in Rotary Clubs

1. Membership DevelopmentRetention2008 - 2009 Rotary International District 5450 District Assembly June 7, 2008

2. Organizational Structure

3. THE MEMBERSHIP PROCESS FINDING MEMBERS BRINGING MEMBERS IN KEEPING MEMBERS • Qualifications • Adult of good character • Proprietor, partner, officer, mgr. • Discretionary position in business or profession • Retired from above • (Article V, Section 2, Rotary Constitution) • Community Leaders (new) • Initial Contact • Personal • Phone • Mail Induction • Club Visit • Form • Cost • Introduction • Follow-up • Record • Get Them Involved • Red Badge Program • Assign a Mentor • New Member Forums • Committee Assignment • New Project Participation • Act as Greeters • Attend Fireside Chats • Information • District Brochure • Club Brochure • This is Rotary • Potential Projects Where to Look • Classification Survey • Friends / Family Members • Business Contacts • New / Existing Businesses • Places of Worship • Former • Interactors • Rotaractors • GSE team members • RYLA awardees • Youth Exchange participants • Ambassadorial Scholars • RI Leads • Pre-Induction • Benefits • Responsibilities • Cost • Opportunities • Further Information • Prospect Information • Resigning Members • Conduct Exit Interviews • Offer to forward contact information and dates of membership to another club • Approvals • Submit Proposal • (to Membership Chair) • Board Approval • Inform Club Members • (10 days for comments) REMEMBER:The key to retention is an active club with: good meetings, great programs, and lots of activities,in which all members are involved! • Induction • Formal Ceremony • Invite Family • New Member Packet • Creating Awareness • Advertising • Public Relations • Brochures In all of the above it is critical to get buy in from the club on goals and to identify who is responsible for each activity. HMH Rev. 8/25/04

4. Keeping Members • Three main reasons for Retention Problems • Improper Orientation • Lack of Meaningful Induction Ceremony • Lack of Early Involvement • Club Cliques and Politics

5. Keeping Members • Proper Orientation about Rotary • Fireside Chat – prior to induction • What is a Rotarian – Rotary as a whole • Responsibilities and benefits of Membership • Service organization not a networking opportunity • Financial commitment • Dues, Foundation contributions, Time Commitment • Printed resources and websites for reference • Review Committees and Projects – encourage sign up • Encourage questions – Flush out any concerns

6. Keeping Members • Induction Ceremony: • The Beginning of Retention!!!!! • Make it special – formal and consistent – feel good • Invite Spouse/family • Involve Sponsor, President, Committee Representative • Have Red Badge ready with New Member Packet (Certificate w/calligraphy, 4 way test, Object of Rotary, Pin, Rotary Basics) • Prepare them to offer a few comments about themselves (family, occupation, interests, why they joined)

7. Keeping Members • Get Them Involved: • Committee welcome letter with mentor introduction, requirements and Red to Blue Badge checklist • Assign a mentor and a committee based on new member’s interests • New member Co-Chair • Create a New Member Project Committee • Develop/Introduce new club projects which appeal to younger members • Assign Greeter Duty

8. Keeping Members • Get Them Involved: • Vocational presentations to the Club within 3 weeks • Circulate among new members – Table Introductions • Have Great Programs – Designate Program Chair – Appealing to newer/younger members • Social Events – Personal Invitation by Club President • Potlucks, Picnics, Holiday Parties, Mini-Dinners, After Hours Parties • Monitor Attendance at all Club Events and: Follow-up, Follow-Up, Follow-up, Follow-up

9. Keeping Members • Promoting Retention & Club Vitality: • Continue to make welcome & ease into Club • Diffuse Cliques and Buffer Politics • New Member Night Mixer(1 or 2 per year) • All Club Membersinvite potential New Member • Review Club Programs and contribution to Community • Business Card Exchange • Conduct annual Satisfaction Survey • Encourage (all) and new members to bring a prospect/guest

10. Keeping Members • Get Them Involved • Red Badge Program • Assign a Mentor • New Member Forums • Committee Assignment • New Project Participation • Act as Greeters • Attend Fireside Chats • Resigning Members • Conduct Exit Interviews • Offer to forward contact • information and dates of • membership to another club REMEMBER:The key to retention is an active club with:good meetings, great programs, and lots of activities in which all members are involved!

11. Keeping Members • Staying Relevant – 4 Targets • Retires – age 65+ - 17% of Population • Baby Boomers – age 64 – 44 - 43% Population • Generation X – age 43 – 29 – 16% Population • Generation Y – age 28 – 13 – 24% Population

12. Questions & Comments Thanks for Coming & Sharing !