Membership DevelopmentMembership DevelopmentRetentionRetention

2008 - 20092008 - 2009

Rotary InternationalRotary InternationalDistrict 5450District 5450

District AssemblyDistrict AssemblyJune 7, 2008June 7, 2008

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

Membership Development

Club Extension Membership GrowthMembership Retention

FINDING 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)

THE MEMBERSHIP PROCESSBRINGING MEMBERS IN

Initial Contact•Personal•Phone•Mail

Club Visit•Form•Cost•Introduction•Follow-up•Record

Information•District Brochure•Club Brochure•This is Rotary•Potential Projects

Approvals•Submit Proposal (to Membership Chair)

•Board Approval•Inform Club Members (10 days for comments)

Pre-Induction•Benefits•Responsibilities•Cost•Opportunities•Further Information•Prospect Information

Induction•Formal Ceremony•Invite Family•New Member Packet

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

Creating Awareness•Advertising•Public Relations•Brochures

REMEMBER: The key to retentionis an active club with: good meetings, great programs, and lots of activities,in which all members are involved!

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.

Resigning Members•Conduct Exit Interviews•Offer to forward contact information and dates of membership to another club

HMH Rev. 8/25/04

Where to Look•Classification Survey•Friends / Family Members•Business Contacts•New / Existing Businesses•Places of Worship•Former

InteractorsRotaractorsGSE team membersRYLA awardeesYouth Exchange participantsAmbassadorial Scholars

•RI Leads

Induction

Keeping MembersKeeping Members

• Three main reasons for Retention Problems– Improper Orientation– Lack of Meaningful Induction Ceremony– Lack of Early Involvement

• Club Cliques and Politics

Keeping MembersKeeping 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

Keeping MembersKeeping 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)

Keeping MembersKeeping 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

Keeping MembersKeeping 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

Keeping MembersKeeping 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 Members invite 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

Keeping MembersKeeping 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!

Keeping MembersKeeping 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

Questions & CommentsQuestions & Comments

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