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

Chair personCommittee of # ______Length 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 1st :______ # last July 1st :______

# 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: ______ 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: ______

• Look around the table- Do we act and look inclusive?

• Do we look like a group of people someone would want to join?

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

1. Identify

2. Inform

3. Invite

4. Orient

5. Induct

6. Educate

7. Involve

In our Club, we will do the following:

The Rotary Club of ______ andthe 7 Steps of Membership

1. Identify:• Establish a procedure to identify well-qualified 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

7 Steps to Build Your Plan2. 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 Plan3. 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: Use programs/ speakers for RI and District. At least two informal club assemblies a year. Encourage involvement and attendance at RI

and District functions.

7 Steps to Build Your Plan7. 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 Plan7. 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 Plan7. 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 Plan7. 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 PathDoes your plan include any of these “Plug-ins” ?• Information about how your club operates

• Club Policies

• Traditional and Club quirksAttendanceTerminationHow to introduce a guestClub welcoming of a guest- Applause, verbal, etc.Rule of 85 Invocations: Prayer vs. Rotary Moment/ Inspiration“Leave of Absence”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.

• 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!!!!!

Remember “Building and Retaining Strong Members begins well

before Induction”

Resources

• District 5160 www.rotary5160.org

District Membership Team

• Rotary International- Rotary.org

• District 5230 www.rotary5230.org

‘Seven Step Membership System’

• District 5150 www.rotary5150.ort

‘Get your “ASK” in Gear!’