memb retaining recruiting
TRANSCRIPT
Rotary International 11/03
Keys to Recruiting and Retaining
Members
Adapted from a presentation by Robert W. Nelson, RIMC 2002-2004
Rotary International 11/03
What excuses do we hear about Membership?
• Recruiting has been difficult
• Younger people don’t seem to have the time available for Rotary
• Changing economy
• Membership attrition
Rotary International 11/03
Recruitment and Retention
• In business we spend a significant effort in recruiting and inducting new staff members
• We also invest a lot of time and effort in recruiting new customers.
Rotary International 11/03
Let’s meet our membership goals
with provenformulas...
Rotary International 11/03
mmeemmbbeerrsshhiipp = E+3R Extend
Recruit
Retain
Revitalize
Rotary International 11/03
Extend: Form New Clubs
• Opportunity for more people to participate in Rotary by offering more options in your community:– Time of day– Day of Week– Location– Club Size– Open Classifications
Rotary International 11/03
Recruit New Members
• Set a challenging goal for your club:– How do you feel when you see a low or
no growth goal?– Do you feel energized and really
challenged?– How about a goal of 3%? 6%? 9%? 12%
15% more??
Rotary International 11/03
Recruit New Members
• Recognize the urgency of Rotary Membership
• Utilize pre-induction orientation gatherings to brief entire family before induction
Rotary International 11/03
Retain Your Current Members
• Members are the life blood of a Rotary Club
• Your club’s most valued asset is its members
• Nurture and grow your membership!
Rotary International 11/03
Orient the new member properly
• Member and spouse if possible
• Evening of Rotary orientation– Club History and Projects
– Four Avenues of Service
– Rotary International
– The Rotary Foundation
Rotary International 11/03
Induct new members properly
• Significant ceremony with spouse• Provide (options)
– Four Way Test– Object of Rotary– Rotary Basic Library– Certificate of Membership– Pin, Badge, Banner– Publications
Rotary International 11/03
Educate the New Member
• Most members who leave were never really Rotarians in the first place
• Up to 80% of a typical club members know very little about Rotary
Rotary International 11/03
Educate the New Member
• Rotary program once a month• Good Rotary speakers• Slides and videos about Rotary• Ambassadorial Scholars, youth
exchanges, RYLA participants, GSE, Rotaract, Interact
Rotary International 11/03
Involve the Rotarian in:
• Club Committees
• Fund Raisers
• Board Meetings
• Club Meetings
• Club Social Activities
Rotary International 11/03
Assign the new club member
• As a delegate to the district conference and have them report to the club
Rotary International 11/03
Ask the new member
• To find two or three other new members from among his/her peer group
Rotary International 11/03
What can be done for small clubs?
• Continue with current recruiting/retention approach?
• Merge with another club?• Give up charter and disband?
Answer: Revitalize!
Rotary International 11/03
Revitalize a small club
• Evaluate current logistics• Draw up a demographic profile• Compile a classification survey
listing business and professional activities in your community
• Are you making full use of all types of membership?
Rotary International 11/03
Revitalize a small club
• Invigorate programs and activities– focus on service projects that make a vital
contribution to the community– establish good working relationships with the
local media
• What are your club’s best assets?• Use methods similar to new club
extension where existing nucleus is weak
Rotary International 11/03
mmeemmbbeerrsshhiipp = E+3R Extend
Recruit
Retain
Revitalize
Rotary International 11/03
Why Join Rotary?
1. The Opportunity to Serve
2. Professional Networking
3. Personal Growth and Development
4. Friendship5. Cultural Diversity
Rotary International 11/03
Why Join Rotary?
6. Good Citizenship
7. World Understanding
8. Entertainment.
9. Family Foundations
10. Ethical Environment
Rotary International 11/03
When Thomas Edison invented the
light bulb, he tried over 2000 experiments before he got it to work...
Rotary International 11/03
“I never failed once.It just happened to be a 2000-step process.” - Thomas Edison
Rotary International 11/03
An example of leadership…Edison NJ USA Rotary Club
• July 1997:• 18 members• November 1998:• 58 members• Sponsored a Rotaract Club• Sponsored Seven Interact Clubs
Rotary International 11/03
Light up your club with new members!
Rotary International 11/03
Additional resources are available at www.rotary.org