Fiordland Rotary Club, Te Anau

This is an excellent Rotary Club with 50 members – 8 new this past Rotary year! Their population base is approx. Town 1850 people. Country 1150 – total say 3000 people.

• They do fabulous projects - nothing is too big!
• They have huge fun.
• The growth in this club has largely been from the efforts of one person who has worked tirelessly over the years introducing new members to the world of Rotary. But this growth is also helped hugely by the clubs reputation!
• They do things, they have fun and they look after each other.

A comment by a new member of the Fiordland RC at the D9980 Assembly. He told us he was new to Te Anau and had previously been in a different service organisation. He decided he wanted to get involved in service clubs again, to get to know people etc. and asked a service station owner which was the best service club in the area? The reply - ROTARY!

The Service Station owner (non Rotarian) then rang the President of the RC who contacted the new resident – "I’ll pick you up and take you to Rotary". Right from the start the members of the club have shown an interest in him, made him feel welcome and part of the club.

He is now in a position of responsibility (Membership) – involved. This is a wonderful testimonial to a club which knows what it’s all about! This is a super good club in Action!

Wellington North: "Group of Four"

Small groups of members in the same geographical area, are asked to meet for a weekend lunch and toss names around. This also has the retention benefit of drawing newer members, and their partners, into a social group engendering a sense of belonging. From all reports of the meetings, by the third bottle of wine, names are flowing freely and a steady number of prospects have joined the club.

Further information from: PDG Morris Robertson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

How Did They Do That?

Marketing Strategy by Gisborne West Rotary Club

Long serving Rotarians John Logan and Richard Montgomery are attacking their role on the Membership Committee with a vengeance. The goal 10 to 15 new members average age 35! To introduce new lifeblood into the club.

They formed a committee of five then prepared a list of prospective self employed or persons in a senior position as candidates. The list was passed round the club members for approval/disapproval and/or addition of names. The selected candidates were then sent an invitation to attend a special evening. This was held at a very well known historic home. This evening was kept very business like. It was an introduction to Rotary by all of the sub committee giving a 3 minute talk on different aspects of Rotary. It was from 5.30 to 6.30pm and finger food and drinks served. It was very successful with very positive feed back.

The second evening was a “normal’ Rotary evening with a special guest speaker. We chose a very successful local business person who currently has a turn over of 50 million. His talk was titled "Dreams are Free".

The 3rd evening was with Trevor Grice (Life Education Trust) as speaker and the title of his talk was "The Challenges of Youth". This meeting included the prospective members partners/husbands/wives.

The next week they were asked to join Rotary – the indications are that we will achieve 10 to 15 new members!

I would like to emphasis the very strict adherence to times, formality and friendliness. The subcommittee has a list of potential members and they are ringing them every time there is another evening to attend. Our plan is to give any new member a mentor for twelve months. If they choose not to join after the last evening the least we will have done is create an awareness of Rotary to the younger generation and they may join at a later date.

It has been a very exciting to be part of this project.
President Kathy Sheldrake
Rotary Club of Gisborne West

Blenhiem South

Every Meeting one member is rostered to bring a guest. This means that at least 50 people each year will know more about Rotary and this gives the club the opportunity to meet them! Great Idea!

Put your Club on Display

Are there any vacant store fronts on a nearby street or in a nearby shopping mall? If so, contact the owner and ask if your Rotary Club can use a front window to display a poster and other information on your Rotary Club. Make sure to provide the names and phone numbers of some club leaders who can be contacted for more information.

More Ideas that Work!

• Select the best speakers in your club and contact organisations in your community who have a regular speakers programme. Give them an overview of Rotary and what’s in it for members. There are many professional and business networking groups that need regular speakers
• Have a club member who is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce obtain contact information on all new chamber members. Send these new businesses a welcome to the community letter and include an invitation to a free meal at your Rotary Club.
• Use the “Yellow Pages” to find home based businesses in your community. Rotary offers these entrepreneurs a unique networking and fellowship opportunity. Many people involved in home based businesses want the social involvement Rotary offers

One Tree Hill Rotary Club

• The campaigns have been given a three month time frame. Three enthusiastic members do the leg work and run the campaign.
• Give all members 10 minutes at a meeting to write down 3 names of people they know.
• Over the next two weeks ring all members to get full details of the prospects. Address, phone occupation etc.
• A "soft" letter with a detailed brochure of information about the club and Rotary International is sent to the prospects.
• 7 - 10 days later the prospect are rung using a planned approach inviting them to a social get together without obligation where more information will be shared and questions answered. At this point those who have shown an interest are sent the club “Newsletter”.
• The day after the social get together each prospect is sent an Email thanking them for attending. Any who say not yet but could be later are diaried for future follow-up.
• At all points of contact we “Love these people to death” There is a follow up get together of all new members in case there are any problems, more information or help needed.

Summary

1. Sit members down to get names.
2. Only 2 or 3 enthusiasts do the job from then on.
3. Ring members and get more details of the prospects.
4. Post prospects soft approach letter and brochure.
5. Follow up, follow up, follow up!
6. Love them to death.

Every Step is Important! Try short cuts and Expect FAILURE!

A more detailed explanation can be obtained by contacting Bede Brittenden at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rebuilding Clubs In 5 Steps

Small, struggling clubs can increase their membership. All it takes is a team of enthusiastic Rotarians to see the challenge as an opportunity to raise awareness about their club and to refocus their plans on the needs of the community. There are five critical steps in the rebuilding process.

Chances are remaining members of a struggling club may feel overburdened by club operations, and the club environment may restrict enthusiasm, fellowship, community service, and growth. Hard decisions about the club need to be made with input from club members, Governor, AG and District Membership Chair.

The 5 Steps:
The five step process can provide positive results for clubs who are committed to growth and rebuilding. An intense desire and commitment among membership is a prerequisite for success.

Step 1: Club Assessment:
The assessment needs an internal and external focus to determine changes required to attract new members. Internally, this relates to how the club functions by rating the meeting quality, leadership, committees, and activities.

A candid assessment of the club will identify strengths and weaknesses. Externally, assess the club’s image in the community. interview recent speakers, public officials, former members and chamber of commerce members. Conduct a community assessment to determine ways to expand service projects and attract members.

Answers to the following questions will determine what is best for the club.

• How long has the club struggled?
• When did the membership start to fall?
• Have attempts been made to grow?
• What circumstances are responsible for the clubs membership decline?
• What services is the club providing to the community?
• Are there people in the club who are capable of attracting and keeping new members?
• Is it possible to build upon the existing membership?
• Would it be better to encourage the club to disband and start a new club? Serious stuff but it is an option!!!!!!

Membership Satisfaction Survey Forms:
These forms are in one of the Club Manuals given out pre PETS to the Presidents Elects of each club. If you can’t find them ask your DG, RIMC/ RIZMC for a copy of the form. There are also a number of simpler forms developed by clubs which do the job reasonably well.

Step 2: Establish Committment to Change
Based on the assessment results, the club may have to consider changes, such as:

• Dropping traditional fund-raisers and programmes.
• Giving club leadership to new members.
• Making the meetings more efficient and worthwhile.
• Changing the meeting location, day, time, and length of meeting.
• Reducing membership Costs!!

Step 3: Obtain Assistance
Potential resources include the Governor, Assistant Governor, District membership Comm. RIMC/RIZMC, and members of clubs in the District that have had success with membership growth. They can help identify prospects, help recruiting process, and increase meeting attendance.

Step 4: Recruitment, Planning and Preparation
The process contains several steps:

1. Formulate a timetable. For example:
   • Jan 1 – identify a chair and organise every club member into teams of 5 members.
   • Jan 15 – Order membership development materials from RI.
   • Jan 20 – Update or design and print a club brochure.
   • Feb 1 - Develop a prospect list.
   • Feb 15 – Teams make personal contact with prospects.
   • March 1 – 2nd Contact with interested prospects.
   • March 30 – Host meeting for new and potential members.
   • April 1 – 30 – New members can provide further names of prospects.
   • May 1 – Complete the rebuilding effort, but do not stop recruiting – that is ongoing.
2. Set an aggressive goal for the minimum number of new members. The club needs a definite goal and time line. Plan a celebration when the goal is reached but have an explicit membership goal.
3. Order recruitment materials from RI. Including:
   • How to Propose a New Member (254.- EN)
   • Membership Development Package (916 – EN)
   • Membership Development Resource Guide (417 – EN)
   • Rotary Basics (595 - EN)
   • This is Rotary (001 - EN)
   • What is Rotary? ( 419 – EN)
   • The ABC’s of Rotary (363 – EN)
4. Establish Teams
   The most effective membership recruitment strategy is to organise the club into teams of 5 Rotarians. Often called “5 for 1” teams. Each team will recruit one new member in a set time period such as three months. The team needs a member knowledgeable about Rotary, a member with business or professional contacts and a member prepared to make the “Ask”. If necessary enlist the help of Rotarians from other clubs to assist or be members of some of the teams.
5. Recruitment Effort
   The effort is similar to building a new club.
   • Follow-up with prospective leads with two members from the team. During the first meeting, explain Rotary and the rebuilding effort. Present “This is Rotary” brochure and the clubs own brochure. Show the prospect a list of the clubs current members and their vocations.
   • Explain the advantages of Rotary membership, the requirements, commitment and costs. Give examples of current and past service projects.
   • Refer the prospect to another Rotary Club if they are interested in Rotary but your meeting time or location presents an obstacle to membership.
   • Invite the prospect as a visitor and then follow up with the “Ask” and invite the prospects to be a valued part of the newly rebuilt club. Post the prospects name with the club but do not delay the approval process. Call a special board meeting to obtain prompt approval.

Repeat the 5 Steps every six months.
These steps are designed for renewal of a small club but work just as well for a club of any size.