FAQs about Resources Available to Clubs

Q: Why it is important for me to know about Rotary resources?
A: Club members will look to you for guidance and answers. Although you may not know all the answers, you will be expected to know where to find them. The important thing to remember is that none of us has all the answers to everything. District events are learning experiences for all who attend.

Q: What resources are available at the Club level?
A: Past Club leaders, Club members, spouses and families of Club members, leaders in your community and leaders and members of other Clubs. Take advantage of the experience base within your own Club as well as that of other Clubs. Most Clubs have Rotary publications available, e.g. The ABC of Rotary.

Q: Who is available in the District to support Club Presidents?
A: The District Governor, Assistant Governors, District Committee chairs and members, Past District Governors and past District officers.

Q: How can I find District leaders who can help me?
A: Look through the District Directory. It includes the names and contact information for all the District leaders. Contact your AG or DG. Read the DG’s monthly newsletter.

Q: Is information available on a web site?
A: In addition to the national website, www.rotary.org.nz, District 9940 now has it own website, www.rotary9940.org.nz, with all contact information available on the site. You can find details of the District Internet Chair in the District Directory. The District Governor’s monthly Newsletter is now only available on the District website.

Q: Can our club have its own website?
A: All Clubs are now listed on the District site and key details are available. Your Club can update the site with more details at any time. When will your club go ahead so that you can provide information for other clubs to access? You will need to appoint a person responsible for this who can then follow the instructions on the site. If your Club already has its own website, the District site can also be used as a gateway to your Club's website. If your club’s website has not been loaded or updated, “under construction” will appear when you search.

Q: What resources can I obtain from Rotary International that will provide me with more information?
A: The Official Directory, the RI web site - www.rotary.org, the Manual of Procedure, 'The Rotarian' or 'Rotary Down Under', 'Rotary World', the 'Rotary Newsbasket', the RI Catalogue.

Q: Who can I go to when I want information?
A: The Southwest Pacific Service Centre details are in the District Directory, the Zone RI Director (see the District Directory), RI and Rotary Foundation task Forces (see the Official Directory), RI staff at Evanston.

Q: Why is the community an important resource for our Rotary Club?
A: The community knows its needs better than anyone else. It is also a Club’s only source of new members.

Q: What are some useful community resources for our Club?
A: Other service organisations and non-profit groups. Local schools. Government offices. Community vocational programmes. Hospitals and other health concerns. The Chamber of Commerce or other local business groups. Local charitable trusts.

Q: What are the five key stages of new member education?
A: Information, invitation, induction, orientation, and continuing education.

Q: How have other Clubs addressed new member orientation?
A: New member orientation programmes scheduled both before and after induction. Assign a new member to be the greeter or to introduce the guest speaker. Introduce a “commencement” programme, where all Club members who join in the same Rotary year work together on a project or meet for a social occasion. Encourage all new members to serve on a Club committee and participate in a service project immediately following their induction. Establish a tradition of dignified and meaningful induction ceremonies for new members.

Q: Who, in our Club, can educate new members?
A: Every member of the Club can play an active role in the education of new members. By involving existing members in the new member education process, you help ensure that both they and the new members are current on Club, District and RI information.

Q: Why is it important to continue the Rotary education of existing members?
A: A high turnover rate in existing Clubs is one of the most pressing membership issues that faces Rotary today. Rotary is a dynamic organisation. Keeping members informed about changes and opportunities will ensure that they remain in the Club as challenged, motivated and enthusiastic participants.

Q: How can we make education a priority within our Club?
A: One of the most important principles of membership growth is to ensure membership retention. Education is fundamental to retaining current members. An involved Rotarian is much less likely to lose interest in an active Club.

Q: What are some of the most effective ways to increase membership retention?
A: Invite every Rotarian to become personally involved in Club projects and activities. Encourage Club-wide participation in community service and Rotary Foundation programmes. Use surveys to identify what is important to your members and give every Rotarian a voice in your Club. Conduct a minimum of four Club programmes every year that address issues related to continuing education. Take part in multi-Club meetings for the purpose of addressing continuing education. Participate in District level meetings and events. Encourage Rotarians to read items related to continuing education in the District Governor’s monthly letter and the Rotary News Basket and/or Rotary magazines as sources. Include membership items in your Club bulletin.

Q: Could every current member of our Club assist with new member orientation?
A: Educating members about Rotary and giving them active roles to play is an excellent tool for retaining current members. Educated members can help new members to develop the knowledge base necessary to function effectively as a Club member and help the entire Club to be successful.

Q: What lessons can our Club learn from the loss of a member?
A: Some Clubs conduct exit interviews to find out why a member is leaving the Club. The results can often be a valuable addition to a membership retention programme. As Club President you will have a great deal of influence among the Rotarians in your Club, yet you cannot manage everything yourself.

Q: What resources could we use to educate new members and keep existing members knowledgeable?
A: Club bulletins, Rotary in a Minute (presentations at Club meetings), the District Directory, the District Governor’s monthly newsletter, Rotary’s web site, www.rotary.org the District web site, www.rotary9940.org.nz, 'The Rotarian' and 'RDU'.

Q: What committees could I use to promote Rotary education in our Club?
A: District Committees.

Q: What are some specific resources available to our Club for educating new members?
A: There is a wide range of resources available from the office in Parramatta in Australia - see RI Catalogue.

Q: Where do we go to find materials for our Club library that will support a new member orientation Programme?
A: The RI Catalogue, the RI web page, District Membership Committee.

Q: Several of our members have discussed starting a new Club within our community. Where do we look to find the policies that govern this process?
A: The Manual of Procedure. The name of the relevant policy is “Additional Clubs”. Membership Task Group details are in the District Directory.

Q: What else will I find in the District Directory?
A: Much of the above and more!