Club Growth Task Force

Club Growth Task force

Under the direction of Chairman Andy Calamaras, PDG, the Task Force was designed to concentrate on Clubs in distress that are unable to increase membership, have not growth programs, may not have projects and in general cannot attract new members for all or any of the above reasons. The tools are education, hands on support, by the Chairman and neighboring Clubs and the District Administration. The purpose is to make a concerted effort to assist the Club using the same tools and ideas that are used to create/sponsor a new club. The process and the problems are similar

ATTRACTIVE AND EFFECTIVE CLUBS

Hugs vs. Shrugs

Because we hear so much about the importance of Membership Retention we should focus on converting new Rotarians in to Rotary "lifers" in the first few months in your club. While fun meetings and good programs are important components of attracting them into Rotary in the first place, once they join all too often the new member is quickly ignored or forgotten, left to fend for themselves. No wonder 80% of all Rotary drops occur in the first two years of membership. This can be easily changed in any club.

At the Columbia-Patuxent Rotary Club, Columbia, MD (D7620  USA) Past President and former Club Membership Chair, Darrell Nevin, implemented a successful program to avoid this commonplace occurrence. Over the past 5 years it has resulted in an almost 100% increase in membership in his club with an 85% retention rating. The program is a combination of a "fireside chat" with a 3-month checklist for the new member to jump starts their involvement in the club.

After the prospect's application has been fully approved, they are invited to lunch with the Club President, Membership Chair and their sponsor. The purpose of this business meeting with business people is to discuss the business of Rotary. Areas covered in this one-hour meeting are the:

• History of RI and the club
• Club's goals and objectives
• Lanes of service and their specific activities
• Good works of the Rotary Foundation around the world
• Financial obligations of the new member

But most importantly the new member learns what is expected of them as a new Rotarian. RI only requires them to pay their dues and achieve 60% attendance.  In Columbia-Patuxent's fireside chat, the new member learns about a few more requirements and about 10 expectations the club has of them. This is clearly spelled out in the Fireside Chat Guidelines given to each new member and covers such things as: working on or at the fundraiser events, attending club social functions, becoming a Paul Harris Sustaining Member, picking up trash on Adopt-A-Road days, and cleaning the pots and pans at their annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors.

This extensive and detailed summary is Columbia-Patuxent's attempt to effectively manage the new member's expectations. Like any good business model, managing your employee's expectations is a key first step toward company loyalty. Columbia-Patuxent views their new members as their new 'employees' of Rotary. Says Nevin:  "When I joined my club, no one told me diddly squat about Rotary's rich history or the club's expectations of me as a new member. It took me three years to learn just the basics, not to mention everyone's name! Now our new members are fully informed before they join and know what to expect and what is expected of them after they join."

Also covered in the Fireside Chat is the 3-month checklist that spells out the things the club wants the new member to do during their first three months in the club. These items are designed to fully engage them in club activities and personal contact with as many members as possible right out of the box. Completing the list entitles them to full 'Blue Badge' honors, replacing their new-member red badge.

First, BE A GREETER. What better way to meet everyone in the club than to join the regularly scheduled greeter at the front door and meet the members as they arrive. Columbia-Patuxent asks them to do this for the first 2-4 weeks after induction. At one point last year when they brought in 17 new members in 9 months, there were as many as 5 new members in a receiving line at the front door!

DO A MAKE-UP. Whether they 'need' to or not, have them visit another club nearby so they can get to know some other Rotarians, experience that club's esprit de corps, and see what it is like to be a 'visiting Rotarian.'

ATTEND A BOARD MEETING. This is where the club's business is generated and managed. Why not have the new members exposed to the inner workings of the club right from the get go?

ATTEND THE NEXT CLUB SOCIAL FUNCTION. What better way to get to know the family of Rotary than joining them in their social activities. Columbia-Patuxent has one scheduled almost every month. Jump right in. Bring your spouse.

DO YOUR CLASSIFICATION TALK. Let us get to know you, your family, and your profession better. Dazzle us with your life story. Be creative.

BECOME A PHF SUSTAINING MEMBER OF THE FOUNDATION. Cut that $100 unrestricted check right away. Learn to do it every year. Know that it is the life blood of the Foundation's good works all over the world and that half of it comes back to the District in three years to fund local projects.

JOIN A COMMITTEE. Lane directors and committee chairs will be watching you! If they have half a brain, they'll be approaching you about joining their group. Take you time evaluating each of their goals and objectives, but do select at least one to serve on.

BRING A GUEST. Share your Rotary experience early and often with F.R.A.N.K. (Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors and their Kids!). Giving the gift of Rotary to others is the lifeblood of every strong Rotary club. No need to wait until you feel adequately qualified. We are always looking for a few more good men and women like you.

The club's membership chair appoints someone on his committee to regularly "check the checklist." Since they're all volunteers, that someone must be gentle in their approach. At Columbia-Patuxent, that person is referred to as the Den Mother (you can call him/her whatever is comfortable.) As more and more new members climb on board, the role of the Den Mother grows in importance. Columbia-Patuxent now includes the Den Mother in the fireside chat so the new member knows up front what role that person will be playing in their rookie year.

The above gives the new member a framework of activities to get started on the right foot with their Rotary career. It gets them fully engaged in the club's activities and helps them get acquainted quickly. And as their confidence rises, so too does their commitment to Rotary. It is that combination that creates the Rotary "Lifer" experience. The quicker your club can get them there, the better off your club will be and ultimately your community as well.

Darrell Nevin, District 7620