Club Membership Committee Manual
Club Membership Committee Manual
Club Membership Committee Manual
226B-EN(512)
Contents
Introduction 1 Committee Role and Responsibilities
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3 Resources
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This is the 2012 edition of the Club Membership Committee Manual. It is intended for use by 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16 club committees. The information in this publication is based on the Standard Rotary Club Constitution, the Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws, the Constitution of Rotary International, the Bylaws of Rotary International, and the Rotary Code of Policies. Please refer to those resources for exact guidelines. Changes to these documents, by the Council on Legislation or the RI Board, override policy as stated in this publication. Photos: Alyce Henson and Monika Lozinska-Lee
Introduction
The Club Membership Committee Manual was developed to help Rotary club membership committees establish goals and understand their responsibilities related to increasing the clubs membership. Because committee responsibilities vary according to area laws, cultural practices, and established club procedures, you should adapt the suggestions in this publication to fit your clubs needs. This publication includes three chapters. The first describes the major responsibilities of your committee. The second describes responsibilities specific to you as the chair of the committee. The third contains resources that may be useful for you and committee members. Following the third chapter are discussion questions to be completed before the district assembly and worksheets that will be used there, so be sure to bring this manual with you. Each committee has a manual that provides an overview of the committee and its responsibilities (club administration, membership, public relations, service projects, and The Rotary Foundation). Additional copies of this manual can be downloaded at no charge at www.rotary.org. This manual is part of the Club Officers Kit (225). However, each manual can be purchased separately at shop.rotary.org.
Share chapter 1 with committee members so they are fully aware of the committees responsibilities.
As you prepare to help lead your club, remember that it is a member of Rotary International. Through this membership, it is linked to more than 34,000 Rotary clubs worldwide and granted access to the organizations services and resources, including publications in nine languages, information at www.rotary.org, grants from TheRotary Foundation, and staff support at world headquarters and the international offices.
INTRODUCTION
Comments?
Direct questions or comments about this manual or any of RIs training resources to: Leadership Education and Training Division Rotary International One Rotary Center 1560 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60201-3698 USA Email: [email protected] Phone: +1-847-866-3000 Fax: +1-847-866-9446
INTRODUCTION
The role of the membership committee is to develop and implement an action plan for membership development. To be effective, a Rotary club needs members. Your clubs ability to serve the community, support The Rotary Foundation, and develop leaders capable of serving Rotary beyond the club level is directly related to the size and strength of its membership base. The responsibilities of the club membership committee, summarized below, are explained more fully in this chapter: Develop committee goals to achieve club membership goals for the coming year.
The club membership committees work will address the Club, Vocational, and New Generations Avenues of Service.
Educate and train club members about the importance of recruitment and retention of members. Conduct classification surveys to ensure that club members occupations and businesses reflect current business and community needs. Develop a membership action plan to improve member satisfaction that involves surveying members and initiating changes in response to their feedback to ensure that the club remains relevant to its members.
Subcommittees can be created to manage the committees various responsibilities, especially if you have a large club.
Conduct club assessments to ensure that membership development and retention efforts are successful. Work with the public relations committee to create a positive club image that is attractive to prospective and current members. Sponsor newly organized clubs in your district, if applicable. As you read more about these responsibilities, think about your committee goals, what your action plan will be, and what resources you will need for your year.
Membership Development
Developing your clubs membership requires identifying and attracting potential members and keeping current members. New members bring fresh ideas and new energy to a club. Current members are crucial to continuing your clubs good works. To recruit new members, the membership committee sets goals, develops a plan for achieving them, and communicates with club members in order to implement the plan. Although the committee leads the clubs recruiting efforts, recruiting is a responsibility of each member. The membership committee should encourage all members to ask friends, family, business associates, and other community members to join. Retention efforts should be a priority for the membership committee. Conduct club and member assessments regularly to determine your clubs strengths and weaknesses. Ensuring that members are informed, involved, and recognized for their club contributions will increase member satisfaction. Monitoring trends in project participation and engagement, length of membership, fellowship activity, and contributions to The Rotary Foundation can reveal concerns that may need to be addressed. The process for developing a Rotary club member often includes the following stages: Identify Introduce Invite Induct Inform and orient Involve Educate Identify. Identify members of your community who are a good fit for your club. Careful selection of members will increase your clubs retention rate and reinforce positive attitudes toward new-member induction.
Conduct the classification survey, membership diversity assessment, and 25-minute membership survey to identify potential members in the community. To find these tools, search for Club Assessment Tools at www.rotary.org.
Use the classification survey and membership diversity assessment to determine how well your club represents the professional diversity of your community and to target recruiting efforts to help your club better represent the professional community. Introduce. Introduce prospective members to Rotary by describing what your club does, your clubs successful community and international service projects, and Rotary International programs. Develop a program that provides prospective members with an overview of: Your club and its history and a description of its primary or signature projects and activities Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation The benefits and value of membership in your club The various opportunities to get in involved in club activities A prospective member who has been introduced to Rotary by enthusiastic Rotarians, and who is well informed in these areas before joining, is more likely to become an involved and active member. The committee should compile a club profile that can be presented to visitors. Consider also providing the Prospective Member Information Kit (423), which includes publications to introduce RI and its Foundation. Order the kit on shop.rotary.org. Invite. Invite prospective members to join with a visit from both the proposer and a member of the membership committee. Rotarians extending the invitation should know the interests and expertise of the prospective member in order to point out activities and projects that would be of interest to them. If the candidate meets qualifications for membership, your committee should submit the proposal to the clubs board of directors, along with reasons for proposing the candidate.
Before inviting someone to become a Rotarian, make sure that the prospective member is fully aware of the opportunities to get involved in club service projects and activities and of the financial obligations of membership.
Induct. Induct new members in a dignified and meaningful way. Invite family members to attend the induction ceremony. During the ceremony, ask new members to talk briefly about themselves, their work, and their families. Ensure that all club members personally introduce themselves to each new member. Your Rotary club should provide a new member with the following items: Rotary lapel pin Membership card Club information Club name badge District directory District governors monthly communication The Rotarian or Rotary regional magazine List of local clubs and e-clubs for make-up meetings
Communicate with the club administration committee to ensure that the new member and sponsor are recognized on your clubs website and other communications. Inform and orient. Inform new members about your club and RI by focusing on the following areas: Opportunities for service and involvement The benefits of being a member of the club The clubs history and impact on the community Club administrative details Consider scheduling a new-member orientation program that extends over several sessions. See New Member Orientation: A How-to Guide for Clubs (414). Involve. Ensure that all club members are involved in club projects, committees, activities, fundraisers, board meetings, club meetings, and social activities. An involved member will feel part of the club and make Rotary a priority in his or her life. Consider these suggestions for involving new members: Assign new members to a committee or give them a role at club meetings.
Make sure that members are well-informed about RI programs such as Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotaract, and RYLA. Involvement in one of these programs often sparks a lifelong interest in Rotary.
Create special name badges for new members to wear for one year. Encourage other members to look for the badges and make a special effort to talk with the new member. Have a new member serve as a delegate to the district conference. Some clubs assist the new member by paying part or all of the registration fee and costs of the conference. After the conference, ask the new member to share with the club what he/she learned. Have all club members who join during the same Rotary year work together on a project. Encourage new members to experience the internationality of Rotary by attending the RI convention or hosting visiting Rotarians for a meal or other activity. Ask new members to find two or three potential members within their peer group. When new members promote Rotary to their friends, they become more enthusiastic themselves. Educate. Members who feel informed and involved are more likely to remain actively engaged in club programs, projects, and initiatives. Clubs should also regularly communicate news from Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation to their members. Consider the following activities: Regular club assemblies to discuss which club activities members want to continue and which they want to change Participation of club members in multidistrict meetings that address continuing education Presentation by your Rotary coordinator, Rotary public image coordinator, regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, or Rotary Foundation alumni coordinator
Participation in club-level webinars held by Rotary International Leadership training to develop potential leaders and for personal development. Use Leadership Development: Your Guide to Starting a Program (250). Refer to the Membership Development Resource Guide (417) for more information on developing an action plan. Use your club and district websites, social media sites, weekly meetings and emails, and club newsletters to share information from your district governor or Rotary International. RI publications are also excellent continuing education tools. By reading publications like The Rotarian or Rotary regional magazines, club members can stay current on Rotary activities worldwide. Encourage members to visit www.rotary.org and to connect with Rotarys social media pages to stay current on events and resources.
Diversity
Your clubs membership should accurately reflect the community in terms of profession, age, gender, and ethnicity. One way to ensure diversity in your club is to conduct regular classification surveys and membership diversity assessments. Having a diverse membership will result in a wider range of experience and knowledge that will be useful for your clubs service efforts. Membership diversity can also make it easier to attract prospective members in your community. RI policy prohibits limitations on membership in Rotary clubs based on gender, race, color, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation. See RI Bylaws, Article 4.070.
Club Image
A clubs image is directly related to its ability to attract new members. The club should highlight the specific values and benefits it provides its members, and communicate those values to prospective members. With consistent public image efforts, individuals will seek out local clubs and be more inclined to accept invitations to join. The membership committee should work with the public relations committee to coordinate public image efforts. Develop a club website that contains current photos and contact information, depicts your clubs projects and goals, and includes details about your club meetings and events. Graphics and Web banners that can be downloaded and embedded on your club website are available at www.rotary.org/graphics. Your club should consider using social network sites, digital audio, streaming video, podcasts, and blogs in efforts to attract new members. To obtain help in developing these resources, consider targeting professionals in marketing, public relations, and Web technology in your membership recruitment efforts.
RI organizes webinars on topics such as a clubs online presence and membership retention best practices. Webinar announcements, registration for sessions, and video recordings are available at www.rotary.org/webinars.
To prepare for your term as committee chair, learn what will be expected of you and your committee by the clubs board of directors and members, your district, and Rotary International. There are several things you should do before you take office to prepare for your role. In addition to attending training sessions at the district assembly, you should Meet with the outgoing committee chair Review your clubs bylaws to become familiar with your clubs procedures and regulations Review your clubs strategic plan and develop annual goals to support it
Answer the discussion questions at the end of this manual to prepare for the district assembly.
Select and prepare your committee members with the presidentelect Create subcommittees as needed (identifying new members, retention, new-member orientation, and mentoring) Develop a communication plan for the year Determine what additional responsibilities or duties your club has for your committee
All incoming committee members should attend the district membership seminar to learn the districts membership goals, discuss membership strategies, and learn what resources are available.
Good preparation will lead to a productive year. Once you take office, you will have the following major responsibilities: Manage your committees budget. Work with other committees in your club and your district committee on multiclub activities or initiatives. Plan and conduct regular committee meetings and activities. Monitor progress toward your committee goals, and report committee activities and progress to the club president, board of directors, and the full club.
Your Committee
Work with the president-elect to select committee members to fill vacancies and conduct planning meetings before the start of the year. For continuity, committee members should be appointed for three years. When selecting new members, consider the following characteristics: Professional experience in recruiting, marketing, or sales Thorough knowledge of Rotary Outgoing and sociable personality Once your committee is formed, it is your responsibility to prepare members for the coming Rotary year. Determine how to use the skills and interests of your members and delegate tasks accordingly. You can prepare committee members by Informing them of the committees ongoing activities and plans related to the clubs strategic plan Pairing new committee members with more experienced ones Encouraging communication with counterparts in other clubs using the district directory Sharing the resources available to your committee Giving members a list of district activities and meetings
Goal setting
Various planning tools are available to clubs, including Be a Vibrant Club: Your Club Leadership Plan and the Strategic Planning Guide.
As the chair of your committee, you are responsible for ensuring that it sets and achieves its annual goals to support the clubs strategic plan. Youll have an opportunity to work on goal setting with your president-elect and other incoming club leaders at the district assembly. RI is developing an online tool to help clubs submit their goals via Member Access. Effective goals. Be sure that the annual goals reflect committee capabilities and club interests. Goals should be shared, measurable, challenging, achievable, and time specific.
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Action plan. Work with club leaders and committee members to develop an action plan that outlines the steps needed to achieve each goal. The following steps can help: Establish a time frame for each step. Determine who is responsible for implementing each step. Establish the criteria for measuring progress and success for each step. Consider the resources available and needed from your club, district, and RI to support the goal. Decide how you will evaluate success in attaining your goals, and whether baseline data is needed. Regularly assess your goals to ensure that steady progress is being made toward achieving them, and adjust if necessary. Motivation. Part of your responsibility is keeping your committee members motivated. Common motivators include: Assurance that the goal will be beneficial Belief that the goal is achievable and will be successful Opportunities for fellowship and networking Assignments that use each members expertise Recognition of efforts and time spent working toward committee goals Using these motivating factors can help maintain member commitment to Rotary and encourage continued participation in club activities.
budget
Before 1 July, work with the outgoing committee chair and the club treasurer to determine what funds your committee will need and that these funds are included in the clubs budget. Be sure to include any planned fundraising activities. Provide oversight of committee funds, transactions, and reports, and be aware of the financial condition of your committees budget at all times. By meeting regularly with your clubs treasurer, you can take action if issues arise.
Communication
Think about how you will communicate with the following club leaders. Committee members. Committees should meet regularly and identify available resources, discuss ongoing projects and new initiatives, and develop strategies to achieve committee and club goals.
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Your club. Report your committees activities, including action plans and progress toward goals, to your clubs president, board, and all club members. Other committees. The work of one committee affects the work of another. Your committee should work with the following club committees: Public relations committee (to elevate the image of your club in the community, making it more attractive to potential members and building pride among current members) Service projects committee (to ensure that service projects are relevant to club members and the community) Club administration committee (to plan programs that address members personal needs and interests) Your district. If your committee needs guidance or information, contact your district counterpart or your assistant governor. Your region. Your Rotary coordinator is available to help your club with its membership questions. Find the Rotary coordinator in your region at www.rotary.org.
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Resources
Many resources are available to help your committee fulfill its role. Download resources at www.rotary.org, or order them at shop.rotary .org, by email at [email protected], or from your international office. Membership Development Resource Guide (417) Booklet outlining steps to help clubs develop a membership development action plan for recruiting and retaining members; Coordinates with online Club Assessment Tools www.rotary.org RI website, aimed at helping club leaders gather information about effective club operations, providing links to club administration, membership, public relations, service projects, and Rotary Foundation information and to club-level resource pages How to Propose a New Member (254) Brochure outlining the procedure for selecting and electing members; includes a Membership Proposal Form New Member Orientation: A How-to Guide for Clubs (414) Resource for clubs prospective and new-member information programs that includes sample program outlines, action steps, worksheets, and resource listings
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ResOURCes
Official Directory (007) Contact information for RI and Foundation officers, committees, resource groups, and Secretariat staff; worldwide listing of districts and governors; alphabetical listing of clubs within districts, including contact information (available in Member Access) Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws Legal document that expands on club operations guidelines in the club constitution Standard Rotary Club Constitution Framework for Rotary club operations that includes policy on membership RI newsletters Electronic newsletters targeting specific Rotaryrelated topics, such as membership, polio, public relations, and TheRotary Foundation Awards RI and Rotary Foundation awards and recognition programs, including the RI Membership Development and Extension Award, RI Recognition of Membership Development Initiatives, the RI Recognition of Smaller Club Membership Growth, and the Reach One, Keep One (recognition of new member sponsors and retention) www.rotary.org/awards Rotary E-Learning Center Brief modules designed for independent study by new members and club officers
Order on shop.rotary.org
Membership Video Set (427) Two DVDs (one for new members, one for prospective members), each featuring a compilation of Rotary videos New Member Information Kit (426) Provides new members with essential information about Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation Prospective Member Information Kit (423) Basic information on Rotary, The Rotary Foundation, and the responsibilities of club membership Start with Rotary postcards (614) and wallet cards (613) Can be used as invitations for prospective members to attend a Rotary club meeting
human Resources
Find contact information in the Official Directory, at www.rotary.org, or from your district governor. District governor RI officer responsible for advising on strategies to make your club more effective Assistant governor Rotarian appointed to assist the governor with the administration of designated clubs. Your assistant governor will visit your club quarterly (or more often) and is available to answer questions or provide advice. Other club committee chairs in your district Leaders who can serve as a resource to help support your clubs projects and initiatives
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ResOURCes
Past club committee chairs and leaders Knowledgeable Rotarians who can advise you as you plan your year and who can be assigned to lead committee activities Rotary coordinators Rotarians appointed by the RI president to serve as a resource within a specific region Contact Center A team available to answer questions; can be reached at [email protected] or toll-free (within U.S. and Canada) at 866-9-ROTARY (866-976-8279). Rotarians outside North America should continue to contact their international office.
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ResOURCes
What controls are in place to ensure that new members are informed and included?
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Worksheet 1: notes
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Worksheet 2: Goals
Use this worksheet to draft a long-range goal and annual goals for three years to reach the long-range goal. Ensure that your goals are: Shared. Those who participate in setting a goal and developing strategies to achieve that goal are committed to implementing it. Measurable. A goal should provide a tangible point to pursue. Challenging. A goal should be ambitious enough to go beyond what your club has accomplished in the past. Achievable. Rotarians should be able to accomplish the goal with the resources available. Time specific. A goal should have a deadline or timeline.
Long-range goal (goal for your club three years from now)
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Action step
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how long will this how will progress What resources step take? be measured? are available?
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5.
Resources needed
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Case study 1
After only three months of being a member of a Rotary club, John is asked to be the clubs president-elect. When John becomes president, the club members are unhappy that he is changing things. John is overwhelmed and doesnt know whom to turn to for help. What should he do?
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Case study 3
The Rotary Club of Mountain Point is in an area with a mix of indigenous groups and people from abroad. The club is made up primarily of expatriates who work in the industrial sector flourishing in the region. Young professionals have moved to the area, attracted by its strong economic growth. The club has 20 members, and did not add any last year. How can the club identify sources of new members within the community?
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how long will this how will progress What resources step take? be measured? are available?
2.
3.
4.
5.
What did you learn that you can apply to your club?
Resources needed
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# New members inducted # Existing members terminated % Existing members terminated # Existing members active # New members active # New members terminated % New members terminated
% Net gain/loss
Establish the time frame you wish to study by entering a Start Date in the top box of the retention model and an End Date in the bottom box. (We recommend a time frame between three and five years.) In the Start Date box, enter the number of active members who were in the club on that date. In the End Date box, enter the number of active members who were in the club on that date and calculate the % Net gain/loss by:
(End Date number of members Start Date number of members) * 100 Start Date number of members = % Net gain/loss
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In the New members inducted box, enter the number of new members inducted between the Start Date and End Date. In the New members terminated box, enter the number of new members who were terminated before the end date and calculate the % New members terminated by:
New members terminated * 100 New members inducted = % New members terminated
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Goal
potential Challenge
Administration
Membership
Public Relations
Service Projects
Rotary Foundation
Other
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One Rotary Center 1560 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60201-3698 USA www.rotary.org
226B-EN(512)