Membership is at the heart of any successful club and hopefully we all look forward to meeting up with friends each fortnight. The social side is important and hence the informal nights we have as well as social meetings arranged within committees all help keep members and partners involved.
We should enjoy participating in club activities such as Bookarama, Blankets 4 Kids 4 Winter, and Fun Run, where we are working together towards a common goal. We should also enjoy the occasion and celebrate our successes together.
A current issue now of course is that we have a declining, and also an ageing membership. This has increased the workload for some. That cannot continue unless we cut back on our projects. That would be a shame as our club does achieve a lot for the size of its membership. We should all be proud of that.
There is of course a solution!
For our club to continue to be vibrant, and to be able to contribute to the community to the extent we now do, we need to increase membership. This is every member’s responsibility. Each one of us was asked to join by a member. Have we followed up by asking others?
We need a concerted effort giving consideration to family members, work colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances, friends from other groups to which we belong, business connections, couples, etc. If we do not ask we may be missing the opportunity not only to gain a new member, but also to provide someone we know with the opportunities we have had through being a member of this club.
How could we all go about this?
1. Think of people we know. Remember to think broadly in terms of both gender and ethnicity. Think ‘outside the square.’
2. Invite them along to a meeting as your guest. Be careful here with the choice of meeting. Look for one that shows the work we do or one with a particularly interesting speaker. The club will pick up the cost for the visitor’s dinner and drink.
3. Ensure they have an enjoyable evening. Introduce them around, not as a prospective member, but as your guest. Sit with a group that will involve them in conversation. (We do not want to put people off by referring to them as a ‘prospective member.’)
4. A few days after the meeting follow up to see how they enjoyed their time at the club. Talk a little about Rotary and see if they would like to know more about what Rotary does.
5. Arrange to meet again and if you wish invite one of the members of the membership committee to come as well to talk about the work Rotary does both locally and internationally and in particular what our club has as its primary focus areas.
6. We do have a handout,
‘Rotary in Nutshell’ (click to see document)which can be given at this stage. This provides more specific information about our club and outlines matters relating to fee costs so this information is all up front.
7. Invite them to a second meeting, again ensuring they are well looked after. Costs are again at the Club’s expense.
8. It is then time to talk about becoming a member and addressing any issues they may have. Often there is a concern over commitment and time. Our advice is that family always comes first, then their work, and then maybe they have some time to give to Rotary when it is needed. The commitment is not great these years apart from a couple of pressure times. All that is expected is that people do what they can with the time they do have. Talk to the membership committee about bringing them in as a new member.
9. Once a new member is inducted a club ‘mentor’ will be appointed to ensure all is progressing well. It is however up to all of us to make sure new members are included in conversations and are given assistance with tasks where they may well not be sure how things work.
Remember, membership is every member’s responsibility. The membership committee will do all it can to facilitate the process and to provide advice and support as required.
So how about it! Let’s see what we can achieve together simply by asking.
Ian
Membership Convenor
Rotary Club of Howick
P.O. Box 38112,
Howick
Auckland
