Rotary Hears About Membership Growth and Retention
October 27, 2015
By: Stephen Kent
Rich Fleming
Rich Fleming, District 6310 Membership Chairperson, spoke to Rotary about membership growth and retention. Like all service clubs, Rotary has seen membership decline slightly over recent years. There are many thoughts as to why this is happening and they have sparked discussions about how best to reverse the trend. With the anticipated success and conclusion of the international effort to eradicate Polio, Rotary is beginning to change its focus to membership.
Rotary actually saw an increase in membership from 2014 (1.189 million members) to 2015 (1.209 members). But the goal was 1.28 million. In the period from 2007 to 2014 RI lost 28,000. That's a small percentage, but a loss none the less. The RI goal for 2016 is an average increase of one member per club. That's not much but adds up and would be a net increase.
The Bay City Noon club membership has been been in the 90 to 100 range for the last few years. But that's an overall decline from the 130 range some ten years ago. New members are added regularly, but other members resign.
Current statistics for Bay City show 63% male and 37% female members. The average age is 60 and the average years of service is 15.7. There are 93 members now, there were 106 five years ago and 129 ten years ago. Average attendance is in the 55% range.
For 2015-16 the regional membership plan has three goals:
Strengthen Clubs
Member Attraction
Member Engagement
Each of these goals has it own objectives. Under strengthening clubs is to build dedicated District and club membership teams. Other point include utilizing resources, doing a club assessment, and improving awareness of Rotary in the community.
Member attraction will concentrate on club growth. Age, gender and diversity are guiding principles. Member engagement will emphasise member satisfaction and member retention.
Rich went on to enumerate key performance indicators, district plans, and a long list of practical ideas. His "answer to membership problems is a nine letter word: AskAskAsk." If we don't ask people to join, they won't seek us out. Rich encouraged everyone to have a ready answer to the question "why am I a Rotarian". He also suggested having a Rotary story ready.
A final point is one that is heard ever time a new member is inducted: wear your pin. As Rich said "THE PIN GETS YOU IN!".
CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Brenda began the meeting by having Lee Newton talk abuot the World Polio Live Stream viewing party that was held at the Bay City Times last Friday. A small number of members attended, but those who did were able to raise $84 with the Purple Pinkie event.
Matt Felan spoke about Rotary Vocation Day coming up November 10. Congressman Dan Kildee is the scheduled speaker. As of Tuesday there were still a handful of student slots to be filled.
If you are able to hols a student, call Matt or Trevor Keyes to see if they need you.
Matt noted that often we have a low attendance due to lack of space. This year the club expects 100+ students. To insure there is room, the Doubletree will be providing the largest room. There's no excuse to not attend!
SPECIAL NOTE to accommodate Vocational Day, the board meeting has been moved from the 10th to the 17th.
ALSO NOTE Next week's meeting, November 3, will be at the Lumber Barons.
Andrea needs a second host family for the Spring school session. She also says that the exchange for next year is being scheduled now and she needs a first host family on file so they can get busy on obtaining a passport.
The current and past DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available in the LINKS section below.
DATES TO REMEMBER
November 3, 2015: OFF-SITE Meeting at Lumber Barons
November 10, 2015: Vocational Day - Congressman Dan Kildee is the scheduled speaker.
The club expects 100+ students. Rotarians are encouraged to attend. The Doubletree will be providing plenty of room!
November 20, 2015: Rotary Gala in Frankenmuth - Make reservations with Bob Chadwick.
November 24, 2015: Rotary Homecoming - Hosted by Rob Clark. Wear your school colors. Rotary Outstanding Service and Excellence (ROSE) award will be presented.
Upcoming Programs
(See the official schedule at
RotaryBayCity.org )
November 3, 2015: Hospice 101
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Bonnie Marsh will talk about hospice care and palliative care - how they differ from and complement one another.
Off Site Meeting at LUMBER BARONS
November 10, 2015: Rotary Vocational Day - Congressman Dan Kildee will speak.
The club expects 100+ students. Rotarians are encouraged to attend. The Doubletree will be providing plenty of room!
November 17, 2015: Bay Arenac Community High School presented by Superintendent Erin Sullivan. The presentation will highlight students, faculty and staff and their efforts to lead the State of Michigan as the only High School to obtain 'Great Expectations' status.
November 24, 2015: Rotary Homecoming Hosted by Rob Clark. Wear your school colors. Rotary Outstanding Service and Excellence (ROSE) award will be presented.
Rotary is an intimate affiliation of carefully selected business and professional people,
having as its objective the promotion of high ethical standards in private, commercial
and civic life, and dedicated to the ideal that the basis of all worthy endeavor is unselfish service.
Current and past DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available on the District site shown in the LINKS section below.
Rotary Bay City on Facebook!
Click on the Blue Facebook to visit us there.
Remember! Check attendance sheets at the front desk.
LINKS
0202 nd 04-15-2024
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