Working Together for the Good of Rotary: A Membership Initiative

The Vancouver Metropolitan-Area Membership Strategy

By Gayle Knepper, Rotary Coordinator, Z24W

Proud Rotarian decal/”cling” displayed by Vancouver members in their workplaces and on vehicles.

When District 5040 (BC) leaders held the annual strategic planning meeting for the 2014-15 year, a topic discussed in depth was the health of clubs and the membership decline which had occurred over time.

In fact, when completing the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis at the session, two of the top-ranking threats were identified as:

1. Not dealing with aging membership
2. Not turning around the declining membership

It was critical to the future of the clubs, they determined, to focus action on these issues now, looking at new methods to turn around this troubling trend.

“Grow membership 15% over 5 years,” was the goal, to be reached through a combination of retention and new member/club development.  While they had already identified the WHAT — the issue, determined the HOW MUCH – the goal, and the WHEN to do it (now), the real job was just beginning. Leaders now faced the bigger task — HOW.

Rotary Days on Ice

 RI President Gary Huang urged all Rotarians to Light up Rotary this year by participating in a Rotary Day- a fun informal event in the community to introduce the non-Rotary public to Rotary. On January 24^th 2015 the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown and the Burnaby Rotaract Club in District 5040 partnered with Canlan Burnaby 8 Rinks to offer a Rotary Free Public Skate.

Club President Gloria Staudt stated “It was a big success…everything came together beautifully….Our partners in Canlan Burnaby 8 Rinks were happy to see so many people there, the best ever for them.”

The club involved Rotaractors on the planning committee and had display boards for Rotary and Rotaract.  Canlan 8 Rinks hung skate, polio and peace fellowship banners on the lobby railings the day before the event so their customers could see them.

The Club promoted the event widely in their community:

• a large banner hung on two local overpasses
• ads in the local Burnaby Now newspaper
• an editorial mention in both community papers
• included on Burnaby 8 Rinks Public Skate schedule
• flyer on the club website and Burnaby 8 rinks website
• on vancity buzz
• a flyer was sent to 72 local schools, circulated by members and posted on various community bulletin boards
• submitted to local papers calendar of events listings

They filled to capacity the maximum number of skaters (175) for each of the 2 skate times.  This event involved 350 skaters plus those who were walking around watching or talking with Rotarians about Rotary and Rotaract.

They had15 Rotarians show up to help along with 10 Rotaractors plus 3 friend helpers.  One Rotarian and one Rotaract did face painting and the Rotaractors made cotton candy. They gave out bottles of water with the new Rotary logo and hot chocolate to parents and kids. Kids got goodie bags to take home.  They gave out What is Rotary cards, Start with Rotary post cards, 2014 Rotary Facts brochure and past issues of the Rotarian

Gloria went on to say this was “Truly a great community event and team work including Rotaractors, business partner and partial sponsorship by Burnaby Now newspaper.  Everyone won and had a great time!”

Holding a Rotary Day can help your club increase membership, strengthen relationships between the club and local organizations and community members, and improve Rotary’s image in your community. Is your club planning a community event to Light up Rotary? Check out Rotary Days on the RI website at https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/rotary-days and learn more about hosting and celebrating a Rotary Day for your club.

Imagine the collective impact if all the clubs in your District and around the world made a concerted effort to introduce the public to the fun and rewarding experiences we all enjoy as Rotarians.

Alphabet Soup of Rotary – Rotary Acronyms

Like many organizations Rotary uses acronyms. Rotary is not unique in using  acronyms. It is common in all organizations, big and small. A sports report on the news would take twice as long without the use of acronyms.

There is a time and place for everything and using acronyms is no exception. The whole point of using these abbreviation in your Rotary presentations and writing is to clearly communicate. However, if you misuse or abuse acronyms, you’ll accomplish just the opposite, turning your communications into a baffling cocktail of gobbledygook.

Can you understand these two sentences?

• The RRFC suggested the DG ask the DRFC to promote PHFS and EREY to increase DDF to fund a VTT.
• The RPIC and RC talked to PEs at PETS about benefits of RLI to understand TRF.

Here is an updated list of Rotary acronyms. GSE and DSG have been retired and we introduced VTT, RPIC and EMGA.

To download a copy click HERE