http://www.rotary7330.org/2008%20membership.html

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THE REAL DEAL 4 July 08
Membership Matters…a lot!
One of the most critical characteristics for a Club Membership Chair or for anyone who is interested in
contributing to membership development is a positive and optimistic attitude. This state of mind is
not something that needs to be forced; it should come naturally, because recruiting and retention are
not difficult.
Virtually everyone can recruit if she or he will make the effort. No special skill is required. All it takes is
a bit of organization and diligence. Many prospective members are willing, even eager, to join once
they hear the Rotary story.
We’ve all heard the excuses for not recruiting:
� There are no prospective members in our community.
� We’ve tried that before and it didn’t work.
� That’s the job of the membership committee.
� I don’t know enough about Rotary to recruit.
� Society has changed;
� People don’t want to join service clubs today.
� I don’t know how to recruit.
� Let the younger members do it.
These excuses mask the real reason for the failure to recruit, namely, the
lack of the will to do it. That’s why a positive and optimistic outlook is so
essential – you must overcome the negative and demonstrate that those
who want to succeed will succeed.
In the next issue of The Real Deal, we’ll look at retention.
Have a membership development question, problem or suggestion?
Go to the Membership Help Center on the District Web at:
www.rotary7330.org/2008 membership.html
Or
Contact Bill Speakman, Jr., the District Membership Chair.