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

Rotary Club - Index

Rotary Club - Deal - Index

THE REAL DEAL 4 August 2008
Membership Matters…a lot!
An examination of the RI Membership Development logo
reveals three circles. One represents recruiting, the
subject of our previous column. The second stands for
retention, the subject of this essay. Retention is every bit
as important as recruiting; for membership is not built if
existing members are leaving through the back door as
new members are coming in the front door.
Retention and recruiting are inextricably
intertwined. The retention process starts
with the decision about who to recruit. The
manner in which a prospective member is
recruited and made a member influences
her opinion of the club and of Rotary. Make
it a positive experience. The manner in
which a new member is treated immediately
after his induction likewise has a significant
impact the likelihood that he will remain a
member and become a productive Rotarian.
It is essential that all members of the club go out of their
way to be friendly to the new member, inviting her to sit
with them at the weekly meeting, explaining club
procedures and customs and introducing her to other
The Other Side of the Coin
members. Make a point of it. Walk across the room and
introduce yourself.
Club leaders should be sure the new member has a
badge, is given a job or assignment and should call him
if he misses a meeting and offer to give him a ride to the
next meeting.
Think of how you felt when you
attended your first few meetings.
How were you treated? In essence,
a club’s retention policy ought to boil
down to the Golden Rule. We say that
recruiting is the job of all Rotarians, but,
nevertheless, some decline to participate.
Since the basic component of the retention
program are friendliness and helpfulness, no
one has an excuse for not climbing on board.
Remember, every member who is retained is one who
doesn’t need to be replaced by a new recruit.
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.