The December 2009 edition of Membership Matters is available from the Zone 24/32 webpage. It can also be accessed by clicking on the following link or pasting it to your address bar.
http://www.clubrunner.ca/zonedata/22/html/798/Membership%20Matters%20December%202009.pdf
RI Zones 25-26 Rotary Coordinator News
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
From Rosemary Aragon - Zone Public Image Chair
It's time to report successes!
Public Image Resource Group General Chair Pauline Leung (Taiwan) and Assistant General Chair Bob Tomlinson (Scotland) are looking for reports of the successful PR projects for our 2009-10 first-half progress report.
What worked?! Where did the public learn about Rotary? Please explain your successful project(s) in 200 words or less and include free-standing high resolution .jpg images this week.
Could you give me your brief description by Thursday November 20? Please don’t hide your light under a bushel—I have seen what you are doing!
Contact Rosemary at rba2002@earthlink.net
Public Image Resource Group General Chair Pauline Leung (Taiwan) and Assistant General Chair Bob Tomlinson (Scotland) are looking for reports of the successful PR projects for our 2009-10 first-half progress report.
What worked?! Where did the public learn about Rotary? Please explain your successful project(s) in 200 words or less and include free-standing high resolution .jpg images this week.
Could you give me your brief description by Thursday November 20? Please don’t hide your light under a bushel—I have seen what you are doing!
Contact Rosemary at rba2002@earthlink.net
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Best Practices. District 5160. RC Concord, California
‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ Plan -- A lifeline for member retention during tough times
For more than a decade, automotive services business owner ‘Harold Jamison’ had been an active Rotarian and local civic leader. Following his year as club president, Harold continued to accept leadership roles in Rotary, chaired the club’s endowment program, and volunteered for nearly every community service project. A multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Rotary club could not ask for a more giving individual to represent the ideals of our organization than Harold.
Late last year, the downturn in our economy brought about what can only be termed the ‘perfect storm’ for this Rotarian and his family. His automotive business had just failed, and the buyer of his recently sold residence defaulted on a note payable. And, like most of us, Harold and his wife watched their retirement portfolio nearly evaporate in the closing months of 2008. Cash reserves that would have normally provided a ‘lifeboat’ for the crisis this family was experiencing were simply not available. Clearly, more than just emotions were sinking.
It was quickly becoming evident this Rotarian would not be able to meet his ongoing financial obligations to an organization to which he has been so committed for so many years. Rotary was about to lose a valuable long-time member who, under other circumstances, may have continued being active in Rotary for another decade or more. Truly a loss for all concerned.
Fortunately, Harold’s Rotary club in District 5160 had recently launched a unique retention strategy to address unforeseen instances such as this. The goal of the club’s ‘Shoulder-To-Shoulder’ program, now in its second year, is to reduce potential resignations of deserving Rotarians who have been a member for at least one year, are experiencing extreme financial hardship, yet are willing to remain active members through regular attendance and by participating in club service projects.
For Rotarians approved for eligibility in the S-2-S program, annual dues, luncheon billings and other financial obligations related to membership may be waived for a period of (up to) one year. To insure that the member is living up to his or her part of the agreement, an informal review is conducted every ninety days. If a need still exists, and provided the member has continued to maintain attendance and participate in ‘no-cost’ club activities, this fee exemption program can be ongoing -- for up to one year.
For confidentiality purposes, and to avoid any embarrassment to the member, only the club president, membership director and treasurer are brought into the process. The club’s board of directors, in approving the S-2-S program last year, gave broad discretion to a committee comprised of these two officers and its membership director, trusting that sound judgment would prevail in granting a member this exemption and then closely monitoring its progress.
The Board concurred that the anticipated loss of (dues and luncheon) revenues could be absorbed with a minimal impact on club finances. The rationale is that, by lending a helping hand at a critical time, temporarily removing the financial obstacles of being a Rotarian would enable an individual to remain active in a club service role and also benefit from the ongoing emotional support of the club’s fellowship. Most importantly, when economic recovery for the member does occur, it is very likely this Rotarian may feel even a stronger allegiance to the organization, recognizing we make ‘helping our own’ as high a priority as helping others in the community. Caring is a two-way street. When we care enough about our own members to take action, we are also taking a meaningful step towards membership retention.
It may be too early to gauge the long-term success of this fledgling program, however initial results are encouraging. During the 15 months since the S-2-S program was created in this club, four deserving Rotarians were deemed to be eligible by the committee. After being on the program for less than six months, two of those members are back on solid-footing and have resumed handling financial obligations on their own - - one relocated out of the area in order to secure employment, but hopes to become active in a Rotary club in his new locale.
As for Harold, he has recently found employment with a start-up venture that appears to have potential. He attends club luncheon meetings whenever possible and currently serves as president of his Rotary club’s Foundation and chairs their monthly board meeting. Harold is confident his situation is improving as each month goes by, grateful that his Rotary affiliation and fellow Rotarians provided this lifeline which enables him to continue the work of Rotary and yet focus on the challenges that still persist in his professional and personal life.
As Rotarians, we are frequently encouraged to apply the 4-Way Test to the things we think, say and do. When it comes to helping a fellow Rotarian maintain active membership during difficult times, this club’s innovative Shoulder to Shoulder program certainly meets all the criteria!
For additional information on the Shoulder to Shoulder program mentioned in this article, contact:
Rick Ernst, Membership Director
Rotary Club of Concord, CA USA
District 5160
email: rick_ernst@comcast.net
For more than a decade, automotive services business owner ‘Harold Jamison’ had been an active Rotarian and local civic leader. Following his year as club president, Harold continued to accept leadership roles in Rotary, chaired the club’s endowment program, and volunteered for nearly every community service project. A multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Rotary club could not ask for a more giving individual to represent the ideals of our organization than Harold.
Late last year, the downturn in our economy brought about what can only be termed the ‘perfect storm’ for this Rotarian and his family. His automotive business had just failed, and the buyer of his recently sold residence defaulted on a note payable. And, like most of us, Harold and his wife watched their retirement portfolio nearly evaporate in the closing months of 2008. Cash reserves that would have normally provided a ‘lifeboat’ for the crisis this family was experiencing were simply not available. Clearly, more than just emotions were sinking.
It was quickly becoming evident this Rotarian would not be able to meet his ongoing financial obligations to an organization to which he has been so committed for so many years. Rotary was about to lose a valuable long-time member who, under other circumstances, may have continued being active in Rotary for another decade or more. Truly a loss for all concerned.
Fortunately, Harold’s Rotary club in District 5160 had recently launched a unique retention strategy to address unforeseen instances such as this. The goal of the club’s ‘Shoulder-To-Shoulder’ program, now in its second year, is to reduce potential resignations of deserving Rotarians who have been a member for at least one year, are experiencing extreme financial hardship, yet are willing to remain active members through regular attendance and by participating in club service projects.
For Rotarians approved for eligibility in the S-2-S program, annual dues, luncheon billings and other financial obligations related to membership may be waived for a period of (up to) one year. To insure that the member is living up to his or her part of the agreement, an informal review is conducted every ninety days. If a need still exists, and provided the member has continued to maintain attendance and participate in ‘no-cost’ club activities, this fee exemption program can be ongoing -- for up to one year.
For confidentiality purposes, and to avoid any embarrassment to the member, only the club president, membership director and treasurer are brought into the process. The club’s board of directors, in approving the S-2-S program last year, gave broad discretion to a committee comprised of these two officers and its membership director, trusting that sound judgment would prevail in granting a member this exemption and then closely monitoring its progress.
The Board concurred that the anticipated loss of (dues and luncheon) revenues could be absorbed with a minimal impact on club finances. The rationale is that, by lending a helping hand at a critical time, temporarily removing the financial obstacles of being a Rotarian would enable an individual to remain active in a club service role and also benefit from the ongoing emotional support of the club’s fellowship. Most importantly, when economic recovery for the member does occur, it is very likely this Rotarian may feel even a stronger allegiance to the organization, recognizing we make ‘helping our own’ as high a priority as helping others in the community. Caring is a two-way street. When we care enough about our own members to take action, we are also taking a meaningful step towards membership retention.
It may be too early to gauge the long-term success of this fledgling program, however initial results are encouraging. During the 15 months since the S-2-S program was created in this club, four deserving Rotarians were deemed to be eligible by the committee. After being on the program for less than six months, two of those members are back on solid-footing and have resumed handling financial obligations on their own - - one relocated out of the area in order to secure employment, but hopes to become active in a Rotary club in his new locale.
As for Harold, he has recently found employment with a start-up venture that appears to have potential. He attends club luncheon meetings whenever possible and currently serves as president of his Rotary club’s Foundation and chairs their monthly board meeting. Harold is confident his situation is improving as each month goes by, grateful that his Rotary affiliation and fellow Rotarians provided this lifeline which enables him to continue the work of Rotary and yet focus on the challenges that still persist in his professional and personal life.
As Rotarians, we are frequently encouraged to apply the 4-Way Test to the things we think, say and do. When it comes to helping a fellow Rotarian maintain active membership during difficult times, this club’s innovative Shoulder to Shoulder program certainly meets all the criteria!
For additional information on the Shoulder to Shoulder program mentioned in this article, contact:
Rick Ernst, Membership Director
Rotary Club of Concord, CA USA
District 5160
email: rick_ernst@comcast.net
Monday, November 16, 2009
From Zone 20 "Membership Energiser"
Something to think about......
RESISTANCE TO CHANGE
There (has been) a lot of discussion on the resistance to change. Many will resonate with the list of excuses quoted below by Dunphy on Organised Change... It’s time for us all to move on and build a strong Rotary... The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands!
“EXCUSES FOR A CLOSED MIND”
It’s never been done before
It’ll never work
We don’t do that kind of thing in our organisation
Not that again
It’s too radical
It has been like that for 15 years
Nothing will ever change it
It will cost too much
It is not my responsibility
Let’s talk about something else
It is impossible
We tried that once before
Yes we do, but not right now.
Resistance to change is world-wide -- but..
“Cause change and lead, accept change and survive, resist change and die.”
Ray Noorda - 1924-2006, technology pioneer, Novell Corporation CEO.
Thanks to the Rotarians in South Africa for this information.
RESISTANCE TO CHANGE
There (has been) a lot of discussion on the resistance to change. Many will resonate with the list of excuses quoted below by Dunphy on Organised Change... It’s time for us all to move on and build a strong Rotary... The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands!
“EXCUSES FOR A CLOSED MIND”
It’s never been done before
It’ll never work
We don’t do that kind of thing in our organisation
Not that again
It’s too radical
It has been like that for 15 years
Nothing will ever change it
It will cost too much
It is not my responsibility
Let’s talk about something else
It is impossible
We tried that once before
Yes we do, but not right now.
Resistance to change is world-wide -- but..
“Cause change and lead, accept change and survive, resist change and die.”
Ray Noorda - 1924-2006, technology pioneer, Novell Corporation CEO.
Thanks to the Rotarians in South Africa for this information.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Social Media Revolution
Is social media a fad?
Or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution?
Take a look at this video.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
“What is Rotary?”
RRIMC Jim created an exercise that may be useful at your next membership presentation (try it yourself.)
Imagine that you are a fresh-out-of-college advertising firm employee, had just joined a local civic organization and were assigned to the PR committee. Immediately the chair asked you for a lead paragraph for the organization's PR brochure, and wanted it tomorrow because they were supposed to have something for tomorrow night's board meeting. Frantically you scanned your college notes and found this exercise:
Fill in the blanks from the selections below:
(A) ____________ is the (B) ___________ with more than (C) ____________.
(A) ____________ members are volunteers who work (D) _______________ to combat
(E) _______________ under the motto (F) ____________.
A. (Name of organization) Engineers without Borders, Doctors without Borders, Lion's Club, Kiwanis Club, Sertoma, Dentist without Borders, Red Cross, Child Fund International, The Gates Foundation; World Vision, Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO), Girl Scouts, United Way, Food Banks, YMCA, YWCA, Boy's and Girl's Club, Heifer International, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, (and the list goes on.)
B. (Pick the phrase that matches) only engineering organization, only doctor's organization, world's largest service organization, only organization of ordinary people performing extraordinary work, premier service response organization, Sharing Skills – Changing Lives, World's largest organizations for boys and girls, world's only organization dedicated to -----, etc
C. (Specify the number of volunteers/members/donors)
D. (Specify the regions that the organization serves)
E. (Specify the cause that matches) water- and sanitation-borne illnesses, contagious diseases, malaria, blindness, ignorance, starvation, farming, normal childhood problems, HIV&Aids, Education, Health and Social Well-being, Disability, Governance, birth defects, heart defects, cancer, etc.
F. (Specify the organization's motto) Service to Mankind; Serving the Children of the World; Provide Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity; Be Prepared; People helping children; Ordinary People helping Disadvantaged Children; etc
You filled in the blanks with appropriate wording; the ecstatic PR chair presented it to the board. They liked the statement because it is written for John Q. Public, is politically correct, and tells something about what the organization does. The board unanimously approved the brochure for printing. But in your hurry, you missed the fact that this exercise was from the class, "Subtleties that will get you fired."
An adverting firm would be severely reprimanded if their executives approved the statement and submitted it to me or to Jack Welch who, in his Six Rules for Success, states "If you don't have a competitive advantage, don't compete." Now I am not even close to being in the same league as Mr. Welch, former GE president and CEO (1981-2001.) He is a "Tiger Woods" of industry; I don't belong in the same state where Mr. Welch plays. But I do know that the above statement is bland because it does not catch anyone's attention or give any organization an advantage. Try this simple exercise: Fill in the blanks as if it was for your Rotary club. After you do that, change the statement to where it is specific to your club's target audience (prospective members) and points out your club's distinctive position (competitive advantage.) If you do not know either of these, well - - can you, should you, compete?
So the next time someone asks you what is Rotary, how would you answer in a way that would give you a competitive advantage over another organization for your target audience's time, talent, and/or treasure?
Muse about this and discuss it at your next club board meeting!
Best Practices Website
Have you checked out the Best Practices Exchange on the website? This is a great place to see innovative ideas that are working -- from around the world! Rotary STILL Shares!
www.rotary.org/en/membershipbestpractices
www.rotary.org/en/membershipbestpractices
Monday, November 9, 2009
Another "Best Practices" Idea from D 5030
This year District 5030 had 27 young people for 5 GSE team member spots. DG Nancy Keenholts Dalton talked about the tremendous interest Alums show in joining Rotary. She told them that she would be contacting those that were not chosen for the team to visit a Rotary club. They all seemed thrilled with this. Nancy did tell them that their future interest in joining a club would have no bearing on the decisions made by the committee. These are young people with good jobs, many with advanced degrees and interested in service work and -- 25-40 years old!!!! They are exactly who we want. DG Nancy will be contacting them through the district membership team to get them invited to meetings at Rotary clubs. GREAT IDEA!!
ROTARY NANNY - Great Idea from D5030
FREMONT ROTARY PILOTS A NEW FIRST: A ROTARY NANNY
The Rotary Club of Fremont here in Seattle has inaugurated a change in its meetings that is likely a first for Rotary Clubs around the world: It has hired a Rotary Nanny who will provide child care for the children of members and guests attending weekly club meetings in Seattle. This Halloween will introduce another first: a children’s Halloween party with their Nanny at a regular Rotary meeting.
All the children who regularly attend Rotary meetings are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to the Rotary meeting.
Fremont Rotary meets each Tuesday evening from 5:30pm through 7pm at a brewery, Hale’s Ales, in the Fremont/Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Hale’s Ales is located at 4301 NW Leary Way in Seattle.
The Rotary Nanny, a grandmother who actually works as a nanny full-time for families in the Fremont neighborhood, was hired because the club invites its members to bring their young children to weekly meetings, and several do. Among the 22 members, approximately one-third have children or grandchildren under seven years old who frequently attend meetings. For example, the four youngest, and newest members, have four children.
Several of the children are Paul Harris Fellows, a Rotary designation denoting $1,000 has been donated in their names to the Rotary Foundation. The foundation, a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions for the single purpose of doing good in the world, has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion in its 90-year lifespan.
“It’s very important that we give child care at our meetings a try,’ said Jean Withers, president of the club, talking about the Nanny Pilot which began in early July. “Having childcare for our kids means our younger members can choose to join an after-hours Rotary Club, be of service to our community, and still enjoy their children before the kids go to bed. Several members also bring their husbands and wives, and the kids beg to come to Rotary to see their friends.”
‘We have already seen attendance at our meetings begin to peak this fall,” said Withers.
She noted that several enthusiastic members---one the senior member of the group who has no children---have donated puppet theaters and screens to entertain the children. The children eat dinner with the Rotarians and retire to ‘RotaryLand’ with their nanny while adults enjoy a speaker about local or international issues and conduct Rotary business. The children then ring the bell ending the meeting.
“This is just one more way we have integrated children into our Rotary Club,” Withers said. “When we clean up the Burke-Gilman Trail, there are always 3-5 children working along side our members. Do you really think those kids will ever litter?”
For more Information, contact
Jean Withers 206.819.5326
The Rotary Club of Fremont here in Seattle has inaugurated a change in its meetings that is likely a first for Rotary Clubs around the world: It has hired a Rotary Nanny who will provide child care for the children of members and guests attending weekly club meetings in Seattle. This Halloween will introduce another first: a children’s Halloween party with their Nanny at a regular Rotary meeting.
All the children who regularly attend Rotary meetings are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to the Rotary meeting.
Fremont Rotary meets each Tuesday evening from 5:30pm through 7pm at a brewery, Hale’s Ales, in the Fremont/Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Hale’s Ales is located at 4301 NW Leary Way in Seattle.
The Rotary Nanny, a grandmother who actually works as a nanny full-time for families in the Fremont neighborhood, was hired because the club invites its members to bring their young children to weekly meetings, and several do. Among the 22 members, approximately one-third have children or grandchildren under seven years old who frequently attend meetings. For example, the four youngest, and newest members, have four children.
Several of the children are Paul Harris Fellows, a Rotary designation denoting $1,000 has been donated in their names to the Rotary Foundation. The foundation, a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions for the single purpose of doing good in the world, has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion in its 90-year lifespan.
“It’s very important that we give child care at our meetings a try,’ said Jean Withers, president of the club, talking about the Nanny Pilot which began in early July. “Having childcare for our kids means our younger members can choose to join an after-hours Rotary Club, be of service to our community, and still enjoy their children before the kids go to bed. Several members also bring their husbands and wives, and the kids beg to come to Rotary to see their friends.”
‘We have already seen attendance at our meetings begin to peak this fall,” said Withers.
She noted that several enthusiastic members---one the senior member of the group who has no children---have donated puppet theaters and screens to entertain the children. The children eat dinner with the Rotarians and retire to ‘RotaryLand’ with their nanny while adults enjoy a speaker about local or international issues and conduct Rotary business. The children then ring the bell ending the meeting.
“This is just one more way we have integrated children into our Rotary Club,” Withers said. “When we clean up the Burke-Gilman Trail, there are always 3-5 children working along side our members. Do you really think those kids will ever litter?”
For more Information, contact
Jean Withers 206.819.5326
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Zone 24/32 Membership Matters - November 2009
The November 2009 edition of Zone 24/32 Membership Matters Newsletter is ready for downloading. Click on the image to the left.
There are many interesting stories and ideas happening out there. If you are a Club or District Membership Chair please send the editor what is happening in your Club or District.
Human interest stories, best practices, successes and things that didn't work out. Let others know what you are doing.
Remember - the Future of Membership is in Your Hands!
Bryn Styles
Editor
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