A wonderful article was recently shared with me -- and I thought you would appreciate it too.
Feature Article • By Joan Dixon • July 30, 2010 • from Blue Avacado, a newsletter for non-profits.
"If you've wondered how to break into the traditional civic leadership networks, Joan Dixon of the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois explains why the Rotary may be the unexpected solution:
"At one point I was the PR director for a large clinic in Champaign with 135 doctors, and my boss was a big time Rotarian. Another fellow suggested I join the Rotary, but my boss said I wasn't highly placed enough. Now that's old school thinking.
"So when I started in 2002 at the Community Foundation, our president said I had to join Rotary. Rotary was limited to men until 1989, when the Supreme Court said it had to open its membership to women; but even then there were not many females for a long time. Our club was only 21% female, but, as is typical, we would not have gotten lots of things done without the females. To their credit, most of the fellows in our club now recognize that.
"I was a little hesitant to join Rotary because it's an every-week commitment. Our club has lunch every Monday, and you're expected to attend -- one of the clubs meets at 6:45 am and it's "all the bacon you can eat"! If you are traveling you can attend a meeting of a Rotary club in the town you're visiting, or you can go online and fulfill the attendance requirement there. It's turned out to be like going to the gym. It becomes a routine and you plan around it.
"How has the community foundation benefited from your involvement with the Rotary?
"I've built the reputation of the foundation through my contacts at the Rotary. I'm always comfortable going to someone and saying, "You've shown an interest in children's issues -- I know that from the work you've done in Rotary. Let me talk to you about how we at the community foundation can help you with that." Through the Rotary I know lots of bankers and lawyers and people that can be helpful to the foundation.
"What happens at a Rotary meeting?
"We have a large club for this area with about 180 members (some clubs are as small as 20), so there will be about 120 folks at the meeting. We start by singing a patriotic song such as God Bless America, then we have an invocation or thought for the day. That's followed by announcements about Rotary committee meetings, and, if a club member has done something that's made the newspaper, we announce that or there's Rotary signsomebody to be thanked.
"Then we have a speaker for 20-30 minutes. For example, next Monday we're having a wheelchair athlete who has won the Boston Marathon and who is involved with helping people in Ghana with disabilities. The week after that the head of the Convention and Visitors Bureau will be talking about what the Bureau is doing. After that we'll have the head coach of the university football team and then the head city planner. So you can see we learn about all kinds of things and I get to meet everybody in the community.
"What if you're interested in the Rotary, but are not sure you will fit in?
"Go online and find out about the clubs near you and just show up. One club might have a more convenient meeting time, or might have younger members, or just feel like more of a fit to you. People aren't intentionally insensitive, but it does happen. At our club, for instance, some people give a prayer that's just too much, and we have to remind them that it's supposed to be more of a non-denominational thought for the day than a full-blown prayer.
"And why should a nonprofit person join Rotary?
"The folks in Rotary are interested in the community and they're a good resource: for board members, for volunteers, for donors. Rotary can help you make a connection to many people who can contribute to your organization's success. Don't be thrown off by the time commitment. When your organization needs something, chances are you can get it through one call to a Rotary member or in one more call to whomever that Rotarian refers you.
"Who pays the dues?
"The cost varies by club; to join our club it's about $300 initially and then ongoing it's about $150/year. The community foundation pays my dues; it's very typical that your organization pays. It's an investment of a few dollars and a lot of your time, but it pays off for the organization.
"How did you get to be Rotary president?
"It's a great organization, but the truth is, I just forgot to say no!
"Joan M. Dixon is President and CEO of the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, based in Champaign and is pictured at a Rotary meeting about to begin. Thanks to years of childhood dance lessons and a BA and MA in theatre, Joan can even provide the entertainment -- in addition to chairing -- Rotary meetings!"
http://www.blueavocado.org/content/board-told-me-i-had-join-rotary
RI Zones 25-26 Rotary Coordinator News
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Innovating our Rotary Members
From Bloomberg Businessweek
By Dov Seidman
August 17, 2010
The following excerpt is from an article in Bloomberg Businessweek. It's written for the business owner or manager who is concerned about employee engagement -- but can easily be "translated" into an article for Rotary club and district leaders. How do we motivate and engage our Rotarians?
"We cannot "motivate" engagement (or innovation, growth, or succession for that matter); instead, we must inspire the kind of outcomes we want by rooting ourselves in a set of values, being in the grip of an idea worthy of dedication and commitment, connecting around a meaningful and shared purpose, and aligning around a common, deep, and sustainable set of human, societal, and environmental values.
Why? Because sustainably engaged employees generate ideas, innovation, creativity, processes, and other outcomes that deliver long-term competitive advantages, and they also collaborate with others to make progress."
That speaks directly to "retention" in Rotary!
You'll find the entire article on the following link -- it's well worth reading and reading again and then sharing with your Rotary colleagues.
http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/aug2010/ca20100816_848695.htm
By Dov Seidman
August 17, 2010
The following excerpt is from an article in Bloomberg Businessweek. It's written for the business owner or manager who is concerned about employee engagement -- but can easily be "translated" into an article for Rotary club and district leaders. How do we motivate and engage our Rotarians?
"We cannot "motivate" engagement (or innovation, growth, or succession for that matter); instead, we must inspire the kind of outcomes we want by rooting ourselves in a set of values, being in the grip of an idea worthy of dedication and commitment, connecting around a meaningful and shared purpose, and aligning around a common, deep, and sustainable set of human, societal, and environmental values.
Why? Because sustainably engaged employees generate ideas, innovation, creativity, processes, and other outcomes that deliver long-term competitive advantages, and they also collaborate with others to make progress."
That speaks directly to "retention" in Rotary!
You'll find the entire article on the following link -- it's well worth reading and reading again and then sharing with your Rotary colleagues.
http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/aug2010/ca20100816_848695.htm
Sunday, August 15, 2010
4 Districts Collaborate to "End Polio Now"
Help accelerate Rotary’s pledge to End Polio Now.
Sunday October 24th
You are invited to join Rotary President Ray Klinginsmith and Districts 5130, 5150, 5160 and 5170 Rotarians, friends and family to walk the 1.2 miles across the Golden Gate Bridge. In the afternoon shop, dine and enjoy the fun flavors and colors of the Ferry Building.
Shortly after sunset RI President Ray will illuminate the Clock Tower at the Ferry Building with Rotary’s pledge to End Polio Now.
Mark your calendar now to be part of this historical day and Rotary's public image effort to eradicate polio.
Sunday October 24th
You are invited to join Rotary President Ray Klinginsmith and Districts 5130, 5150, 5160 and 5170 Rotarians, friends and family to walk the 1.2 miles across the Golden Gate Bridge. In the afternoon shop, dine and enjoy the fun flavors and colors of the Ferry Building.
Shortly after sunset RI President Ray will illuminate the Clock Tower at the Ferry Building with Rotary’s pledge to End Polio Now.
Mark your calendar now to be part of this historical day and Rotary's public image effort to eradicate polio.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
More Membership from RI President Ray
Five for One Plan
It is each member’s responsibility to propose a new member for club membership. In an effort to promote fellowship and capitalize on each member’s professional contacts, a method to encourage and engage all Rotarians in identifying new members is the Five for One Plan. This method was widely used by Rotary clubs
in the 1970’s.
Description of the Five for One Plan:
A club is divided into teams of five members each, and the teams are given names or numbers to identify them.
Each team:
1. Is assigned the responsibility to identify and recruit at least one new member during a particular month of the Rotary year to ensure a continuous flow of new members.
2. Is asked to identify several prospective members and then to recruit at least one of them for approval and induction during the committee’s assigned month.
3. Is encouraged to complete every step of the new member process, from the initial call or discussion to interest a person in Rotary, to issuing an invitation for membership, to ensure the prospective member becomes an active and engage member of the club.
An effective use of the Five for One Plan could produce a membership increase of 20% for the club during the Rotary year. However, the normal attrition rate for Rotary clubs is 10% per year, so the plan could effectively produce a net gain of 10% membership growth. Can you help your club be so dynamic that attrition is no longer 10%? How will you keep your members involved?
It is each member’s responsibility to propose a new member for club membership. In an effort to promote fellowship and capitalize on each member’s professional contacts, a method to encourage and engage all Rotarians in identifying new members is the Five for One Plan. This method was widely used by Rotary clubs
in the 1970’s.
Description of the Five for One Plan:
A club is divided into teams of five members each, and the teams are given names or numbers to identify them.
Each team:
1. Is assigned the responsibility to identify and recruit at least one new member during a particular month of the Rotary year to ensure a continuous flow of new members.
2. Is asked to identify several prospective members and then to recruit at least one of them for approval and induction during the committee’s assigned month.
3. Is encouraged to complete every step of the new member process, from the initial call or discussion to interest a person in Rotary, to issuing an invitation for membership, to ensure the prospective member becomes an active and engage member of the club.
An effective use of the Five for One Plan could produce a membership increase of 20% for the club during the Rotary year. However, the normal attrition rate for Rotary clubs is 10% per year, so the plan could effectively produce a net gain of 10% membership growth. Can you help your club be so dynamic that attrition is no longer 10%? How will you keep your members involved?
New Membership Ideas
Within President-elect Ray’s “Top Ten New Ideas for Clubs and Districts”, he encourages clubs and districts to adopt new membership approaches to help with recruitment and retention. Below is an idea to consider.
STAR (Special Training for Action in Rotary)
The STAR program was developed by the Rotary Club of El Paso, Texas, USA, in 1976. It is a method that can be used to involve and engage new members while preparing members for club leadership positions. Clubs are encouraged to adopt similar programs with a goal of promoting member retention through involvement, information and education. Since new members enter into a club on a consistent basis, the program can be repeated every year, or as often as needed. In addition to serving as a vehicle for Rotary information, the STAR breakfasts help new members get acquainted with each other as well as becoming familiar with a few of the club’s more experienced Rotarians. This is an opportunity to establish a small group atmosphere and foster an inclusive and inviting setting by catering to questions and discussions. In a large club, this can be a very effective tool for promoting fellowship. The following STAR guidelines can be adapted for use by your club:
● Each new member is placed on the STAR Committee and requested to complete a questionnaire of their interests and skills and provide a photo. The new member’s biographical sketch is then presented in the club’s weekly bulletin. New members are distinguished by a red star pasted on their Rotary badge with a red ribbon attached, and experienced members are encouraged to sit with them at club meetings and become acquainted.
● Hour-long STAR breakfast meetings are held once a month. All new members are encouraged to attend these meetings for one year.
● The STAR Committee is made up of past club and district leaders.
● All club members are invited to attend at any time to update themselves on Rotary information and to meet the new members. In addition, members of any other clubs in the district are welcome to attend.
● Typical meetings may feature a welcome to first-time attendees, recognition of new STAR graduates, announcements of upcoming club and district activities and events. Program topics could include each of the five Avenues of Service, club history, club community and international service projects, club foundation projects, The Rotary Foundation and the programs of Rotary International. Programs could be presented by directors or committee chairs responsible for the topic being covered.
STAR (Special Training for Action in Rotary)
The STAR program was developed by the Rotary Club of El Paso, Texas, USA, in 1976. It is a method that can be used to involve and engage new members while preparing members for club leadership positions. Clubs are encouraged to adopt similar programs with a goal of promoting member retention through involvement, information and education. Since new members enter into a club on a consistent basis, the program can be repeated every year, or as often as needed. In addition to serving as a vehicle for Rotary information, the STAR breakfasts help new members get acquainted with each other as well as becoming familiar with a few of the club’s more experienced Rotarians. This is an opportunity to establish a small group atmosphere and foster an inclusive and inviting setting by catering to questions and discussions. In a large club, this can be a very effective tool for promoting fellowship. The following STAR guidelines can be adapted for use by your club:
● Each new member is placed on the STAR Committee and requested to complete a questionnaire of their interests and skills and provide a photo. The new member’s biographical sketch is then presented in the club’s weekly bulletin. New members are distinguished by a red star pasted on their Rotary badge with a red ribbon attached, and experienced members are encouraged to sit with them at club meetings and become acquainted.
● Hour-long STAR breakfast meetings are held once a month. All new members are encouraged to attend these meetings for one year.
● The STAR Committee is made up of past club and district leaders.
● All club members are invited to attend at any time to update themselves on Rotary information and to meet the new members. In addition, members of any other clubs in the district are welcome to attend.
● Typical meetings may feature a welcome to first-time attendees, recognition of new STAR graduates, announcements of upcoming club and district activities and events. Program topics could include each of the five Avenues of Service, club history, club community and international service projects, club foundation projects, The Rotary Foundation and the programs of Rotary International. Programs could be presented by directors or committee chairs responsible for the topic being covered.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Great RI Resources
Several new newsletters and updates have been released by RI in the last week, including:
Membership -- http://echo4.bluehornet.com/hostedemail/email.htm?h=1103b5802d87ed5c26519218cd1ab1e5&CID=10400000720&ch=FA43541787531ED32779EADA772541DC
Vocational -- http://echo4.bluehornet.com/hostedemail/email.htm?h=b09a2630d6c3a268755e5c546d42d572&CID=10371115753&ch=C33374A7871A4C45EA8A9C6CBCCE5227
New Generations -- http://echo4.bluehornet.com/hostedemail/email.htm?h=1363bc5ec456d2f786821fdeb695a37a&CID=10335228557&ch=CF631B38CE4603B6DD32E87EB761D29F
You will find lots of good information and ideas in these links. Take time to get familiar with all the aspects of Rotary. How can we use the individual and combined interests and expertise to work together for the purpose of helping to build DYNAMIC Rotary clubs?
Judi
Membership -- http://echo4.bluehornet.com/hostedemail/email.htm?h=1103b5802d87ed5c26519218cd1ab1e5&CID=10400000720&ch=FA43541787531ED32779EADA772541DC
Vocational -- http://echo4.bluehornet.com/hostedemail/email.htm?h=b09a2630d6c3a268755e5c546d42d572&CID=10371115753&ch=C33374A7871A4C45EA8A9C6CBCCE5227
New Generations -- http://echo4.bluehornet.com/hostedemail/email.htm?h=1363bc5ec456d2f786821fdeb695a37a&CID=10335228557&ch=CF631B38CE4603B6DD32E87EB761D29F
You will find lots of good information and ideas in these links. Take time to get familiar with all the aspects of Rotary. How can we use the individual and combined interests and expertise to work together for the purpose of helping to build DYNAMIC Rotary clubs?
Judi
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Next Generation & Rotary Membership.....Say What??
Sooo.....just how does the new 5th Avenue of Service, New Generations, relate to Membership? Consider this:
1. Is your club actively involved with the youth and young adult programs of Rotary? Is it enough to write a check to send a camper to RYLA?
2. Might there be potential Rotary members who would be attracted to an organization that works with young people?
3. Are the whereabouts known of the alumni of our New Generations programs (Rotaract, RYLA, Interact, Youth Exchange) -- do we keep in touch to know when they might be ready to join Rotary? (Ten or fifteen years can go very quickly!)
4. Are we mentoring the New Generations groups so that they might have the resources and assistance that only we can offer to them?
Following is an article from this month's "New Generations Newsletter" (available on the RI website):
August is Membership and Extension Month. The success of Rotary depends on the commitment and hard work of its club members, and the same applies to Rotary’s youth and young adult programs: Interact, Rotaract, and RYLA. Successful programs retain their current participants and stay connected to alumni while seeking out new and creative ways to grow.
When reviewing your membership and extension activities, ask yourself the following questions:
• How do you recruit new club members or program participants?
• Has your Interact or Rotaract club developed a membership strategy or membership goals for the new Rotary year?
• How can your Interact or Rotaract club keep members engaged and motivated all year long? What is the average meeting attendance throughout the year? How can you improve this?
• How can you better stay in touch with RYLA program alumni? Do alumni get involved in supporting future RYLA programs?
• How do you select your club projects or fundraisers? How can you better leverage the interests of club members when developing these service activities?
• What kind of presence does your club or RYLA program have in your community? On your campus?
If your club has a membership plan in place – or any specific strategy that you have found effective – and you’d like to share it with others, please e-mail it to ryla@rotary.org.
Include the New Generations regularly in your club activities and participate in their activities. We are their mentors and they are our FUTURE!
1. Is your club actively involved with the youth and young adult programs of Rotary? Is it enough to write a check to send a camper to RYLA?
2. Might there be potential Rotary members who would be attracted to an organization that works with young people?
3. Are the whereabouts known of the alumni of our New Generations programs (Rotaract, RYLA, Interact, Youth Exchange) -- do we keep in touch to know when they might be ready to join Rotary? (Ten or fifteen years can go very quickly!)
4. Are we mentoring the New Generations groups so that they might have the resources and assistance that only we can offer to them?
Following is an article from this month's "New Generations Newsletter" (available on the RI website):
August is Membership and Extension Month. The success of Rotary depends on the commitment and hard work of its club members, and the same applies to Rotary’s youth and young adult programs: Interact, Rotaract, and RYLA. Successful programs retain their current participants and stay connected to alumni while seeking out new and creative ways to grow.
When reviewing your membership and extension activities, ask yourself the following questions:
• How do you recruit new club members or program participants?
• Has your Interact or Rotaract club developed a membership strategy or membership goals for the new Rotary year?
• How can your Interact or Rotaract club keep members engaged and motivated all year long? What is the average meeting attendance throughout the year? How can you improve this?
• How can you better stay in touch with RYLA program alumni? Do alumni get involved in supporting future RYLA programs?
• How do you select your club projects or fundraisers? How can you better leverage the interests of club members when developing these service activities?
• What kind of presence does your club or RYLA program have in your community? On your campus?
If your club has a membership plan in place – or any specific strategy that you have found effective – and you’d like to share it with others, please e-mail it to ryla@rotary.org.
Include the New Generations regularly in your club activities and participate in their activities. We are their mentors and they are our FUTURE!
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