“If you do not change your direction, you may end up
where you’re heading.”Lao Tsu, Chinese Philosopher
Mark HuddlestonDistrict Membership & PR Committee Chair 2014/15
"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
Albert Einstein
• Why “Strengthening Rotary?”• Regional Membership Development Plan• Retention: Our biggest problem• Current Membership Trends• Why Members Leave or Stay• Best Practice & Consistency• Consequences of Change• District Committee Structure• Resources
Today’s Presentation
membership
membership
membership
Why “Strengthening Rotary”?Rotarians are experiencing
“Membership Fatigue”!
Diverse membership
Informed and skilled
Rotarians
Innovative and flexible
structures and operations
Recognised and trusted brand
Strategic partnerships
Regional Membership Development PlanStrategic Priorities
When we focus on these priorities,
we will Strengthen Rotary.
When we Strengthen Rotary, our membership
will grow.
• Globally 1.2 Million (static for over 20 years)• 2003 – 2011
• 2,552 new clubs chartered - net gain of only 226 members• 1.1 Million inductions
• Global membership shifting from West to East• Australia July 2011 – June 2012
• Net loss of 581 members• District 9520
• 2012/13 123 Inductions, net gain of 16 (28 deceased)
Recent Membership TrendsWe don’t have a recruitment problem, we have a retention problem!
• Death• Poor health• Relocation • Change in work responsibility• Competing priorities
Why are we losing our members?“Uncontrollables”
Why are we losing our members?“Controllables”• Lack of involvement/engagement/inclusion• Lack of direction & leadership• Conflict with other members• Inflexible attendance requirements• Input not sought or valued• Membership did not meet expectations• Unwillingness to modernise/change• Boring meetings • Affordability
• Poor venue/meal quality• Termination
Unlike an employer, volunteer organisations cannot motivate, reward, recruit or retain their workforce with money.
What is our Currency?
• Empowerment• Responsibility• Recognition• Leadership pathways• Personal growth
• Sense of belonging• Project ownership• Networking opportunities• Broadening of Horizons• Fellowship / social activities
Currency is what we get for what we do.
But Rotary has its own currency…
What ALL clubs can offer…
Diversity in membership
Good venue & time for meetings
Structured, informative, punctual meetings
Effective communications – both within and outside the club
Quality projects responding to genuine community needs
Mentoring program for new members
Links to local businesses and community
Vibrant social calendar
Strong program of Rotary information
An inclusive environment where everyone’s input is sought and valued
What ALL clubs can offer…
We are already losing members.
“But if we change we might lose some of our senior members.”
There are greater consequences to remaining the same!
AT LEAST start the conversation…
RotaryInternational
MeetingFrequency
AssociateMembership
CorporateMembership
Innovation &Flexibility
Satellite Club
0.3%
3.7% 3.8%
6.7%5.5%
10.1%
Membership GrowthRotary Year 2011 - 12
Membership Development & RetentionClub based: Recruitment & Retention Initiatives
Performance & Best PracticePromotion & Public ImageClub Visioning & Change Management
Penni Hamilton-Smith (Mitcham)Steve Hayter (Kent Town)Pam Maxwell (Somerton Park)
District Public RelationsPromotion of Rotary to the general public across the districtWork with Zone Image & PR Co-ordinator Philip Archer on national campaigns
Bob Brigden (Sub-Chair) (Norwood)Jan Tsoutouras (Campbelltown)Jeff Neale (Campbelltown)Denise Pellen (Mitcham)
DG Jerry, DGE Dick, DGN will also sit on both committees
District Committee Structure 2014/15Chair Membership & PR - Mark Huddleston (Edwardstown)