Strengthening Rotary

Mark HuddlestonDistrict Membership & PR Committee Chair 2014/15

“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.

We’ve done a lot of work on filling the bucket…

… not so much on plugging the holes!

• 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!

D9520 current Rotary year

• 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 are clubs doing REALLY WELL?

Let’s capture and share that information!

“I thought I was on to something but I can’t figure out how to move it.”

We need more consistency across our clubs…

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…

Learning to accept change…

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)

Resources

Our view of where we’ve been must not obstruct our view of where we’re going.