INDEX

PAGE
Committee Welcome Letter……………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
District Area Membership Chairs .…………………………………………………………………………………. 3
THE GUIDING PINCIPLES OF ROTARY………………………………………………………………………………. 4
The Object of Rotary…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Avenues of Service……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
The Four-Way Test…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Mission………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Diversity in Rotary…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions……………………………………………. 6
Why Join Rotary……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Top 20 Reasons to become a Rotarian……………………………………………………………………………. 9
Rotary Membership Responsibilities………………………………………..…………………………………….. 11
The Classification Principle……………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
Financial Obligations and Attendance Requirements………………………………………………………. 16
Opportunities and Expectations for New Members………………………………………………………. 17
Sample Red Badge Requirements.…………………………………………………………………………………. 20
Red Badge Information………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
Sample Welcome Letters from President……....................................................................... 23
Sample Inductions………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25
Committee Descriptions…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31
Becoming an Involved Rotarian …………………………….………………………………………………………. 32
Rotary Basics………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34
Membership is EVERY Rotarian’s Business…………………………………………………………………….. 35
Elements of Rotary Membership Growth………………………………………………………………………. 36
Membership Retention…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….. 40
Ten Steps to Welcoming a Rotarian……………………………………………………………………………… 41
“Who said there was no such thing as a FREE LUNCH?”……………………………………………….. 42
Proposed Member Information…………………………………………………………………………………….. 43
Sample Membership Proposal Statement…………………………………………………………………….. 44
Sample Membership Proposal Form…………………………………………………………………………….. 45
Sponsor Responsibilities………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46
Membership Satisfaction Questionnaire……………………………………………………………………..... 48
Recommended District 5110 NEW MEMBER KIT Materials List…..…………………………………. 49

Printing courtesy of Eugene Mid Valley Rotarian Ernie White and National Photocopy

Page | 1
 2009-10Rotary
2008-09 Rotary Year
Year

Fellow District 5110 Membership Chairs:

This Membership Manual

This Membership Manual is
is being
being provided
provided as
asa aresource
resourceforfor Club
Club
Membership Committees in District 5110 by the District Membership
Membership Committees in District 5110 by the District
Committee.
Membership Committee.
It is a valuable collection of resources that we hope you will take the time
Helen Lucas to closely review and implement. It is intended to help clubs with the
District 5110
Membership Chair most common of questions about how to retain their current
PO Box 41832 It is a valuable collection of resources that we hope you will take
Eugene, OR 97404 membership while at the same time recruit new members and
Helen Lucas the time to closely review and implement. It is intended to help
District 5110
encourage growth.
Membership Chair
clubs with the most common of questions about how to retain
PO Box 41832 their current
While much ofmembership while
what is included at the
in this sameare
manual time recruit
in the form new
of samples
Eugene, OR 97404
hklucas@comcast.net and/or
members suggestions,
and grow. the material included has proven to be successful in
541.729.1458
hklucas@comcast.net a number of clubs. The intention is for you to improvise and manipulate
541.729.1458
the materials for your own clubs use. New materials will be offered on
an ongoing basis through the District website, through newsletters and at
We encourage you to carefully review the man
seminars.

We hope you find this a useful tool and more than anything, we hope it
doesn’t end up filed on a shelf somewhere.

Finally, the last page of this manual is a list of suggested materials to be

included in a New Member Kit for new Rotarians. Much of that material
can be downloaded from the RI website as well.

The District Membership Committee includes Area Membership Chairs,

local Membership advocates dedicated to answering your questions and
offering Membership support when you need it. A list of AMC’s with
District 5110
their contact information is included in this manual. We encourage you
Membership Chair to take advantage of this resource when you need a speaker, are
PO Box 41832
struggling with growth and/or retention or even when you are having an
amazing year, in which case we would like to recognize your success.
Eugene, OR 97404
Thank you for volunteering for the Membership Chair position in your
club. Membership is truly the cornerstone of Rotary because without
membership, there is no Rotary.

hklucas@comcast.net Yours in Rotary,

Helen Lucas
541.729.1458
District Membership Chair

Page | 2
 2009-10 DISTRICT AREA MEMBERSHIP CHAIRS
Area Membership Chair Clubs E-mail
CENTRAL COAST
Bay Area Sunrise, CoosBay-North Bend,
Rachele Summerville (4) Reedsport, Bay Area
raesummerville@hotmail.com
Charlotte Barrett (2) Coquille, Myrtle Point charlotteb@cvhospital.org
CENTRAL OREGON
Bend, Sisters, Redmond, Jefferson
John Bushnell (5) County, Crook County johnb@tumalofeedcompany.com
Bend High Desert, Bend Mt. Bachelor,
Michelle Sander (4) Greater Bend, Sun River michelle@breedloveguitars.com
KLAMATH
Klamath Basin Sunrise, Klamath County,
Phill Kensler (4)
Lakeview, Tulelake
phill.kensler.jkhp@statefarm.com
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Montague, Scott Valley, Shasta Valley,
Sue Stresser (4) Yreka
stresser@att.net
NORTHERN COAST
Chris Waugh (3) Lincoln City, Newport, Toledo chris@ChrisWaugh.com
George Lewis (1) Florence mrclor@charter.net
NORTH WILLAMETTE
Corvallis, Corvallis Morning, Greater
Suzie Downing (5) Corvallis, Philomath, Corvallis After 5 suzie.downing@gmail.com
Albany, Greater Albany, Lebanon, Sweet
Randy Stockdale (4) Home
rstockdale@samhealth.org
ROGUE – ILLINOIS VALLEY
Grants Pass, Greater Grants Pass, Rogue
Bob McCraley (4) Gateway, Illinois Valley (CJ)
bobandannettemc@msn.com
SOUTH COAST
Bandon by the Sea, Brookings Harbor,
Emily Francona (4) Gold Beach, Port Orford
Emily@PortOrfordRotary.org
GREATER JACKSON CO
Eagle Point, Central Point, North
Lee Mobley (6) Medford, Medford Rogue, Bear Creek, leannm@jc-pt.com
Greater Medford
SOUTHERN OREGON
Ashland, Ashland Lithia Springs,
“Birk” Birkinshaw (6) Jacksonville Applegate, Quail Point, birk_1@charter.net
Medford, Rogue Valley After 5
SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE (1)
Cottage Grove, Springfield Twin Rivers,
Scott Palmer (3) Eugene rspalmer@wlrlaw.com
SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE (2)
Eugene Metro, Eugene Southtowne,
Steve Hutchinson (3) Eugene Emerald shutchinson@eugene-law.com
SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE (3)
Eugene Airport, Eugene Delta, paul@obpinc.com or
Paul Peschiera (4) Springfield, Fernridge peschieras@comcast.net
SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE (4)
Helen Lucas (1) Eugene Mid Valley hklucas@comcast.net
UMPQUA
Roseburg, Roseburg Morning, North
Mick Crowe (4) Roseburg, Sutherlin mick.crowe@fccfurn.com
Page | 3
 GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF ROTARY
The Object of Rotary

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy
enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

 FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

 SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the
worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as
an opportunity to serve society;
 THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and
community life;
 FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through
a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Avenues of Service

Based on the Object of Rotary, the Avenues of Service are Rotary’s philosophical cornerstone
and the foundation on which club activity is based:

 Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning
of the club.
 Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to
practice high ethical standards.
 Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life
in its community.
 International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach
around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.

The Four-Way Test

The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions:

Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Page | 4
Mission

The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide

service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding,
goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Diversity and Rotary

Rotary International recognizes the value of diversity within individual clubs. Rotary encourages
clubs to assess those in their communities who are eligible for membership, under existing
membership guidelines, and to endeavor to include the appropriate range of individuals in their
clubs. A club that reflects its community with regard to professional and business classification,
gender, age, religion, and ethnicity is a club with the key to its future.


Moving toward the future

In 2001-02, Rotary International began developing a strategic plan to guide the organization as it
entered its second century of service. In June 2007, the Board of Directors approved the RI
Strategic Plan 2007-10, which identifies seven priorities:

 Eradicate polio.
 Advance the internal and external recognition and public image of Rotary.
 Increase Rotary’s capacity to provide service to others.
 Expand membership globally in both numbers and quality.
 Emphasize Rotary’s unique vocational service commitment.
 Optimize the use and development of leadership talents within RI.
 Fully implement the strategic planning process to ensure continuity and consistency
throughout the organization.

Page | 5
DE C L A R A T I O N O F R OT A R I A N S
IN BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS

A
s a Rotarian engaged in a
business or profession, I am
expected to:

1) CONSIDER my vocation to be another opportunity to serve;

2) BE FAITHFUL to the letter and to the spirit of the ethical codes of my vocation, to
the laws of my country, and to the moral standards of my community;

3) DO ALL in my power to dignify my vocation and to promote the highest ethical

standards in my chosen vocation;

4) BE FAIR to my employer, employees, associates, competitors, customers, the

public, and all those with whom I have a business or professional relationship;

5 ) RECOGNIZE the honor and respect due to all occupations which are useful to
society ;

6 ) OFFER my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work

for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my
community ;

7 ) ADHERE to honesty in my advertising and in all representations to the public

concerning my business or profession;

8 ) NEITHER SEEK from nor grant to a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not
normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship.

Page | 6
 Why Join Your Local Rotary Club?
Professional Networking
A founding principle of Rotary was to meet periodically to enjoy camaraderie and
enlarge one’s circle of business and professional acquaintances. As the oldest service
club in the world, Rotary club members represent a cross-section of the community’s
owners, executives, managers, political leaders, and professionals – people who make
decisions and influence policy.

Service Opportunities
Club members have many opportunities for humanitarian service, both locally and
internationally. Service programs address such concerns as health care, hunger,
poverty, illiteracy, and the environment. Rotarians experience the fulfillment that comes
from giving back to the community.

International Awareness
With more than 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries & geographical areas, Rotarians
gain an understanding of humanitarian issues through international service projects and
exchange programs. One of Rotary’s highest objectives is to build goodwill and peace
throughout the world.

Friendship
Rotary was founded on fellowship, an ideal that remains a major attraction of
membership today. Club members enjoy the camaraderie with like-minded
professionals, and club projects offer additional opportunities to develop enduring
friendships. Rotary club members who travel have friendly contacts in almost every city
in the world.

Good Citizenship
Weekly Rotary club programs keep members informed about what is taking place in the
community, nation, and world and motivated to make a difference.

Family Foundations
Rotary sponsors some of the world’s largest youth exchange, educational exchange,
and scholarship programs. Rotary clubs provide innovative training opportunities and
mentoring for young leaders and involve family members in a wide range of social and
service activities.

Entertainment
Social activities give Rotarians a chance to let loose and have fun. Every Rotary club
and district hosts parties and activities that offer diversions from today’s demanding
professional and personal schedules. Conferences, conventions, assemblies, and social
events provide entertainment as well as Rotary information, education, and service.

Page | 7
Ethical Environment
Encouraging high ethical standards in one’s profession and respect for all worthy
vocations has been a hallmark of Rotary from its earliest days. In their business and
professional lives, Rotarians abide by The Four-Way Test: Of the things we think, say
or do:
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3) Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Leadership Development
Rotary is an organization of successful professionals. Team building, fundraising, public
speaking, planning, organization, and communication are just a sampling of the
leadership skills that club members can exercise and enhance. Being a Rotary leader
provides further experience in learning how to motivate, inspire, and guide others.

Diversity in Membership
Rotary’s classification system ensures that a club’s membership represents a variety of
the community’s professional men and women, including leaders in business, industry,
the arts, government, sports, the military, and religion. Rotary clubs are nonpolitical,
nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.

  

Page | 8
 TOP 20 REASONS TO BECOME A ROTARIAN
1. Friendship: In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human
needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. It is one of two reasons why Rotary began in
1905.

2. Business Development: The second original reason for Rotary's beginning is business
development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross section of every
business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other.

3. Personal Growth and Development: Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and
education in human relations and personal development.

4. Leadership Development: Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful people.

Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership: learning how to
motivate, influence and lead leaders.

5. Citizenship in the Community: Membership in a Rotary club makes one a better community
citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the most active citizens of any community.

6. Continuing Education: Each week at Rotary there is a program designed to keep one
informed about what is going on in the community, nation and world. Each meeting
provides an opportunity to listen to different speakers and a variety of timely topics.

7. Fun: Rotary is fun, a lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. The club projects are fun. Social
activities are fun. The service is fun.

8. Public Speaking Skills: Many individuals who joined Rotary were afraid to speak in public.
Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communication and the opportunity to
practice and perfect these skills.

9. Citizenship in the World: Every Rotarian wears a pin that says "Rotary International." There
are a few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club. Every Rotarian is welcome —
even encouraged — to attend any of the 29,000 clubs in 194 nations and geographical
regions. This means instant friends in both one's own community and in the world
community.

10. Assistance when Traveling: Because there are Rotary clubs everywhere, many a Rotarian
in need of a doctor, lawyer, hotel, dentist, advice, etc., while traveling has found assistance
through Rotary.

11. Entertainment: Every Rotary club and district has parties and activities that provide
diversion in one's business life. Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies and
institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education and
service.

Page | 9
12. The Development of Social Skills: Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary
develops one's personality, social skills and people skills. Rotary is for people who like
people.

13. Family Programs: Rotary provides one of the world's largest youth exchange programs;
high school and college clubs for future Rotarians; opportunities for spouse involvement;
and a host of activities designed to help family members in growth and the development of
family values.

14. Vocational Skills: Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth and development
of his or her own profession or vocation, to serve on committees, and to teach youth about
one's job or vocation. Rotary helps to make one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.

15. The Development of Ethics: Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test that governs one's ethical
standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships.

16. Cultural Awareness: Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race,
creed, political persuasion, language, color and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. It is a
cross section of the world's most prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians
become aware of their cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere. They
become better citizens of their countries in the process.

17. Prestige: Rotary members are prominent people who are leaders of business, professions,
art, government, sports, military, religion and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most
prestigious service club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers, professionals
— people who make decisions and influence policy.

18. Nice People: Rotarians above all are nice people — the nicest people on the face of the
earth. They are important people who follow the policy of "it is nice to be important but it is
important to be nice."

19. The Absence of an "Official Creed": Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no
official creed, no secret meeting or rituals. It is an open society of men and women who
simply believe in helping others.

20. The Opportunity to Serve: Rotary is a service club. Its business is mankind. Its product is
service. Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities.
This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for
somebody else; to sense the self-fulfillment that comes in the process; and the return of that
satisfaction to one's own life. It is richly rewarding.

Page | 10
Rotary Membership Responsibilities

What Rotarians get out of Rotary depends largely on what they

put into it. Many membership requirements are designed to help
club members more fully participate in and enjoy their Rotary
experience.

Attendance
Attending weekly club meetings allows members to enjoy fellowship, enrich their professional
and personal knowledge, and meet other business leaders in their community.

If members miss a meeting of their own club, they’re encouraged to expand their Rotary
horizons by attending a meeting of any other Rotary club in the world.

Service
By participating in local and international service projects, club members can volunteer their
time and talents where they’re most needed.

The four Avenues of Service are Rotary’s philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which
club activity is based:

 Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the club’s effective functioning.
 Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice
high ethical standards.
 Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its
community.
 International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around
the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.

Finding and keeping members

To keep clubs strong, every Rotarian must share the responsibility of bringing new people into
Rotary. Even new members can bring guests to club meetings or invite them to participate in a
service project.

Page | 11
Keeping members involved in Rotary is another responsibility. Fostering strong fellowship and
encouraging early participation in service projects are two of the best ways to sustain a club’s
membership.

Dues
Club members are required to pay annual dues to their clubs, districts, and Rotary International,
as well as the subscription fee to the appropriate Rotary magazine.

Leadership
Club members are encouraged to volunteer for leadership roles at the club level and beyond. To
learn more about leadership opportunities in your district, see the district leadership seminar page
and the club committee’s page.

  

Page | 12
 The Classification Principle
The classification principle developed by Rotary's founding members stipulates that Rotary clubs
should have only one representative of each business or profession within the community.
Although this concept was expanded somewhat to include "additional active" and "senior active"
members, the policy of a balanced membership remains a basic tenet of Rotary. It ensures that
Rotary membership is inclusive, encompassing all services to society. It also enables a Rotary
club to be a true microcosm of the community's business and professional life, fostering a
fellowship based on diversity of interest brought together to attain a common goal of service.

Each classification describes the principal business or professional activity of the member or that
of his or her firm or organization. A classification is loaned to a member, who may hold it as
long as he or she upholds the high ethical standards of Rotary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Classifications

Q. Can a member's title or executive position be used to describe that person's classification?
A. No. A classification must describe the principal and recognized activity of the member or of
the institution or firm with which he or she is connected. For example, a computer analyst who
is the vice president of a bank could hold the classification of data processing or banking - not
vice president.

Q. There is a retired airline pilot in our community who has never been a Rotarian but who
would have lots of time for Rotary. What classification can we loan to him?
A. There is no basis for loaning a classification to a retired person who is no longer "active" in a
business or profession. However, thanks to a decision by the 1995 Council of Legislation, you
could invite this man to become a "past service" member of your club because he would have
been eligible to hold the aviation classification prior to retirement. A past service member does
not have a classification.

Q. We have some members whose companies have diversified and changed their main lines of
business. How can their classifications be changed?
A. The "Standard Rotary Club Constitution" provides that the club board of directors may
correct or adjust the classification of any member, if circumstances warrant such an action. The
members should be notified and be allowed a hearing in the matter if they wish.

Q. A member has proposed the head of his department as an additional active member. Should
the two classifications be the same?
A. Yes.

Q. We have heard "senior active" and "past service" referred to as classifications. Is this
correct?
A. No. "Senior active" and "past service" are types of membership - not classifications.

Q. Should our roster of filled and unfilled classifications include specialties in medicine, dentistry
and law?

Page | 13
A. Yes, if the practices of these professions are recognized as specialized in your community.
The same could apply to other professions that have specialties.
Sample Classification Survey
The business and professional activities listed below are frequently represented within some
clubs. The local telephone directory usually lists businesses in the community and may provide
an outline for a classification survey in your community. Rotary has no standard list of
classifications because terminology for businesses varies considerably around the world.
Accounting Hospitals
Advertising Hotels
Agricultural Consulting Internal Medicine
Agricultural Implements Retailing Iron & Steel Manufacturing
Air Conditioning Repairing Jewelry Retailing
Airports Laundries
Ammunition Manufacturing Law Enforcement
Architecture Libraries
Auctioning Service Life Insurance
Auto Insurance Linen Manufacturing
Automobile Retailing Livestock Feeding
Baking Retailing Local Government
Banking Lumbar Yards
Bookselling Machinery Distributing
Bottle Gas Distributing Machine Shop Service
Brick Manufacturing Magazine Publishing
Building Construction Masonry Construction
Building Materials Retailing Meat Retailing
Bus Transportation Men's Clothing Retailing
Carbonated Beverage Bottling Movie Theaters
Cardiology Movie Theaters
Carpentry Moving Service
Cattle Raising Municipal Water Service
Chambers of Commerce Musical Instruments Retailing
Children's Homes Newspaper Publishing
Cigar and Tobacco Retailing Office Equipment Retailing
Civil Engineering Optical Goods Retailing
Clothing Retailing Optometry
Coal Retailing Painting and Decorating
Colleges Paper Industry
Commercial Law Pediatrics
Commercial Schools Petroleum Refining
Computers Retailing Pharmaceuticals Retailing
Concrete Construction Photography
Confectionery Retailing Physical Therapy
Cotton Goods Manufacturing Plumbing Service
Cotton Marketing Postal Service
Cotton Growing Poultry Retailing
Criminal Law Printing
Dairy Farming Psychiatry
Dairy Products Retailing Public Relations
Dentistry Radio Broadcasting
Department Stores Radio Repair Service
Dry Cleaning Railroad Transportation
Dry Goods Retailing Real Estate Agency
Electric Equipment and Supplies Refrigerators & Freezers

Page | 14
 Retailing Religion
Electric Service Resorts
Express and Transfer Service Restaurants
Farming Sand & Gravel Distributing
Feed & Grain Retailing Savings & Loan Associates
Fire Protection Sheet Metal Working
Fish Products Packing Shoe Retailing
Flowers Retailing Surgery
Frozen Food Lockers Renting Taxi Service
Fruit Growing Telegraph & Cable Service
Fruit Packing Telephone Service
Fruit & Vegetable Buying Television Broadcasting
Fuel Oil Distributing Television Repair Service
Funeral Homes Textile Fiber Growing
Furniture Retailing Theaters
Garages Title Insurance
Gas Heating Tort Law
Grain Elevator Storage Universities
Groceries Retailing Welding Service
Hairdressing Window Glass Retailing
Hardware Retailing

  

Page | 15
Financial Obligations and Attendance
Requirements for the Rotary Club of

Financial Obligations

RI dues $ ________________
Club dues $________________ paid (semiannually/quarterly/monthly)
District dues $________________ paid (semiannually/quarterly/monthly)
Cost of meals $________________ paid (semiannually/quarterly/monthly/weekly)
Total $________________

Statements of dues are mailed to your residence. Please submit your payment by check to the
club secretary or treasurer.

Other Financial Considerations

The average annual contribution to The Rotary Foundation is $_________________ .
The average annual cost of participation in club and district events is $________________ .

Attendance Requirements
All Rotary clubs must abide by the 50 percent attendance rule set forth in article 12, section 4, of
the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. The Rotary Club of accepts this rule, which means that as
a member of our club, you are responsible for attending at least 50 percent of all club meetings
in a six-month period.

Attendance Options
If you’re unable to attend a meeting, you can make up that meeting by attending a meeting
of another Rotary club. For instance, if you’re on a business trip, you might attend a Rotary
club meeting in another city. You can also make up a meeting by attending an e-club
meeting online. Use the club locator at www.rotary.org to find meeting locations and
times.
If you’d like to make up a meeting at another Rotary club in this area:

The Rotary Club of ___________________________meets at__________ am/pm on (day of

week) at (address).

The Rotary Club of ___________________________ meets at __________ am/pm on (day of

week) at (address).

Page | 16
 OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
for NEW MEMBERS

CONGRATULATIONS! You have been proposed for membership in the Rotary Club of
______________________, a part of Rotary International (RI), the finest service organization in
the world. This information has been prepared to summarize the opportunities and
expectations of membership in our club.

1. BADGE - you will be given a red badge with your name and classification (your business
or profession). There is a list of requirements to fulfill in order to convert your badge
from red to blue. Leave your badge in the badge box after the meeting each week.
2. MENTOR - You will be assigned a mentor, someone other than the person who
proposed or sponsored you for membership, who will be available to answer your
questions,. He/she will also introduce you to others at lunch meetings, encourage you
to attend club functions, and monitor your attendance during your first six (6) months in
the club.
3. ATTENDANCE – New members are required to attend a minimum of 80% of their own
clubs’ regular meetings. If you are unable to attend, you may make up by attending
another Rotary meeting or function within two weeks, either before or after the missed
meeting, and letting the Secretary of this club know about your make-up. Other Rotary
club meeting dates, locations and times that meet in our immediate geographic area are
listed on our website and in our bulletin. Meetings throughout the world can be found
on the RI website (www.rotary.org) under “Club Locator” on the white bar. You can also
‘Make up” by spending 30 minutes on line at www.rotaryeclubone.org.
4. Dates and places of club board meetings will be announced. Attendance at one or more
of these meetings also counts as a makeup.
5. FINANCIAL –
a. The fiscal Rotary year is from July 1st through June 30th
b. Annual dues, which are $_________, may be prorated depending on the date
one becomes a member. The annual dues may be paid semi-annually.
c. During the weekly meetings, you will have an opportunity to support our club by
sharing ‘happy dollars; with your happy announcements; brevity is encouraged.
d. Upon occasion you should expect to be ‘recognized’ or ‘fined’ within a ‘spirit of
fun and fellowship at our regular meetings.
e. When you commit to join Rotary, you will be encouraged to contribute to the RI
Foundation ($50 or more); Each year you make a contribution to become a Paul
Harris Sustaining Member.

Page | 17
 f. Finally, you will be asked to serve on a committee, and to financially support our
fund raisers.
6. GREAT ROTARY DUCK RACE – The Rotary Club of ____________________________,
along with ten (10) other local clubs partake in a unified fund raising event once a year.
Each club member is asked to sell a minimum of three books of tickets and participate
fully in this fund raising effort.
7. LUNCH COST – Presently, the cost is $__________ including service charges. You may
choose to purchase a meal ticket with eleven meals on it for $99.00, paid in advance.
There is no replacement or refunds for the prepaid ‘discount’ meal tickets. If you should
attend a luncheon meting and choose not to dine, there is a minimum $5.00 cover
charge that you are expected to pay to help cover the room charge minimums. This
$5.oo entitles you to a drink and dessert.
8. PARTICIPATION – Our club’s annual events include ___________________________.
We have numerous community service projects which include
_______________________________. We also have a number of committees and
hands on projects to which you may volunteer or will be assigned.
9. AVENUES OF SERVICE – Every Rotary club engages in service in four categories: Club,
Vocational, Community and International. An example of Vocational Service is the
Scholarships we give local high school students who have turned their lives around and
the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. World Community Service includes our Group
Study Exchange and youth exchange programs, as well as projects what we assist in
foreign countries.
10. SOCIAL – Fellowship and fun are important to us. We offer various events that are
intended to promote fellowship among members, including ______________________.
Spouses and partners as well as other family members are most welcome as your
guests, as they are at any of our regular meetings.
11. ORIENTATION – You learn more about Rotary at “Firesides” offered at least once a
quarter in the evening and at other informal meetings designed for new member
orientation.
12. ORGANIZATOIN – Our club is in Rotary District 5110, which includes Southern Oregon
from Albany south to Northern California. We are in Zone 23 (Zone 23-24 is comprised
of the Western USA, Alaska and Hawaii). Each District has a Governor (DG), a District
Governor Elect (DGE), Assistant Governors (AG’s) and more. Your copy of the Rotarian
Magazine that you receive as an active Rotarian will have your member number above
your name.

There is a District Training Assembly (DTA) every April and a District Conference every
May for all members, geared toward fun and fellowship as well as information and

Page | 18
 inspiration. At the District Conference, all exchange students from the District as well as
the GSE (Group Study Exchange) teams are featured speakers and participants. The
next District Conference is in _____________________. The Rotary International
convention this year is in ___________________. All Rotarians are welcomed and
encouraged to attend these meetings.
13. LEADERSHIP POSITIONS – You will be asked to participate on one or more committees
and encouraged to serve in a leadership position. Board members are elected by the
general membership and serve two year terms.
14. TRADITIONS – Our Rotary Club was founded in ____________ and over the years has
developed many traditions, written and unwritten, remembered and forgotten,
honored and ignored. Your mentor can help you with these.

Each member of the club welcomes you to our membership. We hope your relationship with
Rotary will be long, enjoyable and mutually rewarding.

Thank you.
Presidents Name
Rotary Club of _________________

Page | 19
 SAMPLE 1 - “Red Badge” Requirements

Name _____________________________________ Date Inducted ____________________

RED BADGE REQUIREMENTS

Welcome to the Rotary Club of ______________. We want to get to know you and for you
to get to know our members and get involved in our programs. This checklist is a guide
to help you through your “red badge” orientation period. Rotary is only as strong as its
membership. We hope you will be an active participant in our activities. This sheet will
be kept in the red badge notebook at the check-in table. Please date the requirements as
you complete them. They do not need to be completed in order.

1. Do a makeup at another Club Date__________

2. Do a makeup on E-Club web site (www.rotaryeclubone.org) Date__________

3. Serve as a Club Greeter Date__________

4. Give a 5-10 minute vocational talk to the club Date__________

5. Attend a Fireside, holiday dinner or changing of the

guard dinner. Date__________

6. Participate in a club project such as food-drive, special

needs picnic or other community service project. Date__________

7. Join a Rotary standing committee Date__________

8. Assist two times at check-in table 1.) Date__________

2.) Date__________

In addition, new members are encouraged to attend a District Conference. More

information will be shared at meetings as it becomes available.

Upon completion of the above items, sign and return this form to the club secretary. The
secretary will replace your red badge with a permanent blue badge.

Signature_________________________________________________________

Page | 20
 SAMPLE 2 - “Red Badge” Requirements

Rotary Club of ______________________________

TASK LIST FOR NEW MEMBERS

Attend a ‘New Member Orientation’ Meeting

Perform each of the club host duties at least once:

Cashier Invocation

Greeter/Introducer Raffle

Provide at least one program for a club meeting as scheduled by Program Chair

Participate in at least one club service project.

Attend at least one board meeting.

Accompanied by a member of the Club Service Committee, attend at least one

meeting of another club in our area as a make-up or visit.

Give a brief autobiography to the club during a meeting to acquaint members

with your background, family, business and interests.

Give a brief summary of an article from The Rotarian Magazine during a meeting. (Rotary Minute)

Volunteer to participate on a Club Committee.

Attend a District activity such as the District Assembly or Conference, if practical.

Have each club member initial a club roster and take opportunity to get to know each other.

New members will be given a red name badge upon admission to the club. This will help other
members recognize you so that new members can be made to feel welcome. Upon completion of the
above requirements, new members will be given a permanent blue badge.

Note: The intent of this process is to help new members become better Rotarians.

When all tasks are checked off, please return this sheet to Name, Membership Chair. Thank you.

Page | 21
 SAMPLE Red Badge Information

Welcome to Our Club XXXXX,

We are truly pleased to have you as a member of _______________Rotary. As a new member, you have been
given a red name badge to wear at meetings. The red badge indicates to other Rotarians that you are a new
member. Members will make a special effort to greet you and get to know you. You too should feel at ease
greeting everyone. It is exceptionally easy at our club.

It is important for the vitality of our Club, and to the success of our projects to develop fellowship and
camaraderie between club members. To help us toward that goal, we also ask that you accept and accomplish
the prerequisites listed below with the help of your sponsor.

 Initial Committee Work – This is a great opportunity to meet and greet all of the membership WITH
their membership badges. You and your sponsor will begin being Greeters at our club meeting on
________________. Your sponsor will support you throughout your Red Badge programming.
o Additional Responsibilities include:
 Great Rotary Duck Race
 Attend a District Assembly or conference.
 Participate on the Auction Committee (an annual event)
 Eradicate Worldwide Polio Project
 Entertain our exchange students
 Participate in community service projects as they arise
 Attend a minimum of one board meeting with your sponsor; the meetings are held
_________________________________.
 We ask that you attend at least two Rotary club meetings other than ours with your sponsor.
 Give a 3-5 minute autobiography about yourself and your family
 Attendance is very important for you personally and for the relationships which develop within our club.
Therefore, during you Red Badge tenure, you will be expected to maintain an 80% attendance rate.
Please call your sponsor should you need to attend other Rotary clubs for make-ups…visits to other
Rotary clubs are interesting and fun!

Six months is the planned Red Badge time frame. Upon receiving your Blue badge, we envision your continuing
participation in club projects, activities and fellowship opportunities throughout your Rotary career.

This might sound like a regimented list of requirements; however, our ____________club family is here for each
and every member. Should you have any questions, issues, or needs, please know you can always call on any of
us. Truly, we are here to support YOU.

Thank you again for your belief in “Service above Self”

Page | 22
 Sample Welcome Letter #1
Date

Dear XXX,

Welcome to the Rotary Club of _______________ - we are pleased to welcome you to the Rotary Club
of _______________________ to become part of our community-spirited membership! Since the
founding of our club in ________, ______________________ Rotarians have made a lasting impact on
our community and I believe you will find the fellowship in our club enjoyable and the opportunities for
community service rewarding.

As with any organization, a Rotary club is only successful through active and continuing involvement of
its members. Active involvement begins with regular attendance of weekly club meetings and continues
with active participation by each and every Rotarian in one or more areas of community or club service.
Rotary International relaxed expectations for attendance a few years ago and now regards 50 percent
attendance as an acceptable level, although the goal for many Rotarians remains 100 percent
attendance. Be sure to let our club attendance secretary know of any make-up meetings you attend at
other area clubs or online; attendance at our monthly board meetings and participation in work parties
and fellowship events also counts as make-up for missed regular meetings.

Your sponsor, any board member or club officer, as well as the chair of our New Members Orientation
Committee, are available to answer your questions at any time. I would like to encourage your active
involvement in the club’s community service activities and future club events. Our program chair will
also call on you in the near future to schedule you for a classification talk to the club. Please review the
club committee structure and let me know any committees and events you may find of specific interest.
General club information, including an organizational and committee chart, calendar of events,
membership list, is available on our club website. Access to the “Members Only” area is for members
only and password-protected (User Name: xxxx Password: xxxx). The weekly bulletin and some club
communications will be sent to you via email, other announcements are made at our regular meetings.

Since you indicated interest in community service, I hope you will find your involvement in our club
rewarding and I really look forward to working with you on future club activities.

The Family of Rotary welcomes you and your family!

Emily Francona

President
Rotary Club of Port Orford

Page | 23
 Sample Welcome Letter #2

Dear XXXXX,

Welcome to the Rotary Club of _____________________. We are pleased to welcome you to become
part of our community-spirited membership. Since the founding of our club in ________,
______________________ Rotarian have made a lasting impact on our community and I believe you will
find the fellowship in our club enjoyable the opportunities for community service rewarding.

As with any organization, a Rotary club is only successful through active and continuing involvement of
its members. Active involvement begins with regular attendance of weekly club meetings and continues
with active participation by each and every Rotarian in one or more areas of community or club service.
Rotary International relaxed expectations for attendance a few years ago and now regards 50
percent attendance as an acceptable level, although the goal for many Rotarians remains 100 percent
attendance. Our club goal is to maintain a consistently higher attendance average than the expected
minimum. Be sure to let your club attendance secretary know of any make-up meetings you attend at
other area clubs or online; attendance at our monthly board meetings and participation in work parties
and fellowship events also counts as a make-up for missed regular meetings.

Your sponsor, any board member or club officer, as well as the chair of our Red Badge Committee, are
available to answer your questions at any time. I would like to encourage your active involvement in the
club’s community service activities and future club events. Please review the club committee structure
and let me know any committees and events you may find of special interest. General club information,
including an organizational and committee list, calendar of events, membership list, is available on our
club website. Access to the “members only“ area is for members only and password protected. The
weekly bulletin and some club communications will be sent to you via email, other announcements are
made at our regular meetings.

Since you indicated interest in ____________________________, I hope you will find your involvement in
our club rewarding and I really look forward to working with you on future club activities.

The Family of Rotary welcomes you and your family!!

Sincerely,

Name
Club President 08-09

Page | 24
 Sample Red Badge Induction 1

Fellow Rotarians:

Today we have the privilege of inducting ____________________into our Club.

In accepting membership, _______________has made a financial and personal involvement

commitment to our Club. In return I ask each member of this Club to make a commitment to extend a
personal invitation and encourage him/her to participate in one or more of our Club's activities this
coming year.

_______________, you have been chosen to membership in the Rotary Club of ________________
because your fellow members believe you to be a leader in your chosen field and because they believe
you manifest those qualities that will allow you to interpret and impart the Rotary message to the world.

No one is eligible to become a Rotarian unless in their business, professional and personal life they
endeavor to practice the principles of goodwill and of service. The members of this club have invited
you because they believe you are already motivated by these principles.

In electing you to membership, we are doing more than taking you into our fellowship. We are making
you a trustee with us of Rotary ideals, and while we retain no monopoly on service ideals we do, as
Rotarians, retain unquestionable responsibilities. Of the things you think, say, or do, we require that
you judge yourself by the Rotary Four-Way Test:

 Is it the truth?
 It is fair to all concerned?
 Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
 Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

We ask also that you reflect on the object of Rotary, which is to encourage and foster the ideal of service
as a basis for worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster

Page | 25
  first, the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
 second, high ethical standards in all relationships, the recognition of the worthiness of all
useful occupations, and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his or her occupation as an
opportunity to serve society;
 third, the application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his or her own personal,
business and community life;
 and fourth, the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a
World Fellowship of business and professional men and women united in the ideal of
service.

Today you have become an ambassador of our Club and our ideals to the members of your
profession and to the community as well as an ambassador from your profession to the
members of this organization. Knowing you to be a Rotarian, the world will now judge
Rotary by your conduct.

We trust you will be inspired and stimulated by the friendship you find here and may we in
return receive from you inspiration, stimulation, strength and friendship so that through
you we become better Rotarians. Fellow Rotarians, please rise and welcome
______________, our Club's newest Rotarian.

Adapted by the Rotary Club of Greater Grants Pass, 06/24/02

Page | 26
 Sample RED BADGE INDUCTION #2

Rotarian (Sponsor), will you please bring forward your nominee for
membership in our club. (New Member), you have been selected by the
members of this club to hold active membership and are hereby loaned the
classification of ______________________.

The principles, responsibilities and obligations of Rotary have been

explained to you, and you have expressed your willingness to become a
Rotarian. No one is eligible to become a Rotarian unless, in her business
or professional life, she endeavors to practice the principles of goodwill and
service.

The members of this club have invited you to join them because they
believe you are already actuated by these motives. In electing you to
membership we are doing more than taking you into our fellowship. We
are making you a trustee with us of Rotary’s ideals. Knowing you to be a
Rotarian, the world will henceforth judge Rotary by your conduct.

Membership in Rotary is an honor and privilege, and every privilege has its
corresponding obligations. One of the special obligations of membership is
regular attendance at the weekly meetings; it is the basic method of
fulfilling the principle of fellowship and also a way by which you represent
your vocation.

Every member is expected to perform his share of club and community

service, and the committees of the club will afford you opportunities to give
service.

Page | 27
Lastly, by no means least, is our ideal of friendship. As you expect to
receive, so give. May you be stimulated by the friendship you find here,
and may we in return know you to be an added source of strength to our
club.

Rotarians, please stand.

It is my privilege and honor to induct you as a member of the Rotary Club

of _______________________. I will now ask your sponsor to pin on
the emblem of our worldwide association. Wear it always and with
pride.

Fellow Rotarians, I present to you Rotarian (New Member), and I charge

you not to fail in your duty by giving her your friendship and helping to
make her membership useful and happy.

Page | 28
 SAMPLE “RED TO BLUE” BADGE INDUCTION

Rotarian Name, today, it is my honor to present to you with this blue

badge, a symbol that you have completed all of the requirements to
become a (YOUR CLUB) Rotarian, with all the rights, privileges and
responsibilities that come with that title. You now join more than 1.2
million Rotarians in over 160 countries worldwide with the vision and
commitment of SERVICE ABOVE SELF.
You join the ranks of such prominent Rotarians as Franklin D
Roosevelt, US President and member of the Rotary Club of Albany, NY;
of Charles Lindbergh, aviator, Rotary Club of St. Louis Mo; and Billy
Sunday, professional baseball player-turned preacher. You join the
ranks of such notable Rotarians as (a founding member of your club)
and (a founding member of your club), founding members…. Charter
members of this club; of (names of active members in your club) and
(active member), just a few of the members of this club who continue
to create a foundation for the delivery of Rotary service & principles in
our community and the world. You join countless individuals whose
drive and passion it is to make this world a better place, like (sponsor of
new member), who identified you and helped nurtured you through
the process of becoming a Rotarian. You can be proud to stand
shoulder to shoulder with these individuals.
Mother Theresa once said “No Rotarian whose motto is Service
Above Self, I think, should call himself a Rotarian if he does not make
time to serve.” You have demonstrated your willingness and desire to
serve and to be a part of this community with aspirations for a more
perfect society.
Whether delivering books to grade school children; contributing
to the Rotary Foundation; selling Duck Race Tickets or participating in
our fundraisers and projects, your presence and participation will speak
volumes to the recipients of your service.
Whether taking part in our social activities, being an active
participant on a club committee, filing a leadership role in the club, or
Page | 29
making up in another city, state or country, your presence and
participation will speak volumes to those you serve.
Whether helping to identify an international project, hosting a
GSE team member or attending weekly meetings, your presence and
participation will speak volumes to those you serve.
And today, I present you with this memento of your blue badge
induction to display in your home or office. It is a plaque of the Test of
Ethics of every Rotarian in the world… The 4-Way Test. Display this
plaque with pride; wear your Rotary pin proudly and announce to
everyone around you that YOU are making a difference.
Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union said
“Rotary is one of the most important and credible non-governmental
organizations in the world.” You are now a full, participating and active
member of this organization and it is my privilege to be the first to
welcome you.
  

Page | 30
 INSERT
YOUR Club’s
COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS
HERE

Page | 31
 BECOMING AN INVOLVED ROTARIAN

Questions to ask your club

These questions can help you get started on becoming more

active in your club and better informed about Rotary:
 What club committee could use my skills?
 What community service projects is my club sponsoring?
 Does my club participate in any programs, such as World
Community Service, Youth Exchange, Rotaract, or Rotary Youth
Leadership Awards?
 How can I assist my club officers?
 Who in my club can serve as my mentor?
 What opportunities are there for getting involved in international
service?
 Can I serve as a greeter at club meetings?
 How do I find out where to make up missed meetings?
 When is the district conference?

Page | 32
 Becoming an Involved Rotarian

 Review Rotary general material in your welcome folder

 Familiarize yourself with club specific material, including club structure,
committees, etc.
 Familiarize yourself with the club website
 Review club committee and events list in your folder and select several
activities of interest to you
 Volunteer for at least two committees and or/activities
 Attend a board meeting to learn about your clubs business
 Attend a committee meeting
 Participate in a hands-on work project
 Participate in a club fellowship event and fundraiser
 Bring a family member or partner to a club event or meeting
 Prepare a 10 minute classification talk to acquaint the club with your vocation
 Contribute to the Rotary Foundation and/or Polio Plus at your level of comfort
 Visit another Rotary club in the area
 Make up online (www.rotaryeclubone.org)
 Browse the district website (www.district5110.org)
 Attend a district training seminar and quarterly WCS Meeting
 Attend the District annual assembly/conference
 Read The Rotarian magazine to keep current on Rotary developments
 Review the new member information on the RI website
(http://www.rotary.org/en/Members/NewMembers/Pages/ridefault.aspx)
 Register on the “Member Access: page on the RI website to manage/update
your records (http://riweb/rotaryintl.org/)
 Invite a guest to a Rotary meeting or event
 Propose a qualified new member

Page | 33
INSERT
ROTARY
BASICS
HERE

Page | 34
 MEMBERSHIP IS EVERY ROTARIANS BUSINESS

Have YOU sponsored a new member this year? Last year? Ever? If the answer is
NO, your club needs your participation in this important aspect of club service.

Without an active and involved membership, your club cannot deliver effective
service projects to your local community or to the world community. Without a
solid membership, your club cannot raise sufficient funds for these worthy
projects. And without a good membership base even fellowship suffers
eventually.

SO – go out there and identify a friend, colleague, neighbor, new community

member with a good business reputation and an inclination for community
service. Pass that name to your club membership committee and bask in the
satisfaction that YOU have mad a positive contribution to YOUR club!

Respectfully submitted by
Emily Francona, D5110 South Coast Area Membership Coordinator

Let ‘US’ help ‘YOU’ sponsor a new member into our club.
Your friendly Membership Development and New Member Committee members….

Page | 35
Elements of Rotary Membership Growth
Clifford J. Dochterman Past RI
President
If I said I have some beautiful flowers here in my hand, I am sure you would not believe me. You can
easily see that all I have is a package of dried, brown seeds. These seeds are not beautiful flowers, and
they never will be unless we do something very important. We must plant them, water them, give them
plenty of sunlight, and help them grow if we want beautiful flowers to develop. In the same way, Rotary
membership in your district will not grow or blossom unless some very necessary steps are taken.

Why do Rotary International leaders keep emphasizing membership growth and development? The
answer is easy: Rotary’s very survival depends upon membership growth. It is a universal maxim that an
organization either grows or dies. Just as with a beautiful bouquet, we must re place the old flowers with
new flowers or the bouquet will soon wither and die. Tragically, other service clubs have suffered the
disaster of declining membership. We must not let that happen to Rotary International.

As you travel throughout your districts, you will be asked, “How do we expand or grow our
membership?” So let’s talk about how you are going to help your clubs expand their membership.
There are three distinct ways for Rotary membership to grow:
1. You can seek new members for your club.
2. You can retain your current members in your club.
3. You can sponsor a new club in your community.

Let’s look at some practical steps a club can take to make each of these three actions happen.

1. Rotary grows when you seek qualified new members. A club must have a specific plan.
The plan can take various forms, but the plan or the goal must be measurable. Just to say “Our club
needs more members” is not a goal or plan at all. It must be specific. If you say “We will bring in one new
member each month,” that is a real goal. It is measurable and accountable. How will you find that new
member?

Your specific plan could be based on a team approach, with several members on each team. The team
will meet and discuss qualified business, professional, and community volunteer leaders who should be in
Rotary. The team members will visit business establishments and talk with the managers and supervisors.
They will also discover executives who may work from an office in their own home. They should seriously
consider persons who may be the primary volunteer leaders in the community, even if they are not
attached to a business or profession.

Another plan is to identify prospects by assigning two members to visit with the establishments that are
not represented in Rotary. Representatives should be invited to Rotary as guests to learn more about
Rotary.

A third plan could be to establish one club meeting per month to be a “visitor day” to which all club
members would invite a friend or prospect to enjoy the program and learn about the good work of
Rotary in their community.

A fourth plan is designed around Rotary Foundation and RI programs alumni. Seek out those who may

Page | 36
have been an Ambassadorial Scholar, a member of a Group Study Exchange team, or a former member
of Rotaract. These are natural prospects, and so many alumni report that no Rotarian has ever invited
them to a Rotary meeting.

Another effective plan is to invite every club member to prepare a list of their personal contacts: their
accountant, attorney, dentist, physician, minister, adult sons and daughters, business dealers or suppliers,
insurance executive, and other individuals whose services they seek and use. From these lists, the
membership team may create many prospects to be guests to the club and, frequently, membership
prospects develop.

One effective plan for those clubs with a substantial number of retired Rotarians is to ask each retired
person to name the best person in the community who is performing the work they previously did. New
prospects may quickly develop.

Another plan is to look into your community for diversity. Are there ethnic communities where Rotary is
not known or ever considered? Are there areas where Rotary has somehow neglected to seek
membership?

Another promising plan is to extend a welcome invitation to women business and professional executives
and eligible spouses of Rotarians who fulfill the requirements of membership. If you have clubs in your
district that still believe men are the only business and professional managers and supervisors in the
world, then you may also have an informational task to perform. Much of the business of the world is
being conducted by outstanding women, and they deserve to be in Rotary. If there are Rotary clubs that
can’t handle this, then step out and organize a new club that includes both male and female members
who fully meet the qualifications of Rotary.

I am sure that there are other effective plans for identifying and inviting deserving men and women into
Rotary. It is well known that the reason many highly qualified managers and executives do not belong to
Rotary is the simple fact that they have never been asked. Your task, as district governor, is to give clubs
practical tools to create a specific place to identify the men and women who should be qualified
prospects and then to invite them to become active Rotarians. Let’s move to the second topic.

2. We can expand Rotary membership by retaining the members you currently have. Every business
knows that it is far easier to retain a good customer than it is to find a new one. We know that about 15
percent of all Rotarians leave Rotary each year. Obviously, we are unable to change the fact that each
year some Rotarians will die. But what suggestions are you going to give your clubs to retain their current
members who drop out of their Rotary club? And many Rotarians leave within the first year or two after
joining

The first step to retaining a member occurs the day a member joins the club, or maybe even before. A
high-quality orientation about Rotary is absolutely vital. Each new member deserves a dignified
introduction to Rotary. New members must be given information about the interesting history, traditions,
and customs of Rotary. Sponsors or senior mentors can introduce new Rotary experiences to new
members. All new Rotarians must be brought into the wide circle of friends we call the family of Rotary.

The second important step is to immediately give each new member a worthwhile and meaningful task
within the club. The new members must be involved in the social and service activities of the club from
the very outset. Only when new members begin to feel that they have useful jobs in the club will they feel
that they are fully a part of the club and have actually become Rotarians.

A third suggestion in retaining members is to recognize the impact that modern technology is having

Page | 37
on young business and professional people today. The demands on the 21st-century executive or
manager are far different from those of 30 or 40 years ago. With laptops, text messaging, iPhones, and
the ever increasing technical forms of communication, the current executive is expected to make
instant decisions and be on call 24 hours a day, even when offices may be located on the other side of
the world. Many managers and supervisors do not have the option to make a decision or respond
“when I get back from my Rotary lunch.” I see far too many young Rotarians and even prospective
members being pushed out the door when their clubs still insist that “our standard is 100 percent
attendance.” Our RI Bylaws only expect 50 percent attendance. The truth is, if we want to attract new
generations to join Rotary, many of us in the older generations must be willing to change some of our
thinking, provide a little more freedom in our regulations, and give a lot more consideration to the
demands and expectations that business and professional executives face today.

Another serious retention factor is the degree to which new members are actually welcomed into the old,
established circles of the club. How many clubs have that wonderful group of longtime Rotary friends who
always sit every week at the same table and would never think of inviting a new member or prospect to
join their group? Have you been to a club where they say, “Oh, you can’t sit there. That is Charlie’s chair —
he has been sitting there for the past 20 years!” These wonderful friends would never think that they are
actually depriving other members of their friendship and are not actually part of the total fellowship of the
club. Soon, new members and visiting guests realize that they have not become a part of those small
circles of friends. And someone who intended to be a good Rotarian becomes a casualty to Rotary.

One of the most critical reasons we do not retain some members is that the quality of our club meetings,
service activities, and social events is just not worth the time of busy people. Club meetings must be
interesting, enjoyable, fun, and worthwhile if we expect to retain the interest of business executives. A
club that settles for dull, uninteresting, and poorly organized meetings will be a club with real retention
problems. Rotarians should look forward to attending an interesting weekly meeting, or they may soon
find themselves passing their Rotary meeting by to accept other business, family, and community
responsibilities.

Another significant retention step is to assist a member in joining another Rotary club, even one who is
leaving your club by changing business or moving to another town. When a good Rotarian moves away,
we have a responsibility to advise the club in the other city that a Rotarian has moved into their
community. We may lose a member in our club but can retain him or her in Rotary by suggesting the
member’s name to another club.

Finally, we must be alert to the symptoms that lead to resignation. Frequently missed attendance, failure
to participate in social events, lack of interest in service projects or club fundraisers, and apparent family
or business problems may all be signals that a member may soon resign. Here is where club leaders can
have a kind, personal discussion and may save the prospective dropout. Occasionally, just a thoughtful
conversation may provide an answer to a potential retention problem. That is the real spirit of the family
of Rotary. Now, let’s look to that third procedure to build Rotary membership.

3. You can sponsor a new club in your community. Of course, you will hear a few of those well-worn
comments: “Our city is too small for another Rotary club” or “We tried that once be fore” or even “If
there were any qualified people, we would take them into our club.” Those are not the comments we
need to build Rotary membership for the future. No one suggests building another Rotary club just like
the one we have. Why not think about a new kind of Rotary club in your community?

How about a new Rotary club with all young executives and professionals under the age of 40? The
nucleus of this new club might be former Rotoractors, former Group Study Exchange team members or

Page | 38
Foundation alumni, or even young executives whose schedules make it impossible to attend at the time
the older clubs meet.

How about a new Rotary club in an ethnic or minority section of your community and chartering a group
of members who share common economic and cultural interests but may have never been invited to the
older club?

How about a new Rotary club composed of both male and female executives in a community that has
not previously taken the step to include women members in Rotary?

How about a new Rotary club for members who are unable to attend the traditional luncheon or dinner
meetings? This could be a breakfast club or late afternoon meeting. Consider a club with sack luncheons
and no fees. Maybe start a Saturday club that meets at a golf course an hour or so before tee time. There
are younger generations who have the same motivation for service and fellowship, but they may also have
entirely new concepts of how and when a Rotary club can meet and function.

How about a new Rotary club in a shopping mall or an airport complex, or even a high rise office building
or on a large university campus? Don’t think about cloning your existing club. The new century of Rotary
requires and permits a new vision of fellowship and service.

Our original question was: How can we help Rotary membership to grow? Remember those dried, brown
flower seeds? We said they would only become flowers after they wee planted, given sunlight, weeded,
and cultivated to grow. So Rotary will only grow when you take some important actions. Your clubs must
have a plan to find and invite new members. Your clubs must become so effective that they will retain
their current members. And we must reach out to new segments of our communities and build new clubs.

If Rotary is to grow, we must take action. We must take action if you want beautiful flowers to bloom.
(presenting a bouquet of flowers from under the lectern ) No longer can Rotary International permit a
slow decline in our worldwide membership. Rotary can blossom, just like those dried brown seeds.

My friends, you are the leaders. The task is in your hands. Membership development is up to you. The
bigger question: Are each of you up to the task? I think you are, so go to it!

International Assembly Speeches 2008

  

Page | 39
 MEMBERSHIP RETENTION
We are very good at inviting people to join Rotary, we are not so good at keeping them in
Rotary. Membership Retention is a global issue facing not only Rotary but other service
organizations as well.

People join Rotary for a variety of reasons, but mostly they join to give back to the community
and enjoy the feeling of Service Above Self. When the club is not actively involved in either local
or international community service that warm feeling of accomplishment is missing and people
turn elsewhere to find it.

What I am trying to say, is that Club and Community Service when they are at their best will be
your best tools at membership retention. Your members want to be busy, and involved, so make
sure that they all are. Make sure you are educating them well, teaching them about Rotary, and
about the Foundation. The more they know about Rotary, and the more they are actively
involved, the harder it is for them to leave. They have a true purpose in staying. This also makes
your club very effective and accomplished, which will grow your membership without much
effort.
Retention Techniques
Chairperson DGE Julie Ann Julian

"Club Projects” Increase Rotary Club Membership and Build Strong Rotarians
Club Projects Benefit Your Rotary Club
Allows You To Help Others and Do Rotary Service Work
Personally Gratifying for Club Members
Keeps Your Club Members Active and Interested
Increases Club Meeting Attendance Because They Are Working On a Project
Brings In New Members - Visibility & Increased Club Member Pride
Allows Club Members To Get To Know One Another - Builds Fellowship
Gets New Members and Senior Members Active
Builds New Leadership In The Club
Builds Visibility In Your Community – Publicity

Where To Find New Ideas For Club Projects

Club Programs
Club Members
Other Rotary Clubs
New Members
Community Needs - Newspapers
The District Web Site - “The District Ways & Means Guide"
The District Web Site - "The District Vocational Service Guide"
"The District Directory"- District Committees
While Traveling – Look for International Projects
All Other Organizations - Non-Profits, Schools, Hospitals Senior Citizen, Religious

Successful Rotary Club Projects Will

Increase Your Club Member’s Rotary Knowledge and Awareness
Build Future Club Leaders
Increase Attendance, Participation & Fellowship
Increase Networking with other Rotary Clubs and your Community
Promote Rotary Within Your Community
Lead "Future Rotarians" To Your Club Increase Club Membership

Page | 40
 Ten Steps to Welcoming a
______________________Rotarian

1. Invite prospective member to lunch. Do not introduce them as a potential

member. Get a free lunch for both sponsor and invitee on second visit.
2. Get New Member Proposal Form from Secretary or on website. Submit signed
forms to Secretary.
3. Following Board approval, the Secretary forwards the New Member Proposal
Form to the Membership Chair and the Bulletin Editor.
4. The Bulletin editor published the name, classification, sponsor and deadline for
objections for a minimum of two weeks.
5. At the expiration of the publication period, a Rotary Information meeting with the
proposed member and sponsor is set up. The date, time and location of the
meeting are sent to the President, chairs of Membership, Past President, and
others as appropriate.
6. The sponsor joins the proposed member at the Rotary Information meeting (or
Fireside). The proposed member is given a checklist of duties and pays
membership and initiation fees, which are forwarded to the Treasurer.
7. The Membership Chair coordinates with the President to schedule the induction.
The secretary, sponsor and Bulletin Editor are notified of the induction date. The
information is published by the Bulletin Editor.
8. The Secretary obtains the Red Badge, new member packet and pin.
9. The sponsor and proposed member sign in as guests on the induction date. The
sponsor gives a brief biographical introduction of the Proposed Member
immediately before the induction. The Bulletin Editor reports the induction in the
next Bulletin.
10. The Secretary includes the New Member in the club directory and orders the
New Members Blue Badge.

Page | 41
DO YOU KNOW?

A. That the first time you bring a prospective member to a Delta Rotary
luncheon meeting, YOU are obligated to pay for your guest’s lunch?
B. However, the second time you bring the same prospective member/guest to
a Delta Rotary luncheon meeting, the CLUB will host and pay for your
guest’s lunch (Sorry, buy you still buy your own lunch on this visit.)
C. Then, on the BIG DAY of your new member’s induction, the CLUB is happy
to host both your lunch as well as the new members lunch. Why? Because
we appreciate your efforts to introduce a friend and/or colleague to join
Delta Rotary.

And that’s how the FREE LUNCH incentive program works.

Who do you know that you consider a friend and/or business associate that you
could invite to lunch to experience our own friendly and service oriented Delta
Rotary Club.

Of course, this program is predicated on The Four Way Test.

Respectfully,

Your friendly Membership & Development Committee

Page | 42
 ROTARY CLUB OF ______________________

Proposed Member Information

Proposed Member’s Name___________________________________________________________

1. How Long have you known the proposed: _________years _________ Months
2. How long has she/he been in his/her profession? _________years _________ Months
3. How long has she/he lived in this community? _________years _________ Months
4. Have you had business dealings with him/her? __________Yes __________No
5. Is she/he the owner, partner, corporate officer,
manager – or serving in an executive capacity
__________Yes __________No
within the business for which he/she is being
proposed?
6. Does she/he represent community service and
__________Yes __________No
honesty?
7. If he/she becomes a member, will you make
her/him our special charge for sixty days to help
__________Yes __________No
indoctrinate him/her into our club and to
support make-up meetings?
8. Has she/he ever been a Rotarian? __________Yes __________No
9. If so, where? ____________________________________________

Proposed by:___________________________________________________________________________________________
Please Print

Page | 43
 Rotary Club of __________________________
Membership Proposal Statement
Statement to be signed by proposed member after club’s board of directors has approved the proposal.

I hereby certify that I am qualified for membership both by the

current/former executive position and by having a place of business or
residence within the club’s territorial limits, adjoining territory, or the
same city in which the club is located.

I understand that it will be my duty, if elected, to exemplify the Object of

Rotary in all my daily contacts and activities and to abide by the
constitutional documents of Rotary International and the club. I agree
to pay an admission fee of $_______________ and the annual dues of
$____________________ in accordance with the bylaws of the club. I hereby
give my permission to the club to publish my name and proposed
classification to its membership.

Date Candidates Signature

Rotary Club of ________________Club Information

Classification:______________________________________________________________
Member Type: Active:__________________ Honorary:_______________
Attendance Type: Ordinary:________________ Exempt:________________
Proposed Date: ___________________Board Approved Date:_______________
Published Date:___________________ Induction Date:______________________
Sponsor:___________________________________________________________________
Paul Harris Fellow: Yes________ No ________
If yes, which Rotary year? ________/________ (i.e. 2002/2003)

For Club Secretary Use Only

RI Number ________________________________ PHF/SM Number:___________________________

Page | 44
 Insert
YOUR CLUB’S
MEMBERSHIP PROPOSAL FORM

Page | 45
 Sponsor Responsibilities

 Consider only quality prospective members who would be an asset to the

club:
o individuals with personal and professional integrity
o excellent business and professional reputation
o residing within the club’s geographic area
o with interest in community service and fellowship
 invite prospective member as a guest to at least three club meetings,
fellowship event or work project
o host him/her as lunch guest at regular meetings or event
o introduce him/her to the club and individual Rotarian
 discuss with prospective member the Rotary concept of Service Above Self ,
the object of Rotary, the Four-Way Test, membership privileges and
responsibilities, and the club’s 50+ year history of community and world
service and fellowship
 determine prospect’s professional/business background and time availability
for Rotary service
 determine prospect’s commitment to community service and areas of interest
for club service
 complete RI Membership Proposal Form (available from club website or club
secretary) – do not tell prospect, in case there is an objection or classification
problem
 submit completed proposal form to club secretary before a monthly board
meeting & be prepared to brief club board on proposed member’s
background and suitability for membership

Page | 46
 following board approval and no objections from club members, club
secretary and membership chair will schedule a pre-induction meeting with
proposed member & sponsor
 accompany prospective member to the pre-induction meeting to determine
his/her willingness & ability to meet Rotary membership responsibilities:
o active involvement, attendance requirements, financial obligations,
and specific interest in club projects and committees
 accompany and host prospective new member at induction ceremony and
invite family/spouse to attend
 conduct new Rotarian’s orientation, with membership committee:
o ensure new member feels welcome at club meetings and meets all
members
o answer new member’s questions about Rotary and club
o acquaint new member with Rotary customs (greetings, seating, fines,
happy dollars, make-ups, membership pin, visiting Rotarians, guests,
TRF contributions)
o suggest committee for new member’s involvement
o familiarize new member with Rotary customs and guide his/her
involved in club activities
o explain, with TRF chair, the annual Rotary Foundation giving program
o monitor, with secretary and membership committee chair, new
member’s attendance to avoid endangering membership status
o encourage new member to visit other clubs when traveling
o invite new member to attend the annual district assembly and
conference
 REMAIN A FRIEND AND MENTOR

Page | 47
 Membership Satisfaction Survey

I am VERY SATISFIED / SATISFIED / DISSATISFIED with my participation in club activities and projects.
(Circle the appropriate response)
If you are dissatisfied, why? (Please mark all that apply)
 Insufficient Knowledge  Lack of Resources
 Personality Conflicts  Lack of support from other members
 Cost  Insufficient Family Involvement
 Personal time conflicts  Other (please explain)_______________________
How do you feel about the following costs associated with membership in our club?
TYPE OF COST PERCEPTION OF COST
Club Dues  Excessive  Reasonable  Inadequate
Cost of weekly meetings  Excessive  Reasonable  Inadequate
Amount of Cub fines/assessments  Excessive  Reasonable  Inadequate
Voluntary contributions to service projects  Excessive  Reasonable  Inadequate
Do you enjoy our weekly meetings?  Yes  No
Please circle the appropriate response in the following questions:
The amount of Rotary content in our meetings is ADEQUATE / EXCESSIVE / INSUFFICEINT.
The length of our meetings is ADEQUATE / EXCESSIVE / INSUFFICEINT.
Our club should have MORE / THE SAME / FEWER fellowship activities.
Our club bulletin contains SUFFICIENT / EXCESSIVE / INSUFFICIENT Rotary information.
Our club bulletin is (please circle all that apply) INTERESTING / USEFUL / INFORMATIVE /
BORING / LIMITED / UNINFORMATIVE.
Our meetings are WELL ORGANIZED / POORLY ORGANIZED.
Our meeting time is CONVENIENT / INCONVENIENT If inconvenient, suggest an alternate
time:_____________.
The location of our meeting is CONVENIENT / INCONVENIENT.
If inconvenient, suggestion for a different location:_________________________
Which of the following aspects of our meeting place to you find to be unsatisfactory? (mark
all that apply)
 Service  Décor/Atmosphere
 Meal Quality  Meal Variety
 Parking Availability  Safety of the area in which it is located
 Other (please Explain)______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
The following changes would improve our club meetings:
 Better speaker  More focus on fellowship
 Increased Variety of Program topics  Increased focus on Vocational Information
 More involvement of family  Better time management
 More Service Opportunities  More leadership opportunities
Is there anything else you would like to see changed?
____________________________________________________________________
How does your spouse/partner/family feel about your involvement in Rotary?
 Proud of my involvement  Feels it takes too much of my time
 Wants to know more/be involved  Feels it is too expensive
 Seeks interaction with other Rotary spouses/partners/families
 Other. Please explain:___________________________________________________

Thank you for taking the time to complete the questionnaire and for your commitment to improving
our club.

Page | 48
 D5110 Suggested New Member Kit

 New Member Information Kit (426-EN, $5.50)

o Welcome to Rotary Folder (265-MU)
o ABCs of Rotary (363-EN)
o RI Theme Brochure 2008-09 (900-08EN)
o Rotary’s US$100 Million Challenge Brochure (986-EN)
o Rotary Foundation Facts (159-EN)
o The Rotary Foundation Quick Reference Guide (219-EN)
o RI Annual Report (187A-EN)
 Rotary Basics (595-EN, $0.75)
 This Is Rotary (001-EN, $0.50)
 What is Rotary? (419-EN, $0.08)
 ABCs Of Rotary (363-EN, $3.50)
 RI Theme Brochure 2008-09 (900-08, $0.50)
 New Member Orientation (414/424-EN, $1.00)
 How to Propose a New Member (254-EN, $0.25; or free download at
http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/254en.pdf)
 The Object of Rotary/Four-Way Test (free download at
http://www.rotary.org/en/aboutus/rotaryinternational/GuidingPrin
ciples/Pages/ridefault.aspx)
 Why Join a Local Rotary Club? (free download at
http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/memb_why_join.pdf)
 Information for New Rotarians (download free at
http://www.rotary.org/en/Members/Training/ForAllRotarians/Page
s/ridefault.aspx)
 Declaration of Rotarians in Business & Professions (attached)
 Rotary Membership Responsibilities & Non-Attendance Rules (attached)
 The Rotary Foundation Brochure (159-EN, free from TRF)
 Guide to Annual Giving (957-EN, free from TRF)
 Every Rotarian Every Year Brochure (957-EN, free from TRF)
 Two Needs, Two Ways of Giving (173-EN, free from TRF)
 Club Member Badge (vendor dependent $)
 Membership Pin (vendor dependent $)
 Rotary Year Motto Pin (vendor dependent $)
 Club President’s Welcome Letter (club-specific)
 Sponsor’s & Membership Chair’s Contact Information (club-specific)
 Club Brochure (club-specific)
 Club Website access (club specific)
 Online Make-up Instructions (club-specific)

Total $6.58
Service Above Self!

Page | 49