District Vision Installment 2

 

CONTINUING THE DISTRICT VISION ROLL OUT

As you may remember in the July issue of our District Newsletter, DG Kevin presented an overview of the work our District did to develop this Vision and its key points.
 
This month, we are looking at the Membership section of the District Strategic Plan paired with the Visioning points on how we have attained this strategic area of focus. In the Vision, we talk about as if this is the Rotary year 2017 – 2018. This allows us to have measurement tools for assessing our successes. Being a vision we can update it and re-focus, as necessary.
 
Frequently we hear that we are too stringent in our attendance requirements, making it difficult to recruit members. We listened and now we encourage clubs to seek innovative ways of engaging members through participation in community service projects, for which members may be passionate. Community service project engagement will count towards attendance requirements rather than enforcing weekly meeting attendance. For those who have participated in hands-on projects, you know that sense of shared accomplishment forges deep friendships. Rotary friendships bolster retention.
 
 
 
The District’s Alumni Chair guides those who have benefitted from Youth Exchanges, RYLA participation and former Rotaractors to move along the Rotary continuum firstly into Young Rotarians (under forty) clubs, a new innovative clubs that may be action oriented on short-term hands-on projects suiting busy young professionals as they balance work, family and Rotary. These short burst projects may fit their timeframe more appropriately. It is their enthusiasm and passion, we wish to harness as they grow in Rotary.
 
Buffalo Niagara Medical Center Rotary Club (BNMC) was our District’s first foray into targeted clubs based on a vocation or industry. It has been highly successful. Members meet after work for a Rotary meeting with a speaker, but no meal. Following this shortened meeting, some members head off to family commitments, others return to work, while some meet at a local restaurant to share in more Rotary fellowship. Do you know an area of our District that may be under-served as our traditional community Rotary model doesn’t work well given work schedules?
 
You care for you community. You want to contribute to a global project, such as End Polio Now. You are a busy corporate executive who wants your company to participate in community betterment. You know Rotary is the answer. But, you cannot make it work. Timing, travel, and unending meetings ensures you cannot make many meetings. Well, Rotary has the answer. Corporate membership, or family membership or how about an affiliate membership, there are choices. Many clubs are exploring membership options to find the way to attract new members.
 
It was with regret that clubs watched a seasoned member walk away. “Why?” you would say. Clubs, now, take every opportunity to celebrate their member‘s accomplishments rather than focusing solely on the induction of new members. This has created a deeper bond within clubs lessening the loss of seasoned members and a greater sense of fellowship within clubs.
 
Watch for the continuation of the Vision Roll-Out in the September Newsletter.
 
Strategic Area of Focus
DISTRICT 7090 VISION 2015 – 2018
THE VOICE OF THE FOLLOWING POINTS ARE AS IF WE ARE CURRENTLY IN 2018
To find innovative ways to help clubs attract, engage and retain members.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     The development of several different options for new and struggling clubs to embrace involving alternative ideas for hosting meetings and ways to account for service rather than simply by meeting attendance.
     A District transition team works with the Alumni Chair, guiding Youth Exchange, RYLA participants and former Rotaract members to Young Rotarians and on to traditional Rotary Clubs, thus eliminating any gaps in service.
Using the model of the BNMC Club and the targeted sourcing in concentrated areas of business for the development of new Clubs, rather than focusing on cities and towns brought a number of new energetic clubs in high growth hubs often with a common vocational focus.
     With the addition of different categories of membership and guidelines, Rotary District 7090 ensured membership is affordable and amenable to all - i.e. Corporate   membership, family membership, and associate membership.
     The encouragement of clubs to celebrate their member‘s accomplishments rather than focusing solely on the induction of new members created a deeper bond within clubs lessening the loss of seasoned members and a greater sense of fellowship with clubs.