District Leadership Weekend 09 – April

Rotary in – Rotary launches the National Rotarian. The 12-page periodical includes an essay written by Paul Harris about the purpose of Rotary clubs. 2District Leadership Weekend

Past RI President Clem Renouf addressing the 1978 convention in Tokio. “We take individuals into our clubs — good, new, potentially active members— and think that we are increasing our membership. But unless we motivate them, unless we engage them in challenging programs, it is inevitable that many of these members will just quietly drop out.” District Leadership Weekend3

Past RI President James Conway at the Honolulu convention in The age level of Rotarians has crept up. Each year, on average, Rotary loses 10 percent of its membership. In order to offset these losses and strengthen our clubs, we need to bring in thousands of good, high-quality younger Rotarians so as to create a better age balance. District Leadership Weekend4

Past RI President Everett Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1921 Many people have entered Rotary in the past, not knowing the true meaning of the organization. As a result, many Rotary clubs have weakened themselves by the admission of new members who have not become educated as to Rotary. District Leadership Weekend5

Membership Concerns Retention Rate Inducting Younger Members Education of our New Members District Leadership Weekend6

Statistics June 30, ,215,083 Members 31,351 Rotary Clubs June 30, , 215,309 Members 34,103 Rotary Clubs 2,552 New Rotary Clubs An increase of 226 Members Since million Members have been Inducted District Leadership Weekend7

Rotary as a Business Members are our Customers Currency – Time and Money What Value do we Give our Customers in Return for their Payment of Time and Money? Unsatisfied Customers take their Business Elsewhere Unsatisfied Members leave to seek Fulfillment Somewhere Else. District Leadership Weekend8

The Rotary Brand “A brand is an expectation, a promise — a promise you make and keep in everything that you do. An effective brand separates the organization from its competitors. If a brand is strong and clear, the organization is healthy and competitive. If a brand is confusing or has no distinctive elements, the product or service is nothing more than just another commodity. If Rotary’s brand were succinct and inspiring, our membership would become more vibrant. Pride to be a Rotarian would become even more contagious. Visiting prospective members would feel the energy. They would want to be a part of it. They would want to join the club. They would stay.” District Leadership Weekend9

Club Identity Identify who we are Seek our Men and Women who Share these same Characteristics. District Leadership Weekend10

Costs and Benefits Costs: Time, Money, Energy Benefits: Networking, Fellowship, Personal and Business Growth, The Opportunity to Serve District Leadership Weekend11

John C. Smarge “Recruits will not join, nor will they stay, unless benefits exceed costs. We can help the younger group discover how satisfying it is to replace Facebook with real-face time. We can watch as their expressions change when they experience the energy of a firm handshake and a friendly smile compared to an impersonal digital text or tweet. District Leadership Weekend12

John C. Smarge To change the path we have traveled for decades is by no means easy. It starts with our clubs taking a good hard look at all components of their organization — keeping what works and discarding what doesn’t. It might require doing away with outdated traditions or resurrecting a successful project from the past. Rotarians have always been resourceful. Today, we need to challenge each club to be realistic.” District Leadership Weekend13

Our Need to Change There are People who are Ready for Change There are People who Fear Change. District Leadership Weekend14

Past RI President Saboo "Change is essential to our evolution as an individual and as an institution. It is necessary for our survival. Ordinary leaders fight it; visionary leaders delight in it. Ordinary leaders imitate; visionary leaders innovate. Change is the factor that offers new opportunity, new horizons and new leads to progress." District Leadership Weekend15

Our Need to Change Keep the Foundational Elements Change the Surface Elements Meetings times and structure Meeting location Member involvement Committee formats District Leadership Weekend16

Demographic Numbers Traditionalist (65+ years old) & Baby boomers (ages 47 to 65) represents 70% of all Rotarians. Generation X (30 to 46 year olds) represents 28% of our membership 2% of Generation Y (millennials under 30) is in our clubs. District Leadership Weekend17

Recruit Members Early Youth Programs Youth Exchange, RYLA Ambassadorial Scholars Interact, Rotaract and Earlyact District Leadership Weekend18

Why we Need to Change 2% of our Members are Under 30 11% of our Members are under 40 68% of our Members are over the age of 50 Are we appealing to the Younger Age Group? District Leadership Weekend19

Katie Ischkin a 27 year old Rotarian Three Points we Need to Look at: Keep the Core of Rotary but Change the Surface Elements Non-Traditional Club Structure Expectations vs Realities District Leadership Weekend20

Rotary Club of South Metro Minneapolis Evenings Evening Club No meals High Turn Over Rate and Expected Use of Skype for those who Cannot Attend Physically Regular Meeting Every Other Week Happy Hour/Networking Meeting Hands-on Volunteering Opportunity District Leadership Weekend21

Understanding the Realities of the New Generation We Need to Manage Expectations vs Realities Always on the Go and Truly Connected Involvement While Maintaining Work-Life Balance The New Generation is as Dedicated and Passionate About Rotary as the Next Member. District Leadership Weekend22

Take the Time to Adapt Do Expectations Align with Whom you want to Attract? List What you can Change Take baby steps towards those changes Open your Mind to New Ways District Leadership Weekend23

Membership Break-Out Identifying New and Innovative Ways to Attracting New Members Hosted by: Sue Croft – Chair District Membership Committee District Leadership Weekend24

Rotary IS our Future! District Leadership Weekend25

District Leadership Weekend26 Thanks for promoting membership in District 7010