You may know that my passion in Rotary is Our Rotary Foundation. I am continually amazed by The Foundation's good works. Actually, these are the good works of Rotarians delivered through the Foundation. We must enable with our gifts.
Supporting the Annual Programs Fund is something I have asked of each club this year. I have visited you and talked of what I believe is our responsibility as Rotarians to fund the continued good works through the Annual Programs Fund.
50% of our APF gift comes back to the District in three years as District Designated Funds. Those funds fuel our dynamic projects. DDF makes it possible for us to fund District Simplified Grants for projects in the communities of D6900. DDF dollars also make it possible to participate in many of the programs important to our District. Scholarships are funded with DDF. We sponsor our Group Study Exchange team with DDF.
This year, following a highly successful Projects Fair where clubs were partnered for service, we were informed that Matching Grants funding had been fully committed and there would be no money for new projects in 2009-2010. We responded by devoting our remaining DDF to the funding of our international projects. The projects and the partnerships were too important to abandon. Besides, we can't take a year off. There is still hunger and thirst and people who need our help. We must serve and deliver the much needed Rotary service product.
With only club funds and DDF we are completing more projects, with more clubs participating, than ever before in D6900 history! We have some clubs doing their first-ever international projects.
The importance of continued giving to the Annual Programs Fund cannot be overstressed.
Competing for our dollars is the aggressive PolioPlus Gates Matching Grant program. We have exceeded our goal in response to the Gates Challenge. The District has now responded generously to two disasters - one was the flood that affected communities in our District. The other is a disaster of much greater magnitude in Haiti.
Now, at the half-way point in our year of service we must take stock. Where do we stand in Annual Giving? Where will we be three years from now when we need to fund the dynamic works of this District? I report to you that the next several months will do everything to make our year. We started off better than in any previous year. We are slightly behind now and that is because we have had other programs to support. It is time to refocus on Annual Giving.
I encourage you to ask every member of your club for a generous gift to the Annual Programs Fund. Become an EREY club with a gift from every member. Become a Sustaining Member Club with every member gifting at least $100 this Rotary year to the Annual Programs Fund.
We have welcomed 3 new 100% Paul Harris Fellow Clubs this year. Will your club join the ranks?
Paul Harris Fellow is not a destination. Some Rotarians reach PHF status and stop giving. The best time to start another PHF is when you have just received or awarded one. Rotary needs our continual support- and as Rotarians, we have an obligation to support Our Foundation.
Our Paul Harris Society is largest in the Rotary world. Join me and the other D6900 Rotarians who gift the APF at least $1,000 a year. These gifts make a difference for others and membership in the PHS moves you toward Major Donor status at a much faster pace than through Sustaining membership.
We have added already this year more Major Donors than in any previous year. I encourage you to find more Rotarians willing to take the next step to Major Donor status.
I have helped raise a lot of money for TRF over the past few years. Let me share my "secret". I share with my fellow Rotarians the wonderful good works of TRF and then I respectfully ask that they join me in support of TRF's Annual Programs Fund - as a Paul Harris Fellow, a Paul Harris Society Member, or as a Major Donor - whichever is appropriate for the circumstance.
You know what? There are very few turn-downs. A lot of Rotarians are happy to make that additional gift and only needed to be asked. In sales, that's called "asking for the order".
I request that you ask your members (most effectively one-on-one) to support The Rotary Foundation's Annual Programs Fund.
Our wonderful Rotary Foundation Team is ready to assist you in any way. Call on them.
Let's continue to lead. The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.
DG Roy
Rotary International District 6900
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Let's Talk Membership!
A Discussion of Best Practices
The official visits have been completed. Almost without exception, the clubs I have visited have wanted to talk about membership growth and retention. I've had some experience there (and some success) with my own club. In 2006-2007, Smyrna Rotary grew by 85% - almost doubling in size -in only 9 months. How was it done? Read on and I'll share some Best Practices for Membership Growth.
First, though, consider that The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands. The strength of Rotary is in our clubs and you are the leader of your Rotary club. Recognize that there are potential good Rotarians out there in your area of responsibility that have not yet been identified - have not yet been invited to share Rotary. Your job - through others - is to seek out these candidates, educate them about Rotary, and invite them to membership. You have that gift to share.
I find that some Rotary clubs approach candidates for membership and ask that they "consider" becoming a member. It may sound a little like begging. Too often, the appeal goes like this . . .
"Mike, I wish you would consider joining our Rotary club. We need more members and I think you could help us out. We meet every Tuesday at Noon - and Mike, you can't miss a meeting. If you do, you'll have to makeup at another Rotary club two weeks before or two weeks after."
"We pay club dues, district dues, and international dues, and we ask you to give to The Rotary Foundation and to the Georgia Rotary Student Program. Of course, we'll ask you to perform service and help us recruit new members. I know you'll like it, Mike . . . how about if I pick you up next Tuesday around 11:30 AM for the meeting?"
Mike: "Er, I'm probably too busy for that right now . . ."
Of course, no one will be attracted to a Rotary club if we only discuss the mechanics of membership. While everything said to Mike was correct - we only talked about obligations, duties and responsibilities. We forgot to share the most important reasons for (benefits of) joining a Rotary club. Let's try again.
We all have the same amount of time - it's how we choose to employ it. Rotarians make time for Rotary service.
The difference between Rotary and other Service organizations is our classifications system and our high ethical standards. You hold a vocational classification that is loaned to you by your Rotary club. You are your vocation's representative in Rotary. Within your vocation you represent, convey, and demonstrate Rotary's ideals and ethical behavior.
"We were chosen when we were invited into Rotary to be the best representative of our business or profession. We should endeavor to ensure that we are worthy of that accolade. Perhaps in recent times, society has become too preoccupied by the bottom line without considering too closely how that bottom line is achieved. We live in a world in which too many know the cost of everything and the value of nothing." - John Kenny
I have always been employed in a Rotarian business. I liked being the Rotarian car dealer. That placed me in select company. That identified my dealership as a respected business. I felt privileged to have been selected to represent my vocation in the local Rotary club.
Every worthy occupation should be represented in Rotary. Have you done a vocational survey to find out what vocations are not represented in your club? Maybe it's a dentist . . . which dentist best represents Rotarian values and has the standing in your community to be a member of your Rotary club?
Identify and target successful business leaders and recruit them for Rotary service.
Where are the Rotarians in Your Community Located? As I drove into your communities for the official visits I considered . . . who are the Rotarians in this town? If I drove by a big church I considered . . . is the senior minister a member of the local Rotary club? The same is true as I drove by the hospital and the medical community. Is the administrator of the hospital a Rotarian? The doctors? Are the educators and city officials in the Rotary club? The car dealer? The judge? The Chief of Police? Is there a college or university in your town? Is the president in your Rotary club? The Dean?
I was admonished by one of our club presidents . . . "Medical Doctors are just too busy. We don't even ask them."
A medical doctor serves the District this year as Assistant Governor. He finds time to serve beyond the club level. My doctor is a Rotarian. My dentist, too. There are many doctors in Rotary clubs - representing their profession in Rotary. To get them in Rotary someone had to ask.
"You have the credentials for membership. Now, shouldn't you be a Rotarian?"
Here's a conversation I had with a United States Congressman:
"Congressman, are you a Rotarian?"
"Roy, I'm not."
"Shouldn't you be?" (Shouldn't you be seated at the Rotary table with these other leaders?)
"You know, I probably should be."
Three weeks later we inducted Congressman Gingrey into Smyrna Rotary.
I asked the publisher of the local paper to come to the Congressman's induction and perhaps do a story and take some photos for the paper. She was eager to come and talk with the Congressman.
I invited her to sit with me that day and, following the Congressman's induction, I asked,
"Cathy, are you a Rotarian?"
"No, I'm not."
"Shouldn't you be?"
She joined our club three weeks later.
These membership strategies work. Try them.
I certainly don't have all the answers. You are talented folks and you have ideas and strategies for membership that may be working as well as mine. Let's share some ideas. Let's discuss what we may do to increase our numbers and strengthen our clubs and the service we are able to deliver.
We all share this:
This is our year to make a difference!
I asked you to Dream Big. Dream now about adding new members and making your club more vital. Leave your club stronger than you found it. Leave your legacy.
Membership in the District is at a 5-year low. We have 4568 members as of July 1, 2009.
Is it this group of presidents that will orchestrate the renewal and growth to a 5,000 member district?
Is that our legacy? The Class of 2009-2010 can make this happen!
At District Assembly, 449 Rotarians raised their hands when I asked who would sponsor a new member this Rotary year. Our members are eager to help us grow the clubs. Some may be using the wrong tactics to promote growth. Please share these membership strategies. Energize your club to grow and prosper.
We can enjoy unprecedented growth over the next few months. We must lead - you and I. Let's leave a legacy for our year -- for your year as president of your club.
I am proud to be a Rotarian and I think I convey that to others. Enthusiasm for Rotary is contagious. If your are enthusiastic about your membership in Rotary you can excite others. If you get your current members excited about recruitment and growth they will join you in strengthening and building your numbers.
"Membership is increasing in parts of the world where the community can see that Rotary is doing good work. If your club is busy, it will thrive." - John Kenny
More to Consider
"Work hard at finding good speakers and developing relevant programs that will engage new members and re-energize members of long-standing." - John Kenny
If there is a prominent member of the business or professional community who is not currently a Rotary club member why not ask that person to speak to your club? That may provide an opportunity for you to ask . . . "Are you a Rotarian? Shouldn't you be?"
Great speakers demand a great audience. With a great audience you can attract the speakers you want. You can energize your members. You can attract new members that value good programs. Publicize your programs. Fill the room. Every member should be present. Every member should invite a prospective Rotarian guest. Good attendance builds fellowship and excitement for Rotary.
People want to affiliate with successful organizations and other successful people. Does your club project an image of success? Of professionalism? Of achievement? Of meaningful service? Of fellowship?
Membership in your Rotary club is an honor and a privilege. Rotary is an international humanitarian service organization. Membership is by invitation to those worthy candidates who demonstrate the vocational credentials and the high ethical standards to be considered for membership in the local Rotary club.
I have had the pleasure to meet a few thousand District 6900 Rotarians this year. Surely, Rotarians must be the finest people in the world.
We have wonderful leadership with John Kenny. President John sent me a letter this week. He's thinking of you and how we can help you grow your membership. From President John . . . "I urge you to work with your club presidents to ensure that those showing an increase continue to do so at the end of the year, and try to assist the clubs in your district showing a decline to reverse this trend, certainly by the end of the year."
I am proud to be a Rotarian. I am proud to serve with this great group of Rotary club presidents. I ask you all to embrace our Membership Best Practices and share these best practices with the members of your clubs. Then, let's begin immediately to add new members.
I hope you will come back to this forum and post your successes for all to share.
Thanks for all you do. The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.
Best Rotary Regards,
DG Roy
The official visits have been completed. Almost without exception, the clubs I have visited have wanted to talk about membership growth and retention. I've had some experience there (and some success) with my own club. In 2006-2007, Smyrna Rotary grew by 85% - almost doubling in size -in only 9 months. How was it done? Read on and I'll share some Best Practices for Membership Growth.
First, though, consider that The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands. The strength of Rotary is in our clubs and you are the leader of your Rotary club. Recognize that there are potential good Rotarians out there in your area of responsibility that have not yet been identified - have not yet been invited to share Rotary. Your job - through others - is to seek out these candidates, educate them about Rotary, and invite them to membership. You have that gift to share.
Identifying New Member Prospects - Set your Sights High
Candidates for Rotary club membership will be respected leaders - decision makers & difference makers.
" . . . if you invite a respected person from the community to join Rotary, then other respected people will follow." - John Kenny
". . . if our members are qualified, honest, and respected in their vocations and communities, then all of Rotary will thrive." - John Kenny
I've heard club presidents deliver this message: "If you run into someone you think might make a good Rotarian . . . please invite him/her to visit." That's not a road map for success. I am offering you a road map that will take you to significant membership growth and revitalization of your club. These Best Practices will help you identify and target candidates for membership in your Rotary club.
How we present the opportunity for membership matters. How we ask for the order will determine our success.I find that some Rotary clubs approach candidates for membership and ask that they "consider" becoming a member. It may sound a little like begging. Too often, the appeal goes like this . . .
"Mike, I wish you would consider joining our Rotary club. We need more members and I think you could help us out. We meet every Tuesday at Noon - and Mike, you can't miss a meeting. If you do, you'll have to makeup at another Rotary club two weeks before or two weeks after."
"We pay club dues, district dues, and international dues, and we ask you to give to The Rotary Foundation and to the Georgia Rotary Student Program. Of course, we'll ask you to perform service and help us recruit new members. I know you'll like it, Mike . . . how about if I pick you up next Tuesday around 11:30 AM for the meeting?"
Mike: "Er, I'm probably too busy for that right now . . ."
Of course, no one will be attracted to a Rotary club if we only discuss the mechanics of membership. While everything said to Mike was correct - we only talked about obligations, duties and responsibilities. We forgot to share the most important reasons for (benefits of) joining a Rotary club. Let's try again.
"Mike, membership in Rotary is very special and being a member of The Rotary Club of Smyrna is an Honor and a Privilege. We are the business and professional leaders of the community and we come together each Tuesday at Noon for a great meal, fellowship, networking, and a top-quality program with a prominent speaker. We give back to the community and we make a difference for others. You should be at the Rotary table. The (pharmacy) classification is open in our club and I believe you have the qualifications to assume it. With your permission, I'd like to propose you for consideration as a member."
The difference here is that we have pointed out the special nature of membership in the local Rotary Club. We have shared our true feelings about membership and have painted a picture of a highly desirable membership - and that's what membership in your Rotary club should be!
The leaders of the community should be gathered at your Rotary club meeting each week. If it's Tuesday at Noon, we expect Smyrna's leaders to be at Rotary.
Have you ever had someone tell you he/she was "too busy" to join Rotary? Here's my answer to that . . .
"Amy, if you weren't busy and successful we wouldn't be interested. All Rotarians are busy. That's because they are successful people. We make time for Rotary service and for each other. Rotarians get things done no matter how busy they may be."We all have the same amount of time - it's how we choose to employ it. Rotarians make time for Rotary service.
The difference between Rotary and other Service organizations is our classifications system and our high ethical standards. You hold a vocational classification that is loaned to you by your Rotary club. You are your vocation's representative in Rotary. Within your vocation you represent, convey, and demonstrate Rotary's ideals and ethical behavior.
"We were chosen when we were invited into Rotary to be the best representative of our business or profession. We should endeavor to ensure that we are worthy of that accolade. Perhaps in recent times, society has become too preoccupied by the bottom line without considering too closely how that bottom line is achieved. We live in a world in which too many know the cost of everything and the value of nothing." - John Kenny
I have always been employed in a Rotarian business. I liked being the Rotarian car dealer. That placed me in select company. That identified my dealership as a respected business. I felt privileged to have been selected to represent my vocation in the local Rotary club.
Every worthy occupation should be represented in Rotary. Have you done a vocational survey to find out what vocations are not represented in your club? Maybe it's a dentist . . . which dentist best represents Rotarian values and has the standing in your community to be a member of your Rotary club?
Identify and target successful business leaders and recruit them for Rotary service.
Where are the Rotarians in Your Community Located? As I drove into your communities for the official visits I considered . . . who are the Rotarians in this town? If I drove by a big church I considered . . . is the senior minister a member of the local Rotary club? The same is true as I drove by the hospital and the medical community. Is the administrator of the hospital a Rotarian? The doctors? Are the educators and city officials in the Rotary club? The car dealer? The judge? The Chief of Police? Is there a college or university in your town? Is the president in your Rotary club? The Dean?
I was admonished by one of our club presidents . . . "Medical Doctors are just too busy. We don't even ask them."
A medical doctor serves the District this year as Assistant Governor. He finds time to serve beyond the club level. My doctor is a Rotarian. My dentist, too. There are many doctors in Rotary clubs - representing their profession in Rotary. To get them in Rotary someone had to ask.
Take a look at your club roster and consider . . . what vocations are not represented? Take a look at your surroundings and consider . . . who in our community represents these vocations?
I like to approach candidates with this message . . . "There's a classification open in my Rotary club that you may have the qualifications to fill."
Read what President John says about Rotarians . . .
"Rotarians are and must be people of a certain caliber. people with the capacity to do great deeds, the sense to do them wisely, and the strength of character to do them honestly and well."
Membership in your Rotary club is special. Present it that way. If I am the car dealer in town I want to be the Rotarian car dealer. That's not something I want for my competitor instead of me.
"You have the credentials for membership. Now, shouldn't you be a Rotarian?"
Here's a conversation I had with a United States Congressman:
"Congressman, are you a Rotarian?"
"Roy, I'm not."
"Shouldn't you be?" (Shouldn't you be seated at the Rotary table with these other leaders?)
"You know, I probably should be."
Three weeks later we inducted Congressman Gingrey into Smyrna Rotary.
I asked the publisher of the local paper to come to the Congressman's induction and perhaps do a story and take some photos for the paper. She was eager to come and talk with the Congressman.
I invited her to sit with me that day and, following the Congressman's induction, I asked,
"Cathy, are you a Rotarian?"
"No, I'm not."
"Shouldn't you be?"
She joined our club three weeks later.
These membership strategies work. Try them.
I certainly don't have all the answers. You are talented folks and you have ideas and strategies for membership that may be working as well as mine. Let's share some ideas. Let's discuss what we may do to increase our numbers and strengthen our clubs and the service we are able to deliver.
We all share this:
This is our year to make a difference!
I asked you to Dream Big. Dream now about adding new members and making your club more vital. Leave your club stronger than you found it. Leave your legacy.
Membership in the District is at a 5-year low. We have 4568 members as of July 1, 2009.
Is it this group of presidents that will orchestrate the renewal and growth to a 5,000 member district?
Is that our legacy? The Class of 2009-2010 can make this happen!
At District Assembly, 449 Rotarians raised their hands when I asked who would sponsor a new member this Rotary year. Our members are eager to help us grow the clubs. Some may be using the wrong tactics to promote growth. Please share these membership strategies. Energize your club to grow and prosper.
We can enjoy unprecedented growth over the next few months. We must lead - you and I. Let's leave a legacy for our year -- for your year as president of your club.
I am proud to be a Rotarian and I think I convey that to others. Enthusiasm for Rotary is contagious. If your are enthusiastic about your membership in Rotary you can excite others. If you get your current members excited about recruitment and growth they will join you in strengthening and building your numbers.
"Membership is increasing in parts of the world where the community can see that Rotary is doing good work. If your club is busy, it will thrive." - John Kenny
More to Consider
When we join Rotary we pledge to attend weekly meetings. In fact, attending weekly meetings is what we ask Rotarians to do more than any other request. Therefore, we have a responsibility to make the meetings worthwhile.
I want to be at Rotary on Tuesday. I want to see my friends, be with the other leaders of the community, hear their stories, plan our service, be entertained by a great program, and hear a great speaker. Meetings need to be vital with a blend of entertainment, good food, Rotary education, networking, fellowship, and an interesting program."Work hard at finding good speakers and developing relevant programs that will engage new members and re-energize members of long-standing." - John Kenny
If there is a prominent member of the business or professional community who is not currently a Rotary club member why not ask that person to speak to your club? That may provide an opportunity for you to ask . . . "Are you a Rotarian? Shouldn't you be?"
Great speakers demand a great audience. With a great audience you can attract the speakers you want. You can energize your members. You can attract new members that value good programs. Publicize your programs. Fill the room. Every member should be present. Every member should invite a prospective Rotarian guest. Good attendance builds fellowship and excitement for Rotary.
People want to affiliate with successful organizations and other successful people. Does your club project an image of success? Of professionalism? Of achievement? Of meaningful service? Of fellowship?
Membership in your Rotary club is an honor and a privilege. Rotary is an international humanitarian service organization. Membership is by invitation to those worthy candidates who demonstrate the vocational credentials and the high ethical standards to be considered for membership in the local Rotary club.
I have had the pleasure to meet a few thousand District 6900 Rotarians this year. Surely, Rotarians must be the finest people in the world.
We have wonderful leadership with John Kenny. President John sent me a letter this week. He's thinking of you and how we can help you grow your membership. From President John . . . "I urge you to work with your club presidents to ensure that those showing an increase continue to do so at the end of the year, and try to assist the clubs in your district showing a decline to reverse this trend, certainly by the end of the year."
I am proud to be a Rotarian. I am proud to serve with this great group of Rotary club presidents. I ask you all to embrace our Membership Best Practices and share these best practices with the members of your clubs. Then, let's begin immediately to add new members.
I hope you will come back to this forum and post your successes for all to share.
Thanks for all you do. The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.
Best Rotary Regards,
DG Roy
Sunday, March 29, 2009
"The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands" - A Theme that Makes Us Personally Responsible
We have one of the great Rotary themes in recent memory.
"The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands" gives us personal responsibility for our organization's well being. That is especially true for club presidents for you are the real leaders of Rotary. The clubs are the heart of our Service organization. Club leadership determines the strength of the club in any given year.
John Kenny says, "Show me a good club president, and I will show you a good club."
I believe that, and I'll bet you do, too.
District Assembly is now behind us. We are moving quickly toward our year of Service. Some of you are further along than others. That is to be expected. Those of you that had your Leadership Team at Assembly are far ahead of those that did not - but we are not going to throw you away if you are a bit behind. We're in this together and we'll help each other.
This blog will be a way for us to learn from each other. It can be a forum for discussion and a useful learning tool if you will make it so. We will share information here and we will discuss our plans for the year ahead.
To get things rolling, "What did you learn from District Assembly that you will take back to your club?"
"The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands" gives us personal responsibility for our organization's well being. That is especially true for club presidents for you are the real leaders of Rotary. The clubs are the heart of our Service organization. Club leadership determines the strength of the club in any given year.
John Kenny says, "Show me a good club president, and I will show you a good club."
I believe that, and I'll bet you do, too.
District Assembly is now behind us. We are moving quickly toward our year of Service. Some of you are further along than others. That is to be expected. Those of you that had your Leadership Team at Assembly are far ahead of those that did not - but we are not going to throw you away if you are a bit behind. We're in this together and we'll help each other.
This blog will be a way for us to learn from each other. It can be a forum for discussion and a useful learning tool if you will make it so. We will share information here and we will discuss our plans for the year ahead.
To get things rolling, "What did you learn from District Assembly that you will take back to your club?"
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
PETS - Helping You Prepare for a Confident Leadership Role
Well, this weekend we are off to PETS in Peachtree City. I look forward to greeting you all.
District Trainer Bill Mulkey and the District Leadership Team have prepared great District Breakout sessions for you. We’ll be offering a lot of information in a short time.
Just as PETS will help you prepare for a confident leadership role, District Assembly, on the 28th of March, will prepare your leadership team.
As you have made your key appointments for next year, I hope you have reminded your Officers and Directors of the importance of their attending District Assembly.
When you return, be sure to register all Officers and Directors. You may access District Assembly registration on the District database. A link is provided on the District website http://www.rotarydistrict6900.org/
We expect to be sold out for District Assembly - standing room only. You'll want to register early and register often. :-)
Dream Big, Have Fun, and Serve Meaningfully.
The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.
District Trainer Bill Mulkey and the District Leadership Team have prepared great District Breakout sessions for you. We’ll be offering a lot of information in a short time.
Just as PETS will help you prepare for a confident leadership role, District Assembly, on the 28th of March, will prepare your leadership team.
As you have made your key appointments for next year, I hope you have reminded your Officers and Directors of the importance of their attending District Assembly.
When you return, be sure to register all Officers and Directors. You may access District Assembly registration on the District database. A link is provided on the District website http://www.rotarydistrict6900.org/
We expect to be sold out for District Assembly - standing room only. You'll want to register early and register often. :-)
Dream Big, Have Fun, and Serve Meaningfully.
The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Fernando Said We Could Do It!
PE Fernando Calvo from Atlanta Peachtree Rotary suggested we have a blog of our own to share ideas and plans for the new Rotary year. I think Fernando's idea was a great one! Here is the initial post. I hope you will visit often and I trust this will be a helpful tool for all.
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