I attended the above seminar along with approximately 120 other Rotarians from District and found it to be a most informative and thought provoking event.

Jesse Harman a Rotary Membership Coordinator and Phillip Archer, Public Image Coordinator summarised the issues confronting Rotary and  presented suggestions which would help us achieve our membership plans and objectives.

We have recruited well in the District over the last twelve months but unfortunately the same number leave as well. In addition we now have 20% of our members over 70 years of age and clearly this presents a problem for the immediate future.

A Membership Development Plan for the future was presented and its ‘main theme is summarised as follows.

We should aim for diversity in our membership eg reflect cultural and ethnic trend.

 

We should work toward establishing  “Strategic Partnerships” with other community organisations which would bring benefits to both parties.

 

Our Rotarians need to be well informed and possess skills which would see Rotary being promoted to the community in the most effective manner.

 

We have a recognised and trusted brand and this is a great platform from which to market ourselves.

 

We should strive to be innovative and flexible as clubs always seeking to do something different.

It was interesting to note that the biggest age group for volunteerism is now 45 – 54 years of age group.

Next year we will see the RI Convention being held in Sydney and as a result there will be unprecedented publicity (valued at $1million) promoting Rotary through all forms of the media. We should capitalise on this event and see it as a great opportunity to be included in our own membership development.

RDU is also focussing on the social media channels to lift its appeal particularly to the younger age groups.

Clearly one of the most interesting concepts raised at the seminar involved the promotion of “satellite” clubs which are formed through common interest, demographic groups or cultural groups. They would not operate under the more strict guidelines of RI but nevertheless are supervised by a parent Rotary Club.

This could well be seen as an initiative which fills the void formerly occupied by APEX Clubs which years ago often provided members to Rotary.

As a stepping stone to Rotary it is being currently trialled in Bendigo as the Bendigo Next Generation. The Seminar was addressed by the Club President who called upon Rotary clubs to use the mediums of Facebook and Twitter as a means of promoting what Rotary can achieve.

The Seminar also had breakout sessions seeking ideas on how we can achieve improved recruitment retention and diversity.  Overall it was a seminar well worth attending and the key points for  our club were:

As a club, we should adhere to the Membership Development Plan being promoted

 

Consider Satellite Groups and whether it is practical for us as a club to be involved

 

All members should be encouraged TO ATTEND THE District Conference and also the RI Convention as they will not only feel part of Rotary but will learn from the experience and be better prepared to promote all the Rotary can achieve.

Finally I appreciated the opportunity to network and have established contact with PDG Richard Gamer District 9810 who has developed membership promotion using an Ipad and Powerpoint tools.

I believe there is scope for us to develop a similar package.

If any member wishes to contact me to discuss this report in greater detail please feel free to do so. 

 

Noel Halford

Club Service Director