Our global membership has centred around 1.2 million for as long as my 19 years in Rotary. If it was not for the well fought acceptance of women members into Rotary our membership would have declined dramatically. Also currently if it was not for the amazing attraction of Rotary in the developing world which is taking up the loss of membership not matching attrition in Rotary’s strongholds in the developed world of North America and Europe then the figures would be in a sorry state.
Unlike the developed world those surrounded by abject poverty, polluted water supplies and poor infrastructure Rotary is offering a genuine ray of hope. We are transforming communities with basic education, healthcare and sanitation. We are building schools like our Kindendi, hospitals and pipelines, eradicating polio and slowing down malaria – is it any wonder that Rotary is so attractive in that environment. But here in the developed world where we want for little the above mentioned projects are failing to gain traction – thus the loss of membership not matching attrition. On the Local scene do we have a problem – with two clubs now down to a dozen members – a once proud club of 100 members, 160 people at a Changeover and Xmas meeting now down to 23 members with an attendance average of 13 members. So what do we have to do?
So in our developed world where are new members coming from ? I can hear them saying -”What’s in it for me”. It’s not cheap. It’s a weekly commitment. I’m scheduled for service work whether I like it or not. I feel guilty if I am unable to attend social activities. Strict attendance rules.
How do we attract new members and keep them through the qualities of – friendship, leadership development, recognition satisfaction, having fun, attractive social events. Perhaps net working opportunities, a genuine challenge and acceptance to be part of local and world needs and most of all like I feel “A sense of Belonging”. Dare I say what a unique joy we have in our club when we salute all the positive endeavours of Rotary as emphasized by a member who recently said to me what gave him strength and support in a time of concern was the feeling of the anchor of our club. So let us personally except the challenge to improve our membership by encouraging people of whom we think would embrace the definitions of Rotary.
Barry “Baz “ Young
