John Herdman and Tami Lambie, Membership Committee for Lincoln South Rotary Club presented "Membership Excitement - Retention and New Faces" at our meeting on October 8, 2021.
In order to sustain Rotary, we need Members. John and Tami pointed out that it is not just Member Development but Member Retention.
 
Tami stated that we need to keep Rotary in the front of our mind. Who can we bring - friends, relatives, people we do business with?
 
She shared that there are many reasons that Rotary is the place to be! She showed the club website - www.lincolnsouthrotary.org. She said that we, as members, need to get familiar with the website. There are stories of interest, information about current activities, a listing of upcoming speakers and events, and a calendar that has all of the events, activities and deadlines shown.
 
Pages on the website show the history of our club and the community service projects.
 
Tami told us to share the website with others to show them what we are all about! Then invite them to a meeting. If not in-person, then by zoom. She pointed to her guest who joined her at her office. Or have them join from their own computer.
 
(Note on non-members joining by zoom - we need to be notified in advance to ensure that we will let them in from the waiting room.)
 
Tami closed with "keep membership in mind and invite someone - You and Who?"
 
John reviewed research from Rotary about members dropping:
 
Leave after 1-2 years as a member because
They were not engaged
Fellowship expectations were not met
Have trouble meeting attendance expectations because of conflicts
 
Those leaving after 2-5 years
They were not engaged
Fellowship expectations were not met
Have trouble meeting attendance expectations because of conflicts
Frustrated with club leadership
 
Those leaving after 6-10 years
Fellowship expectations were not met
Frustrated with club leadership
Retired
 
One thing that is consistent in this list is Fellowship. All members can ensure that other members enjoy the meetings and social interactions.
 
John had us do an activity. We were asked to write three reasons that we stay in Rotary.
 
Here are just a few (watch for more in future newsletters and on Facebook):