As we have previously noted, the primary focus of Rotary International regarding membership is retention of our existing Rotarians. One of the best ways to do this is by enriching the club experience by building relations between your members. Showing your members that your club cares for them is a giant step in the right direction
There are many instances where members are missing from club meetings or other activities and we do not really know why. I know many of you check up on your friends from time to time if they are missing but we need to do more. One suggestion is for your club to create a sub-committee of membership to check in with your missing members. Why not create a mentor or caring committee with certain defined tasks. Ask for volunteers to staff this committee whose job is to check your meeting attendance and if someone has missed 2 or 3 times then these folks will make a personal contact. This could be rotated among the volunteers to give the people who have missed a personal call, make sure they are OK. That they are not sick, have had personal or business setbacks or are having issues with the club or with Rotary. Be their friend on an ongoing basis.
The purpose is to make this more than a one-time thing but an ongoing responsibility to let our members know we are concerned with them. This could also be used as a means of mentoring new members and let them know how welcome they are and help them get engaged in club activities. No matter how small or large your club is, there is a spot for these volunteers to continue to build relations between your members.
Jim Henry, Chair
District 5870 Membership Committee