District 5870 concluded the 2025–2026 Rotary year with encouraging membership results and ample reasons to feel optimistic. We finished the year with 1,914 members—a net gain of 50 and our strongest year of membership growth in two decades. Our clubs welcomed 271 new members, the highest total in four years, while existing-member terminations declined by about 30 percent.
New-member retention also exceeded 92 percent, indicating that clubs are not only attracting new members but also doing a better job of helping them feel welcome, connected, and engaged.
That progress did not happen by accident. It reflects the work of club presidents, membership chairs, district leaders, and Rotarians across Central Texas who are creating meaningful club experiences and inviting others to join us.
As we begin the new Rotary year, club membership chairs should collaborate with their leadership teams to build on this momentum by strengthening engagement, following up with prospective members, and closely monitoring members who may be drifting away.
But membership is not just the membership chair’s responsibility. It is everyone’s business. Every Rotarian can help by inviting someone to a meeting or service project, welcoming a new member, checking in with someone who has been absent, and sharing why Rotary matters.
Together, we can continue to build stronger clubs, expand our impact, and ensure that Rotary remains a vibrant force in our communities.
I’ll see you around the District!
Bob