Northglenn/Thornton Rotary Club . . .Thoughts on Membership

 
Membership Think Tank
 
The 2013-14 Rotary year has had exceptional membership increases considering our size.   This success can be attributed to a variety of reasons, some of which can be easily defined.    First of all, it should be mentioned that we did have losses, but they were not due to reasons of dissatisfaction or lack of involvement.  Unfortunately, two were due to deaths, and one attributed to moving out of state.
 
First of all, we were fortunate enough to acquire 2 members from the Denver Metro North club, which dissolved.   Secondly, we conducted a membership think tank session with the members.  Our Membership Director compiled the current social and economic conditions that contributed to lackluster membership increases along with the ideas from the group to enhance the acquisition of new members.  We implemented several of these ideas: 
  1. We enhanced our communication.   We send out group emails on a regular basis relating to club activities, notices, upcoming programming, recruitment and simply news.  Many times these emails have pictures or documents that enhance the message.   Our club members have become accustomed to this and the Board relies on this tool to get the word out on current topics. There are no members without email capabilities, so this tool through Clubrunner has proved to be a way to keep the clubmembers closely knit.
  2. We implemented a Service Level membership.   Out of our current 33 members, 5 have either converted or joined at this designation.   Dues are reduced by the cost of our meeting lunches and cover only the cost of District and RI dues.   We recognized the nature of barriers to joining the club, and decided this was a method we’d make available to new members.   These members attend meetings as they can.  We require the same expectations from these members, participation in our activities and projects and fundraising. 
  3. We have a 5th Tuesday meeting as a happy hour.   This has been very successful, is without any formality or programming, and is simply an opportunity for members to bring their spouses, friends, or potential new members in a relaxed environment different from our usual meeting place.
  4. We make a BIG deal out of guests, visitors, and potential new members.   The club is very welcoming, and has a very social image.  Potential new members see the energy and our impacts in the community early-on.   We brag about ourselves constantly.  We provide a free lunch and have a defined followup procedure with anyone who has shown interest.   
  5. We have developed a stronger partnership with our cities.  Over a period of years, the cities we are associated with (Northglenn and Thornton) have come to be more closely associated with our fundraisers and projects.   City staffs have become members as a result.  This is a critical factor in cultivating additional members from these groups, along with the business community, other non-profits and agencies they are closely associated with.