Firstly, identify a suitable person.

Secondly, ask him/her to an evening when there is a suitably interesting speaker.

Then, fill in the How to Propose a New Member form and forward it to the President.

When the Board has considered it, and, if it is approved, get written permission from the prospective member for his/her name to be circulated. Members vote.

In our club, a new member must have come to at least two meetings before being admitted.

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From the Manual of Procedures

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Membership development is composed of three components: recruitment of new members, retention of existing members, and the organization of new clubs (extension).

To attract more qualified persons to accept membership in clubs and reduce losses in club membership, clubs should make full and purposeful use of the existing provisions for internal extension; maintain and enhance the services to their communities; and take action which will effectively involve and hold the interest of individual members. (RCP 5.060.) The following are considered major factors in achieving positive growth in membership:

1) Strong sustained presidential encouragement and support

2) A well-designed program for new members that includes orientation, induction and, most important, assimilation into or involvement in club activities

3) Suitable competition among, and recognition for, sponsors of new members

4) Retention of existing members with suitable recognition of growing clubs and growth within districts by the president and governors each year

5) Reasonable costs of membership; and adequate and attractive publicity for Rotary that stresses both Rotary’s service to the community and the benefits of Rotary club membership to Rotarians and their families (RCP 5.060.1.)

As a means of attracting additional qualified persons to accept membership in Rotary clubs and of reducing losses in membership, clubs should

1) Make full and purposeful use of the existing provisions for membership growth

2) Identify current business and professional concerns within the community for potential classifications and identify qualified candidates for these classifications

3) Keep services to their communities relevant and effectively publicize community projects and services

4) Take club action which will effectively involve and hold the interest of each individual member

Further:

1) Each club needs to examine its membership trends, consider whether it is satisfied with its progress, then take steps to achieve sound growth.

2) Governors and others should work with clubs that need assistance in addressing the reasons for lack of membership growth and identifying possible actions for improvement.

3) When a Rotarian resigns from a club due to a change in residence or employment, the former club may recommend such person for membership in one or more clubs in the new community. Clubs in the new community should take the initiative to contact such former Rotarian and assess whether such former member is interested in club membership. (89-137; RCP 4.080.)

In order for a club to be fully relevant and responsive to its community, it is important and necessary that the club include in its membership all fully qualified prospective members located within its locality. It is inappropriate and inconsistent with the principles of Rotary for any club to establish arbitrary limits on the number of members in the club or to fail to increase its membership as a result of apathy or lack of information or understanding as to the pattern of growth in the club or the procedures for proposing and assimilating new members. (RCP 5.070.1.)

It is important that each club establish and maintain a membership growth pattern which will result in an appropriate net growth in the number of members. Each club should have a positive attitude toward membership growth, recognizing that an increase in membership should not decrease the quality of membership in the club. Membership growth should always be the result of a club electing fully qualified members who can be expected to contribute to the furtherance of the program of Rotary. (RCP 5.060.7.)

Inherent in the purpose of Rotary is the acceptance by individuals of their responsibility for the personal application of the ideal of service. It is important that individual Rotarians recognize that this responsibility includes an obligation on their parts to share Rotary with others and to help extend Rotary through proposing qualified persons for membership. (RCP 5.060.3.)

Each club is encouraged to adhere to the classification and membership principles of Rotary to correct, as opportunities permit, any irregular classification or membership that may exist in the club. Each club is further encouraged to discover ways and means of strengthening the club through projects which attract new members and which help current members become better Rotarians. (RCP 4.070.)

 

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