Membership Digest - October 2021

Membership Digest - October 2021

Region 36 (Zones 25B & 29)

The Membership Digest

October 2021
   
The Membership Digest is your one stop read for the latest Membership news in Region 36 brought to you by Assistant Rotary Coordinators from Zones 29B and 29. We highlight Rotary Membership success stories and provide helpful tools and resources to assist District Membership Chairs and anyone else who wants to Grow Rotary!
Monique Hodges, ARC and Jeff Reed, ARC, Region 36
Suzi's Corner
  
END POLIO NOW
Update from Suzi Howe, RI Director, Region 36
 
We’re off to a great start for the new Rotary year!  I know many of you are enjoying the opportunity to re-connect with fellow Rotarians at in-person club and district meetings.  Fortunately for those who are not ready for in-person meetings, most clubs are offering hybrid or virtual options.  I am thrilled that Rotarians in our districts have not let anything get in the way of growing Rotary.  Increasing our membership provides more Rotarians to do more good work around the world.  A special thanks to those of you who have helped to start 48 new clubs in our region during the last 18 months.  What a great way to grow Rotary!!
 
RI President Shekhar has asked that “Each One Bring One” this year.  If each of us brings someone to one of our meetings, we know many of those people will be inspired to join Rotary!  It may be that our guest likes what Rotary is doing but isn’t a fit for our club.  You can help to grow Rotary by finding a club that is a fit. 
 
I’m looking forward to an exciting 2021-22 Rotary year, and I know you are too, as we work together to serve to change lives.
 
Suzi
Suzi Howe
Rotary International Director 2020-22
Regions 32 & 36
  
 

October 24th, 2021 is World Polio Day. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. Learn how to start a Raise for Rotary fundraiser and as an addition, use it as a tool to invite prospective members to learn more about Rotary’s longest foundation cause.

 

Link: https://raise.rotary.org/

  
Emily's Space
    
Success Stories
Update from Emily Tucker,
RI Regional Membership Officer
 
State of Membership Webinar
If you missed RI’s State of Membership webinar on 9/23, you can view the recording here: https://vimeo.com/channels/rotarymembership/613598952
 
District 6450 DEI Speaker Series
District 6450’s DEI Committee, Chaired by Aleta Williams – Club President-nominee of the Rotary Club of Chicago, hosted an engaging and powerful webinar, “Rotary and DEI: What do ‘People of Action’ do Next?” on 9/23. I encourage you to watch the recording here: https://fb.watch/8dZK65n3ua/
 
Service Above Self Award
Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond by helping others and serving their communities? Rotary’s Service Above Self Award honors Rotarians – and now also Rotaractors – who help others by volunteering their time and talents. Only district governors can nominate candidates for this award, and up to 150 recipients are selected each year. This is a great way to recognize Rotary members who have demonstrated exemplary service and a great opportunity to retain members by acknowledging their contributions and achievements. Encourage your DG to complete the online nomination form between 1-31 October. Not sure how to write your nomination form? Check out How to Write a Compelling Nomination for tips and recommendations.
 
Emily Tucker
Regional Membership Officer | Membership Development
Tel 1.847.866.3258
 
 
  
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHT
 
Rotary Club of Oshkosh, WI Develops a Service Membership
 
Past President Michael Rust started this program in their club as a President -Elect. In addition to a Standard Membership, they offer Service Membership. The requirements for the Service Membership are as follows:
 
  1. Each member must pay Rotary International and Rotary District dues of a total of $50 per quarter
  2. Each member is required to attend only 2 weekly meetings per year and pay for only two buffet lunches per year.  (Additional meetings attended are welcomed by the club, but the member must pay the meal charge for each meeting);
  3. Each member is required to provide a minimum of 40 hours of community service, annually.
  4. Each member is requested to financially support, as much as possible, the club's fundraisers for community endeavors, such as student scholarships, financial support for the Day-by-Day Warming Shelter, etc.

Estimated minimum annual cost = $224 + voluntary donations

 

RI Learning Center

 
Check out courses in the RI Learning Center.  More than 20 courses are available to help you expand your knowledge of Rotary Membership.  Courses include:
  • Building a Diverse Club
  • Building a Welcoming Community for People with Disabilities
  • Building Strong Intergenerational Relationships
  • Designing an Inclusive Plan for Your Organization
  • Online Membership Leads
  • Your Membership Plan
 
 
 
News Around the Region
Why Rotary – Southside Corpus Christi Rotarians Share Their “WHY”
 
“District 5930 Membership Chair Helen Peters asked us, "Why Rotary? Why do people join Rotary?”
So we asked our club members the reason they joined rotary and/or the reason for being a Rotarians. We asked our members either they can send us the pic with their reason written on it or they can share it when we meet on Wednesdays. The results were astounding!”  - Dr. Zehra Surani, President Rotary Club of Southside Corpus Christi
 
 
 
Tools & Resources
Strategic Planning Guide
Does your club have a Strategic Planning Guide?
Just as a map guides people from one location to their destination, a strategic plan that is rooted in action guides an organization through achieving its goals and, ultimately, fulfilling its strategic vision. Strategic plans are important for Rotary and Rotaract clubs, too. Our survey results have shown us that clubs that develop and follow a strategic plan are stronger than
clubs that don’t because they have more satisfied members who view their clubs and Rotary more positively overall. Use this Strategic Planning Guide to help you set long-term priorities as well as annual goals that support your club’s strategic vision. This guide is designed for Rotary and Rotaract clubs, but districts may also find it useful.
 
  
DEI – 6 part Webinar Series
 
This explores diversity, equity, and inclusion has attracted more than 3,000 attendees so far from all over the world.
Rotary Webinar Series on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
 
Build a welcoming community for people with Disabilities.  (recorded 27 May 2021)
 
Building Strong Intergenerational Relationships. (recorded 29 April 2021)
 
Exploring the Black Experience in Rotary.  (recorded 25 February 2021)
 
  
All Things Rotary
 
The Club & District Support Americas Team recently launched a podcast titled “All Things Rotary.”  Episodes are released monthly.
 
Recent episodes addressed:
  • But Like, What Does CDS Actually Do?
  • But Like, Why Aren’t More People Talking About Satellite Clubs?
  • But Like, Does Setting Club Goals Matter?
  • But Like, Which Comes First: Club Attendance or Club Engagement?
  • But Like, How Do I Actually Start A Rotary Club? (featuring Regional Membership Officer Dian Edwards)
  
Rotary Alumni
 
To find new members, PDG Tom Gump suggests that you ask Rotary Alumni. These past participants in Rotary programs are an often-overlooked source of potential members with a built-in understanding of who we are and a past experience with how we take action to serve to change lives.