Posted by Bob Ruehl on Dec 09, 2022
Membership Minute
 
Connect with prospective members
Every January, we see a big increase in inquiries about joining Rotary. District and club leaders, remember to follow up with these prospective members to ensure that they have a positive experience. You can gain a better understanding of how to turn leads into members by taking the Online Membership Leads course. Use the Refer a new member form if you know someone who might be interested in joining. The updated form allows all Rotary members to refer a prospective member to their own club or to a different club.
 
 
 
Learn how to address your club’s challenges
Many clubs face challenges related to three things: attracting new members, keeping members engaged, and finding meaningful ways to contribute to their communities. Use the Club Planning Assistant to get tailored advice for addressing your club’s challenges. Club leaders, you’ll receive an instant response with links to the resources we recommend to help you address your club’s most pressing challenges. You can then build these suggested strategies into your club’s membership plan. 
 
Develop your storytelling skills
Being able to articulate and share your stories with others can be personally fulfilling. Whether it’s a story of why you joined Rotary, an achievement you’re proud of, or a struggle that made you grow in some way, we all have stories that can inspire and connect us with others. Storytelling is a skill that is useful in any setting, and the best part is, you’re the expert on your stories. Through our alliance with Toastmasters, you can hone your skills by visiting a local Toastmasters club and getting feedback on your delivery. Here are some storytelling techniques from our friends at Toastmasters International. Take our Inspirational speech course to learn more. 

Do you have an example of how your storytelling skills helped you achieve a goal or how you got better at telling your story? Tell us about it.
 
Recognize exemplary service to The Rotary Foundation
The Distinguished Service Award honors individual Rotarians and Rotaractors who have demonstrated exemplary service to the Foundation and who received the Citation for Meritorious Service at least four years previously. Do you know someone like that? Any Rotarian or Rotaractor can nominate a candidate. The nomination period is from 1 January to 28 February. If you have any questions, write to riawards@rotary.org.
 
Colorado Rotary members show how they care
A little care and kindness can help a lot. Read how several members of the Rotary Club of Longmont Twin Peaks, Colorado, USA, and an alpaca helped transform a garden for Mother’s Day and fulfill a wish.
 
 
DEI is a difference maker
Mohan Kumar, charter president of the Rotary Club of Bangalore Prime, Karnataka, India, had the opportunity to establish a plan to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in his club. Learn how he is changing mindsets.
 
 
 
More from our blog 
 
Membership Minute is a bimonthly newsletter that provides the latest membership trends, strategies, best practices, and resources to help strengthen membership in your clubs. The newsletter is sent to Rotary coordinators, district governors, district membership chairs, Rotary club membership chairs, Rotary club presidents, Rotary club presidents-elect, Rotaract club presidents and subscribers. Please forward this to anyone who may be interested. 

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