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Clubs and districts can take many approaches to membership growth. Rotary research tells us the most important factor is a club experience that attracts prospective members and engages current ones. A strong identity can help your club offer that kind of experience.
The recently updated Club Types, Formats, and Models resource describes the many combinations of experiences that Rotary and Rotaract clubs worldwide are adopting as their club identities. One type of club is a satellite club, which can be started by fewer members and supported by another club. You can learn more about satellite clubs in the updated Guide to Satellite Clubs. Further strategies for membership growth are outlined in the new Strengthening Your Membership guide. The newly updated presentation on The State of Membership covers the latest membership trends and offers sustainable growth ideas.
Membership growth also requires us to tell others about Rotary. During Membership and New Club Development Month in August, several experts shared advice on crafting compelling Rotary stories. Read more on the Rotary Voices blog. | | |
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| Important changes to presidential messaging | As part of Rotary’s ongoing commitment to adaptability and increasing our impact, the annual presidential theme is evolving into a strategic presidential message tied directly to our Action Plan. This change will take effect 1 July 2025. The RI president will still promote an annual message.
What will be different:- A presidential message aligned with the Action Plan
- New approval process with a broader group of stakeholders, led by the Executive Committee of the Board
- No separate presidential logo
- Message of future president-nominees previously determined by the Board
What will stay the same:- The big annual reveal at the International Assembly by the president-elect
- Presidential materials: year colors, scarves, ties, and more
- The president’s inspirational message for Rotary members each year
The Board of Directors unanimously approved three years’ worth of messaging at their May 2024 meeting. President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo will unveil the first of these messages at the 2025 International Assembly. If you have any questions, please write to ri.comms@rotary.org. | | |
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| Peacebuilding through Rotary | To mark the International Day of Peace, 21 September, districts can designate a district Rotary Peace Fellowship subcommittee chair for 2024-25 if that role is vacant. These leaders help recruit and mentor candidates from local communities to apply for Rotary Peace Fellowships.
Districts can become Global Peacebuilder Districts by contributing US$25,000 annually in District Designated Funds (DDF) or district cash to support the Rotary Peace Centers or the area of focus in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Clubs and districts can encourage members to:Rotary members and participants can register to attend the 2025 Rotary Presidential Peace Conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, 20-22 February 2025. | | |
| Change in learning model more than just semantics | In keeping with the Action Plan, we’re shifting our approach to knowledge and skill building by moving from a training model to a learning model. You will notice this shift in titles for various key roles within Rotary, such as club learning facilitator, district learning facilitator, and district learning committee.
It’s more than just semantics. Training involves someone with information delivering that knowledge to a group of participants. Participant-centered learning is an active instructional approach in which a facilitator guides participants who build on their knowledge and experience to share ideas, reach a goal, or solve a problem.
We’re putting participants at the center of the learning experience an empowering them to take ownership of their learning and development. Club, district, and regional leaders are encouraged to consider how this shift from training to learning affects their activities and to make changes where needed. Learn more about the differences between training and facilitation in the Becoming an Effective Facilitator course in the Learning Center. | | |
| Use the Action Plan Toolkit to strengthen your club | | The Action Plan is a sustainable approach to creating and maintaining healthy clubs. President Stephanie A. Urchick and the Action Plan champions are asking all members to use the Action Plan framework to help address challenges and meet your club’s and district’s goals. Visit rotary.org/actionplan to use the Action Plan Toolkit today. | | |
| Share ideas, inspire others in Calgary | | Do you have an idea or a project you want to share with the Rotary community? Breakout sessions at the Rotary International Convention inspire participants, help them polish their leadership skills, and give them new ideas. Sessions can address projects, fundraising, membership growth, and more. Help us develop a stellar breakout program for the 2025 convention in Calgary, Canada, by submitting a session proposal. Write to conventionbreakouts@rotary.org with questions. | | |
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