District Governor Jon Catlin 2020-2021
August Newsletter: Membership and New Club Development – Why do I Care?
Rotarians of District 6290:
The Rotary year has been off and running for 2020-2021! I have a hard time believing how fast the first 6 weeks of this Rotary year have flown by. It might be due to the miles, the great weather, or more than likely the people. Rotary is about people helping people, opening opportunities and having fun while doing it.
So far as of this writing I have visited 25 clubs, I am have been honored to help induct a new member in Reed City, award a long time Rotarian with their Paul Harris Fellow plus 5 in Wawa, watch Grand Haven inducted another generation into their Club, watch a mother and daughter team help to lead their club in Traverse City Sunrise and reconnect with Rotarians that I have known in other Clubs in Elk Rapids. I love this organization and I hope you do!
August is membership and new club development for Rotary. Why should you care? Well, in order to keep growing our Clubs (not just in size, but in new, fresh ideas) we need to ask likeminded individuals to join us for the service and for the fun and fellowship that we enjoy.
Another way to help expand the reach of Rotary is to consider the formation of another Club in your community. Not everyone can make your meetings. Life, work, or family commitments make it hard for many to join a lunch club, mornings (well not everyone is a morning person) some clubs are just a happy hour club, or a successful club that started recently in England meets on Sunday Morning at a Coffee Shop and kids are encouraged to attend! There are many types of clubs from the traditional club, to satellite clubs, passport clubs, e-clubs, and now a caused based club (in this month Rotarian magazine they give some great examples). If you are interested in learning more about the formation of a new club or have general membership questions, we have a team at the District Level that are here to serve you!
I have been so impressed with the Clubs and their making of their lemonade with what has been happening this year. Fundraisers are happening, albeit with a little pivot, Clubs are meeting, some only via Zoom right now and some out in parks and shelters that Rotary help to finance and build, great additions to their communities.
It is not someone else’s responsibility to help recruit nor retain the Rotarians in our Club, it is all of our responsibility. My Youth Exchange Officer, when I was an exchange student, was my sponsor into Rotary and without our relationship over 6-8 years when he saw me graduate college and start my career path I am not sure that other Rotarians knew who I was, but he saw something in me. I am forever grateful for Dr. Donald Carlsen that he asked me to join and mentored me in Rotary. Because of his friendship and guidance I am the current District Governor. Who should you ask and what could they do in your club and beyond?
Use this link to access resources to increase your club's value: https://my.rotary.org/en/learning-reference/learn-topic/membership