NOTES FROM MEMBERSHIP RETENTION ROUND TABLE SESSIONS
Facilitator: Deb Glissen, DG

In all sessions we started with the Candy Bar Test. Each person takes a small Hersey’s candy

bar from the bag. This piece must be their favorite chocolate. They were instructed not to eat

the candy. Deb handed out to each person a sheet with the definitions of three or four of the

candy bars. The definition was related to their individual personality.

The same questions was asked in all four sessions: What are you doing to accommodate

differences in your club.

SESSION I

-Holding two meetings a week to accommodate those who have to work and cannot attend a

noon meeting.

-Giving new members responsibilities that are community driven

-Using strategic planning

-Asking the members what their passion is and fitting them with those committees

-Asking about their comfort zone and being aware not to putting them on a committee where

they do not feel comfortable

-Use the Object of Rotary to engage them

-Change projects and get new ideas

-Make sure you define the projects and committees thoroughly

-Take a dormant project and get a new member involved

SESSION II

-Recognize the persons strengths and weaknesses and make sure you respect those qualities

-Jobs for new members, even in a small club

-Ask - choose from a list of projects

-Affirmation

-Balance - make sure new member knows the real definition of Rotary. It is not a social club, but a community service organization and they will be put to work.

SESSION III

-Make it fun. Let the member know that they do not have to be there every week.

-Involvement and engagement

-Think outside the box.

-An evening club might help bring in new members

-Make a list of surrounding clubs so member has a choice of nearby clubs to attend for a make-up.

-Social nights helps to get to know the member and their family. Have at least one a month.

SESSION IV

-Meet and greet all members at every meeting

-Suggest new project to help bring in a new member

-Parents of scholarship and YE students should be invited and honored

-Recruit high energy people

-Have a mentor for new members

-Create business card with club info. and give to prospective members

-Use your local library for a once a month meeting and schedule a good speaker and invite the public to attend as well.

-Camillus needs help with membership

-Have a new membership orientation.