Membership in the Rotaract Club of Jacksonville’s Beaches, Florida, USA, had declined from a high of more than 100 members shortly after its charter to just over 10 members in 2014. That’s when their sponsor, the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach, assigned an adviser to attend all of the Rotaract club’s board meetings. Please read more and see how they turned it around.....
That regular contact, and a renewed emphasis on having members of both clubs attend social and service events together, helped the community-based Rotaract club rebound to around 65 members.
“It’s mostly been due to the really strong relationship we have with our sponsoring Rotary club and their willingness and ability to mentor us and tell us what has been successful in their club,” says Charlie Flynn, president of Beaches Rotaract.
The clubs also started a yearlong mentoring program that pairs a Rotaractor and a Rotarian who share a similar field or interest. In May, the Rotaract club hosted an event designed specifically to allow members of both clubs to mingle and network.
“It’s really crucial and necessary for Rotary and Rotaract clubs to work together and adjust as needed in order to increase the number of Rotaractors that transition into Rotary, because the average number is not very high,” says Magdalena Cichon, president-elect of Beaches Rotaract.
2018-19 RI President Barry Rassin has made it a goal to expand Rotaract this year, and strengthen the transition from Rotaract into Rotary. Whether your club is thinking about starting a Rotaract club, or looking to boost one that is struggling, staying connected is key.
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS
GATHER A TEAM. Bring together a group of Rotarians and community members committed to supporting your Rotaract club.
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Assess the makeup of your community and determine if you will start a university- or community-based Rotaract club. Rotary’s Engaging Younger Professionals Toolkit helps clubs understand this demographic, create a vibrant club culture, and communicate Rotary’s value.
HOST AN INFORMATIONAL EVENT. Engage all attendees and talk to them about why they came and how they are interested in changing their community or growing as a leader — make sure to get their contact information to invite them to the first few meetings and start building personal connections.
SUPPORT THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF ROTARACT CLUB MEETINGS. Your team should assist in the early stages of the Rotaract club by helping set up the club administration. Advise on adopting the Standard Rotaract Club Constitution and Recommended Bylaws, organizing officer elections, selecting meeting locations, and arranging an initial service project.
STAY CONNECTED. Plan to attend the Rotaract club’s meetings and events regularly and invite the Rotaract club to collaborate with your Rotary club in your activities and events.
Watch our webinar, How to start a community-based Rotaract club