GUEST SPEAKER PRESENTATION:
Angela Walker, District 6440 Membership Chair:
Walker complimented our club on the welcoming atmosphere of the BBRC
meetings, including greetings and introduction of guests. This is one point to help
boost membership. She also commends the club for being vibrant with interesting
meetings and great service projects that meet the needs of the community.
Another aspect of BBRC that attracts members is BBRC’s commitment to giving.
She tells BBRC that it is a great example for other clubs. She said she wished
she could bottle what we do and give it to every district club.
Walker explained that the district has 69 clubs and lost 54 members but added
26 members. The district has 1883 members total with the goal to get 1000 more
by July. She emphasized the quality of members not just the quantity.
When looking at bringing in new members, Rotary wants to look at the
character of the person and learn his/her passion. We want to meet the potential
member’s expectations just as the person meets ours. We want people who want
to volunteer.
The district will host a new member program on Feb.24. The program will
include a tour and orientation. Even long-time members are welcome to attend. It
will be a good opportunity to learn and to meet other new members. She hopes to
track the new members and their experiences in their first couple years to aid in
retaining members. When Angela joined, she was given a pin and left to learn on
her own. She hopes to give the new members a helping hand to learn the various
opportunities of Rotary.
Regarding what clubs can do to recruit, Walker provided some advice. Asking
potential members to join in service projects is one way to recruit, but some club's
struggle with this aspect. The clubs need to be inclusive and follow up with
potential members. Membership is the responsibility of every Rotarian.
Times are changing and some clubs suffer because they have not adapted to
needs of new members. They may need to offer evening meetings or other
options. When a club is more flexible, it may be better equipped to attract new
members. When current members love Rotary and are involved, they can more
easily recruit new people. Walker believes BBRC is showing that enthusiasm and
hopes it will continue.
Walker will be reaching out to presidents-elect and membership chairs to learn
more about how to help. She hopes to host some district events to promote
members. She also hopes to divide the district into four parts with events for
those subdivisions. The District staff is trying to strengthen the district and help
with recruiting.
Q & A:
Pat Boquist
shared her appreciation for Walker’s presentation and agrees with the
idea that quality over quantity is important. This is difficult to measure. Walker
notes that she looks at whether the new member is participating. She thinks the
key is finding out the topic about which the person is passionate. She agrees that
pre-membership interviews are important. On a related note, she wants clubs to
explain the importance of giving to the foundation. She is “on fire” for Rotary and
encourages all of us to share our “fire” with members of our community. She
urges BBRC to keep up the good work!
Basil (our regular Zoom visitor from England)
endorsed Walker’s comments and thanked her for sharing. He held his clubs Membership Chair
position thirty years ago and appreciates the concerns.
Susie Whipple
who was past BBRC Membership Chair told us what was discussed in our New Member Orientation
with prospective members. She said we had covered many, if not all of what Angela suggested.
Steve Hollis
asked about the reason that some members leave.
Walker told us there are multiple reasons. Sometimes members move, sometimes they
cannot afford it, or transfer to another club. Rotary also lost people during the COVID shut down.
Sometimes people will leave when a club makes a change in meeting times or focus.
Co-President Terry Cullum lead the club in thanking Angela Walker for her presentation. Angela said she may
attend one of our meetings in-person during the next couple of months. Terry
suggested maybe she could sing a song, and Angela said she would be happy to
sing an uplifting song for us. (Angela sang at Mark Gibson's Service).
Conference Room Club Meeting on January 19th