Rotary will share info at a community table. Volunteers needed!
Let's Be a Truly Welcoming Club
Thoughts from our Long-Range Planning chair, Sandy Frum
In reviewing the survey our Club conducted two years ago, I noticed a theme: some folks think we’re not as welcoming as we believe we are. A few even used the word cliquish – which is never the word you want associated with a service organization, unless we’re forming a clique dedicate to eliminating cliques.
As we think about this, here are a few easy ways we can help:
Reach out to new members. Invite them to sit with you. Bonus points if you sit somewhere other than your usual “assigned seat,” which none of us actually own but all of us secretly believe we do.
Be equally welcoming to guests, whether they’re invited or wander in because they heard we have good food.
Don’t walk in and immediately sit. Circulate! Say hello! Pretend you’re at a wedding reception and you’re trying to avoid being seated next to the cousin who sells essential oils.
Save confrontations for outside the meeting. Rotary is many things, but it is not the place for dramatic showdowns.
Don’t tease people about attendance. Even if you think it’s funny, it can make people feel bad. Celebrate that they’re here – we all have busy lives.
Invite people to get involved. Ask them to join your committee or attend one with you. Sometimes people just need a personal invitation.
I’m sure we can come up with more ideas, and I’m as guilty as anyone of falling into habits. But let’s work together to make our Club as friendly, welcoming, and inviting as possible.
