Posted by Doug McElrath (Edina/Morningside), Membership Chair
August is membership month. There are three tenants of membership development to keep in mind:
· Engagement
· Attraction
· New Club Development.
Engagement is key. If we have engaging, vibrant, and inclusive club experiences, we will be more attractive to new members while keeping our existing members actively involved. Consider offering an assortment of opportunities and benefits like:
· Variety of Social Projects
· Fun Social Events
· Professional Development
· Leadership Development
· Mentoring
· Network Opportunities
· Family Activities
We should also strive to meet people where they’re at and match what they’re looking for in Rotary. To do this, we want to be thinking about new club development and membership types.
We’ve seen innovative new club models popping up across the district (e.g., cause-based, interest-based, passport, satellite). Existing clubs are working to meet current and prospective member needs. These clubs are finding ways to connect with people, share the magic of Rotary, and grow our district so we can increase the good we do in our communities and around the world.
Finally, through an initiative called Each One, Bring One, Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta has asked each of us to commit to welcoming one new person into Rotary or Rotaract this year. It’s an audacious goal, but if we make sure our clubs are engaging, enticing and inclusive to new and existing members, this goal should be easy to accomplish.
Posted by PDG Tom Gump, Zone Institute General Chair
If you see yourself in a District 5950 leadership role in the next years, here's a deal you can't pass up!
District Leadership is offering full scholarships (registration, flight and hotel) to the Zone Institute in Houston, TX on September 7-12, 2021. You qualify (really!) if you are interested in learning more about Rotary and applying your new skills to a district-level position. Check out D5950's photo org chart to see all the roles Rotarians fill.
The scholarship application deadline is Friday, August 27. Contact District Executive Director Alexa Rundquist at alexa@rotary5950.org or 701-260-6314 as soon as possible. Remember, Institute is September 7-12!
Posted by Leif Hagen (Eagan), MN Pride Club President, 2021-22
The new Minnesota Pride Rotary Club is looking for 20 founding members to charter a new club. Help spread the word and encourage prospective members to attend the informational meeting on Tuesday, August 24 at 5:30 p.m. The group will make the Hilton Hotel at Hwy 494 and France Avenue (3900 American Blvd W, Bloomington) their weekly meeting location. The first guest speaker will be Past District Governor Tammy Laurent (pictured) addressing “What is Rotary? Why Rotary?”
This club will serve the LGBTQA community and its advocates. Anyone interested in joining or referring a prospective member to the new Minnesota Pride Rotary Club can contact Leif Hagen at Leif@AchievementFinancial.com or 651-209-6350.
Members of the Brooklyn Park and Global Travelers Clubs are stepping back into international service trips.They just completed a service project at Toror Clinic in western Kenya. Additionally, the female Rotarians taught a Days for Girls class for 47 girls in grades 6-8 and left a supply of kits for additional girls. A teacher received training so she can lead future Days for Girls educational programs.
Pictured with the 5950 Rotarians are the Deputy Mayor of Koricho County (center), Kericho County officials and three Kericho area Rotarians who are forming a new club that hopes to charter in September. The travelers thank PDG Tom and Catherine Gump for supplying Rotary pins that were given to the new Rotarians, county officials and distributed with the Days for Girls kits.
The Governor of Kericho County hosted the Brooklyn Park and Global Travelers members one evening. Now the 5950 Rotarians are spending a few days at the world famous Masai Mara National Preserve to experience aspects of the great animal migration of the Serengeti. If you or a prospective member are interested in the Global Travelers Club, contact Steve Laible at laible@comcast.net.
Your district has launched several new clubs. Congratulations! But the work isn’t done. Keeping clubs thriving is as important as getting them to the charter meeting if you want to reap the long-terms gains of membership growth.
Since a majority of charter members can be new to Rotary, it’s essential to nurture these clubs by embracing flexibility and seeking diversity. Rotary is committed to growing and diversifying our membership to reflect the communities we serve. Flexibility is essential as we adapt to changes in the world with new approaches such as virtual meetings and hybrid ones that combine the virtual and in-person experience.
District 5950, Minnesota, USA, has several new and vibrant clubs, which have added more than 80 people to the district’s membership, including many women. Past District Governor Tom Gump, 2020-21 shares his advice on how to keep your new clubs thriving, including:
The Rotary Club of Plymouth recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Like all clubs, their COVID experience showed that one of biggest struggles that clubs face is long-term membership. With guidance from Rotarian Peter Bartling, they created this YouTube videothat has been shared with Rotary members, businesses, friends and family across the country.
"I have been with Rotary for two years and found a great respect for the club and our activities in serving the community," said member Jon Ginther. "I hope that District 5950 clubs can use this video as a sample of what they can do so we all benefit from strength in numbers." Plymouth Rotary meets Thursday noon at Comfort Inn.
Ahhh, the familiar Zoom Rotary meeting -- anywhere from six to 60 faces online. However, on July 21, 600+ attended the Largest Rotary Club Meeting EVER!, hosted by three U.S. clubs including Edina/Morningside. Many entire clubs joined via one login, so the participant number is undoubtedly hundreds more. At least 16 countries were represented.
The event focused on Rotary surviving and thriving during the pandemic and beyond. Past District Governor Tom Gump introduced guest speaker Stephanie Urchick, a Past RI Director.
Urchick noted that one-third of all nonprofits were predicted to close because of COVID. Four reasons she's sure all levels of Rotary will survived and thrive relate to the new Action Plan which:
Increases Impact
Expands our Reach
Enhances participant Engagement
Increases our ability to Adapt.
She commended clubs who learned to use technology, held virtual events, and creatively and safely provided service. Continued virtual experiences will allow those who are unfamiliar with Rotary to test involvement with a club, whether locally or via an e-club.
"We don't know how strong we are until forced to step forward," she said. "There has never been a better time to be a Rotarian -- in a world that is new and different."
Rotary International launched a new recognition program to recognize those who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and success in growing club membership. The Membership Society for New Member Sponsors is a virtual gallery for those members who have sponsored 25 or more new members. Members can achieve different tiers of recognition as they continue to sponsor more members.
The recognition levels are:
· Bronze Level: Sponsored 25-29 members
· Silver Level: Sponsored 30-49 members
· Gold Level: Sponsored 50-74 members ► Includes Past District Governor Tom Gump!
·Platinum Level: Sponsored 75+ members
To be included in the Membership Society, an individual must sponsor 25 or more new members, and report those sponsorships to Rotary. New member sponsorship can only be between active members in the same club, and does not include charter members of a new club.
Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion or profession. Membership in a fellowship is open to any person who’s interested. Visit the Rotary Fellowships page to browse more than 90 topics.
Learn about these newly launched groups: Argentine Culture, Comedy & Laughter, Empowering Women, Global Development, Leadership Education & Development, and Palmwine.
Read stories about Rotary Fellowship activities.
Join a Rotary Fellowship to build international friendships.
Find resources to learn more about launching a Rotary Fellowship.
Members will soon be able to review district information from a dedicated landing page on My Rotary. In a few weeks, you’ll easily see which clubs and members are part of your district.This enhancement is part of the ongoing upgrades being made to the site.Throughout 2021, we’ll continue to improve your My Rotary experience by:
Making district officer and assistant governor information more easily accessible
Improving the process for district officers to report, remove, and replace district officers
Simplifying the assistant governor appointment process
Introducing a dashboard for governors that presents key district information in a visually meaningful way
Updating the process for managing district conferences and obtaining feedback
Recognizing members who have sponsored a certain number of new members
These new features will be released throughout the year.
Engagement is key. If we have engaging, vibrant, and inclusive club experiences, we will be more attractive to new members while keeping our existing members actively involved. Consider offering an assortment of opportunities and benefits like:
District Leadership is offering full scholarships (registration, flight and hotel) to the Zone Institute in Houston, TX on September 7-12, 2021. You qualify (really!) if you are interested in learning more about Rotary and applying your new skills to a district-level position. Check out D5950's 
The new Minnesota Pride Rotary Club is looking for 20 founding members to charter a new club. Help spread the word and encourage prospective members to attend the informational meeting on Tuesday, August 24 at 5:30 p.m. The group will make the Hilton Hotel at Hwy 494 and France Avenue (
Ahhh, the familiar Zoom Rotary meeting -- anywhere from six to 60 faces online. However, on July 21, 600+ attended the Largest Rotary Club Meeting EVER!, hosted by three U.S. clubs including Edina/Morningside. Many entire clubs joined via one login, so the participant number is undoubtedly hundreds more. At least 16 countries were represented.
The recognition levels are:
Learn about these newly launched groups: Argentine Culture, Comedy & Laughter, Empowering Women, Global Development, Leadership Education & Development, and Palmwine.
