PRESIDENT ELECT’S MESSAGE
The Future Vision Group met on April 16, 2013. The group addressed meeting attendance (and a few other things). As you may remember we have had some very low attendance rates at recent meetings (as low as 40%) and the group wanted to discuss ways to energize existing members so they attend meetings and to see what can be done to make meetings more attractive to new Rotarians. Some of the suggestions were:
1. Making phone calls to members who have missed one or more meetings, asking if all is ok and encouraging them to attend;
2. Having a greeter at every club meeting and event, possibly a Past President;
3. Providing board minutes or a summary of board action each month to inform members (being done);
4. Providing the bulletin to Significant Others (done);
5. A President’s weekly column. Contributions can be made by President Elect or other Rotarians (done);
6. To develop a system that would encourage more varied seating arrangements to encourage members to sit with different Rotarians during the year;
7. Remove a table in the back so that front tables are filled, making a better presentation for our speakers (as opposed to empty tables right in front of the speaker);
8. There was a discussion about moving various meeting features so they are not as consistent (i.e. setting up the room differently, having the raffle or introduction of visiting Rotarians at different time in the meeting);
Some overall issues regarding encouraging more member participation at meetings were to have fellowship events such bowling, hikes, attend Pacific baseball game and other activities that do not involve a meeting and can include family members.
There was discussion about the Progressive Dinner and Tony indicated that it is being planned for his year. Both Christine and I intend to maintain that tradition although we will be flexible with the structure of it.
Not surprisingly many of the Past Presidents who attended felt that the Past President’s lunch should be reactivated. Per my previous comments I have already planned for that.
Past Presidents also suggested that they be invited to board meetings. There is also discussion about member, officer and director mentoring by sponsors, Past Presidents and sitting directors.
The other suggestions from the floor were to develop a more robust membership drive in a concentrated time period, possibly with prizes for guest and new members.
There was discussion about having fun at meetings, redeveloping the committee structure for the Avenues of Service (generally one person runs each avenue) and ways to get more people involved in club activities and helping with club, project and fund raising jobs.
Christine and I really want increased participation in and satisfaction with the club to be important goals for our years as President. Obviously we cannot do that alone and depend upon your input, ideas and the valuable past experiences that you have. If you have other ideas regarding meeting attendance, communications (which was addressed in last week’s column) or any aspect about the club please send it either to me at jeff@jeffmoss.com or to Christine at christine_goodin@hotmail.com. Providing your ideas will help your Officers and Board to develop the club that you want Terra Linda Rotary to be.
Jeff Moss
President Elect