Ignite - What is it? District Conference

IGNITE – What is it? by Donna Wood

In the last ten years Rotary International has added 1.2 million members.  Unfortunately, we have also lost 1.2 million members with a net gain of zero.  A similar trend has occurred in District 5190.  That is not an encouraging picture.  The Ignite program was developed in response to this trend.  It is designed to encourage and help clubs grow.  Our speakers, Barbara D’Anneo and Andy McInnes have been tasked with carrying the word about Ignite to all the local clubs in the District.

The elements of growth are somewhat obvious - recruitment and retention.  While recognizing that the Quincy club has done a ‘great job’ this past year in growing our club, Barbara laid out some helpful ideas.  They include such things as inviting members of the business and professional community to participate in some of our activities - work activities, social activities, programs that might interest them – even before asking them about membership.  If they see what we are doing they are more likely to get excited about joining.  She also suggested focusing on young adults by offering them honorary memberships and involving them in a path toward membership for when they might be ready to become members. 

But getting new members is only part of the program.  Just as important is retention which was Andy McInnes’ focus.  He offered several strategies for consideration such as doing periodic surveys to identify what’s important to members.  He suggested an exit interview with members who resign to know what we could have done/might do better.  Make meetings enjoyable and interesting, something he says we are obviously doing well.  He said regular club assemblies are important to engage members in what’s going on in the club, in the district and at the international level. Several of Andy’s suggestions are things we are already doing, and it shows.  Quincy Rotary Club is one of twenty-seven clubs that reached Premier Club status by January 2012. 

The one thing both Barbara and Andy stressed is that it’s not just up to the membership committee to grow the club.  It requires the efforts of every member.