or event speakers allows them to share insight and enthusiasm that can inspire new members. This is .... 1560 Sherman Av
INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS TO ROTARY AN ORIENTATION GUIDE
When new people join your club, you have an opportunity to connect with them and inspire them to be active members.
“Our club has veered away from the traditional, formal Rotary orientation where we give the full history of Rotary including the history of our 78-year-old club. We make the ... members comfortable in an ambience of club fellowship and camaraderie. Information about our club is passed on as part of an informal conversation. ... We also engage his/her family members into the conversation. We make them feel that Rotary is all about family. So far, it works.” — Evangeline Maranan, Rotary Club of Baguio, Benguet, Philippines
Research shows that clubs that have a new member orientation program also have higher member retention rates. A new member orientation program is a plan for engaging new members and acclimating them to your club. This guide can help you develop your own orientation plan or improve the one you have.
DEVELOP A NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION PROGRAM There is no formula for an effective Rotary orientation — clubs all over the world are finding creative ways to introduce new members to Rotary. The orientation programs that are successful are those that offer a meaningful learning experience, personal connections, inspiration, and fun. In comparison to how we teach prospective members about Rotary, new member orientation is more in-depth but also slower-paced, so as not to overwhelm new members with too much information. Some clubs hold informational sessions and others have fun “start classes” in a less formal setting. The size of your club may inform the format you choose. Regardless of the setup, pacing the orientation allows new members to form relationships and get involved in ways that best fit their interests and needs. Check with your district membership attraction and engagement chair to see if your district offers a districtwide new member orientation, and encourage new members to attend.
2 Introducing New Members to Rotary
WHAT TO COVER Before joining, your newest members learned a little about Rotary and your club as prospective members. Build on their understanding, and answer any questions they may have. The table below offers ideas to get you started.
ROTARY F or context and depth, start by explaining: • That your club is part of an international organization of people who share a passion for service • Rotary’s mission and values • Rotary’s legacy in the effort to eradicate polio worldwide • How Rotary started and grew F ind historical information and more on the About Rotary page or take courses such as Rotary’s Strategic Plan, Areas of Focus, and Rotary Foundation Basics on the Learning Center.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP E xplain the benefits of membership, including opportunities to: • Make a difference in the lives of others • Develop skills that can easily be applied to a career, like public speaking, project management, and event planning • Network with other professionals • Build lifelong friendships • Make international connections L et new members know they can also receive discounts on a variety of services all over the world through the Rotary Global Rewards program and post offers from their own companies.
YOUR CLUB G ive new members a clearer idea of what to expect as a member of your club, including: • Your club’s culture and different kinds of meetings • What your club does best and what it’s known for • Your club’s history • Projects and activities your club is involved in • Social events P oint new members to other information about your club, including its website, social media pages, and any other materials your club has. Note: Communicate financial requirements and participation expectations to prospective members before they join.
F ind more information on video.rotary.org or the Member Center.
How you decide to offer orientation to new members will reflect your club culture. Some clubs have fun activities new members have to complete in order to earn a badge, “passport,” or other type of recognition, and the program ends with a celebration. See the page 6 for a list of ways new members can get involved and learn more about Rotary. Whatever you do, make sure new members feel welcome and have an opportunity to engage with your club right away. Your club may already have a new member orientation program. If so, just use this guide to get ideas to enhance it. Regularly evaluate your program by asking new members for feedback, and then use it to improve your program for future new members.
Introducing New Members to Rotary 3
ASSIGN A MENTOR “Mentoring is, in my opinion, the most important part of the orientation process. However, mentors cannot just be appointed and left on their own. They must be trained! Their duties and expectations must be clear and a list of expected activities or actions with the new member must be clear. ... Effective mentors will virtually guarantee longterm retention and active involvement of the new member. Poor mentorship will almost certainly assure short-term retention. Mentoring is too valuable to leave it to happenstance.” — Joseph Hentges, Rotary Club of Marana Dove Mountain, Arizona, USA
Clubs around the world have found it’s useful to assign new members a mentor. The mentor should be someone who has something in common with the new member, has a welcoming personality, is committed to the club’s growth, and is knowledgeable about Rotary. Be sure that the mentor you assign has the time to devote to helping the new member become integrated into your club. While some mentoring relationships continue for some time, the first six months are the most important.
ASK MENTORS TO: • • • • •
Let the new members know how to contact them Check with them regularly to make sure they’re comfortable Introduce them to other club members Encourage them to invite someone they know to a meeting Show them Rotary’s tools on My Rotary, including Club Finder and the Learning Center, and any app your club uses • Talk to them about open roles they could fill • Invite them and their family members to attend the district conference • Accompany them to events You can offer mentor training to members to improve their mentoring skills with this leadership skills training guide.
“[Once] new members are inducted, we give them the following: • A mentor to help guide the new Rotarian and answer questions. • A temporary name tag. When they have completed a “passport” checklist, we present them with a permanent badge and a Rotary club jacket at a club meeting. • A printed club history as well as a glossary of Rotary terms and acronyms to help explain the “language” of Rotary. • A n invitation to a “fireside chat.” Twice a year, we hold these for new members and their spouses. They are held at a Rotarian’s home and are attended by several Rotarians of various ages. This provides a relaxed social setting. The objective is to give new members a chance to interact and ask questions that club meetings don’t provide.” — Brian Wilson, Rotary Club of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada 4 Introducing New Members to Rotary
INVOLVE AND CONNECT MEMBERS “We’ve grown our club from 78 to 112 by focusing on our orientations. We have a social at the chair’s home [where we cover] the history and Rotary basics with everyone present reporting. ... Prior to the meeting we orient again for 1 hour with even more members speaking about their roles. In all, our new members meet 15‑20 members. We ask new members when initiated that day to give us a membership moment about themselves and they will have practiced it two times during the orientations! People really get Rotary with this process.” — Cindi Hewitt, Rotary Club of Summit (Greensboro), North Carolina, USA
Prospective members join Rotary to make a difference, and they stay because of the friendships they’ve made. No matter how much impact your club has in the community, if new members don’t make a connection with others in the club, they are unlikely to stay. Here are some ways to create a welcoming environment: • Keep presentations brief and avoid Rotary acronyms in and outside of meetings • Let new members know how they can involve their families Find ways to get to know new members better and help them get to know other members. For example, some clubs give their new members access to a member directory (printed or online) with pictures and a short bio for each member. Others ask new and seasoned members to take turns each month, giving brief talks about themselves, their professions, and backgrounds. Share your ideas on our Membership Best Practices discussion group. Involving experienced members as mentors, trainers, celebration planners, or event speakers allows them to share insight and enthusiasm that can inspire new members. This is also a way to engage experienced members who are otherwise disengaged. Offering their experiences and advice can be enjoyable and rewarding. Many clubs find fun ways for members to get acquainted through games or interactive activities.
“New members should be treated like new employees at a company. The [early] months [are] critical for both [the club and the new member,] as that is when a new member will feel the most engaged and excited about their decision to join the club. So engaging them to keep that feeling high will enhance the experience for that new member, as well as the club. Like a new employee in a company, there should be an effort to make them feel welcome, training, socials to make new friends, etc. Too many times I have seen new members become disengaged early because they are left to themselves to figure it out.” — Gina McBryan, Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Introducing New Members to Rotary 5
HOW CAN WE ENGAGE NEW MEMBERS? Encourage new members to get involved in some of the following ways: “All new members are given a checklist to complete before we give them their membership badge. This includes items such as ... attending a board meeting and getting involved in one of our projects. This helps to engage new members immediately in the club before they become complacent and view Rotary as a weekly lunch obligation.” — Chase Moses, Rotary Club of Lake City, Florida, USA
• Read the Rotary Foundation Reference Guide and Connect for Good • Introduce yourself to two new people each week • Meet with a mentor • Attend new member information sessions • Attend a club board meeting • Attend a district meeting (for example, the district conference) • Create a My Rotary account • Participate in a service project • Join a committeee • Present at a club meeting • Take an online course on the Learning Center (learn.rotary.org) • Find information about the club (website, etc.) • Invite a friend to a meeting • Explore club website and Rotary.org • Have some fun!
“Our club offers a weekly “Rotarian in the Spotlight” with a twist. We play “Three Truths and a Lie” with a member each week in an effort to get to know members better. We have found in a club our size people like to “be known,” and we rotate interviewing board members, 20+ year members, and brand new members. This seems to work better than simply having someone stand up and share a few words about who they are and what they do — and it always leads to laughs!” — Mandi Stanley, Rotary club of Madison-Ridgeland, Mississippi, USA 6 Introducing New Members to Rotary
USE ROTARY RESOURCES “In addition to Rotary new member information, our club has what we call a fireside chat. That is when a senior member of the club sits one-on-one with a new member and discusses some of the history of Rotary. There are also videos available on Rotary’s website that the whole club can view. It is always good to share these with all members. Additionally, it is always good to get new members involved. Get them on a committee, a fundraiser, or whatever seems a good fit.”
Rotary has resources to supplement your training. You can find all kinds of information about Rotary on the About Rotary page. Show new members videos about Rotary, and why members joined, on video.rotary.org. Have new members register for My Rotary and take a course or two at Rotary’s Learning Center, such as Rotary Foundation Basics, Strengthen Rotary, and Rotary’s Areas of Focus. Order the New Member Welcome Kit for new members from shop.rotary.org. Your members’ needs will change over time, and engaging with them at all stages of their membership, not just when they’re new, is key to keeping them happy and active in the club. To understand how to engage current members, see Improving Your Member Retention and Connect for Good. To learn how to follow up with and engage prospective members, see Creating a Positive Experience for Prospective Members.
— Grant Bayer, Rotary Club of Gloucester TownshipPine Hill, New Jersey, USA
“Rotary completely changed me as a person ... now I have a more mature ... responsible role to play as a global citizen. ... That’s the hidden power of Rotary ... exemplifying how Rotary can make a 360-degree impact on a new Rotarian ... needs to be incorporated [into new member training].” — R. Murali Krishna, Rotary Club of Berhampur, Orissa, India Introducing New Members to Rotary 7
MEMBERSHIP ASSESSMENT TOOLS Take time to address specific membership areas
ROTARY CLUB HEALTH CHECK See how your club is doing and find remedies for problem areas
TAKE A FRESH APPROACH TO CREATING A MEANINGFUL CLUB EXPERIENCE These resources can help
BE A VIBRANT CLUB Find ideas to reinvigorate members
CONNECT TO MEMBERSHIP LEADS Contact interested candidates and grow your club
STRENGTHENING YOUR MEMBERSHIP Create a plan to give your club a boost
Available for download
CONNECT FOR GOOD Inspire members to explore ways to get involved
www.rotary.org/membership
One Rotary Center 1560 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL 60201-3698 USA www.rotary.org
414-EN—(816)
INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS Although there is no prescribed ceremony for inducting new members, it is very important that becoming a Rotarian be marked with some formality It is suggested that the family attends, as it is important for a Rotarian to have family support. The following ceremonies have come to our attention. Please feel free to use or adapt them accordingly. I You have been chosen to membership in the Rotary Club of __________ because your fellow members believe you to be a leader in your vocation and because you manifest those qualities of head and of heart which fit you to interpret and impart the message of Rotary to those with whom you come in contact. You are the representative of your vocation in this club and any contribution of an educational value pertaining to that vocation must naturally come to us through you. On the other hand, you become the ambassador from us to your classification, and it becomes your duty to carry the ideals and principles of service to your work. The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and in particular, to encourage and foster: First: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; Second: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his occupation as an opportunity to serve society; Third: The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his personal, business and community life. Fourth: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. I charge you to judge yourself by the Rotary Four-Way Test of the things you think, say or do: First
Is it the Truth?
Second
Is it fair to all concerned?
Third
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Fourth
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The community will know and judge Rotary through your embodiment of it in character and service, and we accept you as a member because we believe our principles and organization to be safe in your keeping. We also expect much from you in help and inspiration, which will enable us to be better Rotarians, and with this hope we most heartily offer you Rotary fellowship.
II Fellow Rotarians, it is the duty of our Rotary club to add new members from time to time, so that we may not only increase our usefulness and influence as a club, but also to extend the spirit of Rotary throughout the community. Today, I welcome to our ranks and admit to membership ____________. Rotarian _______, you have been elected to membership in this club because your fellow members believe you to be a worthy representative of your calling and also to possess qualities that will permit you to exemplify the true spirit of Rotary in your public, business, social and private life. I wish to impress upon you that you have been admitted not only to the Rotary Club of ___________, but to a worldwide association; and by virtue of your membership in this club, you will be welcomed into the fellowship of any Rotary club in the world. The honor and privilege of Rotary membership carries with it duties and obligations. You will be expected to attend the club's meetings regularly, to perform your share of club service, and to place your knowledge and talents at the disposal of the club in its task of carrying the principles of Rotary into the daily life of the community. I ask all members to rise. Rotarian _____, in the name of the Rotary Club of _____________ I now formally admit you to membership in this club and affix to your lapel our emblem. Fellow Rotarians, I commend to you our newest member, Rotarian __________ who has been loaned the classification of ____________, and charge all of you to welcome him/her. III Rotary is an international organization of business and professional people with Rotary clubs in ___ countries. When one joins Rotary, he/she becomes a part of a worldwide fraternity. You can travel throughout most of the world and find a Rotary club within easy distance. Rotarians will welcome you warmly, even though the language may be different, the food unusual, and the location far from home. The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and in particular, to encourage and foster: First: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; Second: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his occupation as an opportunity to serve society; Third: The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his personal, business and community life. Fourth: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. I charge you to judge yourself by the Rotary Four-Way Test of the things you think, say or do: First
Is it the Truth?
Second
Is it fair to all concerned?
Third
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Fourth
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
You have a lot to learn about Rotary - it's not just another club. It's a way of life. But, you were elected to membership because we felt you would fit into this way of life. You will be expected to attend the weekly meetings. In fact, you MUST attend, if you are to remain a Rotarian. Always remember Rotary's motto: “Service Above Self.” Rotary is like everything else - you get out of it what you put into it. Congratulations, Rotarian ____________, you are at this moment the newest Rotarian in the world. IV Rotarian __________ will you please bring forward your nominee for membership in our club. __________, you have been selected by the members this club to hold active membership and are hereby loaned the classification of __________ (modify depending on type of membership held). The principles, responsibilities and obligations of Rotary have been explained to you, and you have expressed your willingness to become a Rotarian. No one is eligible to become a Rotarian unless, in his business or professional life, he/she endeavors to practice the principles of goodwill and service. The members of this club have invited you to join them because they believe you are already actuated by these motives. In electing you to membership, we are doing more than taking you into our fellowship. We are making you a trustee with us of Rotary's ideals. Knowing you to be a Rotarian, the world will henceforth judge Rotary by your conduct. Membership in Rotary is an honor and privilege, and every privilege has its corresponding obligations. One of the special obligations of membership is regular attendance at the weekly meetings; it is the basic method of fulfilling the principle of fellowship and also a way by which you represent your vocation. Every member is expected to perform his share of club and community service, and the committees of the club will afford you opportunities to give service. For the rest of this Rotary year, I would be pleased if you would serve on the ____________ committee. Lastly, but by no means least, is our ideal of friendship. As you expect to receive, so give. May you be stimulated by the friendship you find here, and may we in return know you to be an added source of strength to our club. Will the members please stand. It is my privilege and honor to induct you as a member of the Rotary Club of ____________. I also have pleasure in pinning on the emblem of our worldwide association. Wear it always and with pride. Fellow Rotarians, I present to you Rotarian __________ and I charge you not to fail in your duty by giving him/her your friendship and helping to make his/her membership useful and happy.
V ____________, you have been proposed for membership in the Rotary Club of ____________ by Rotarian ____________ and duly elected. Therefore, it is my pleasure to formally induct you into this club. I understand that you are aware of Rotary requirements and that you have indicated your willingness to follow them, as well as your willingness to offer your services to assist your fellow Rotarians in their community and international projects. As you know, Rotary is a service club, each member performing what Rotary terms as "Service Above Self." In addition to service, you will have the benefit of strong bonds of friendship with fellow Rotarians, locally and worldwide. Now, I present you with a packet of Rotary literature. I especially commend to your attention the Object of Rotary and the Four-Way Test, which form the criteria for Rotarians in their daily lives. I suggest also that as you travel, you avail yourself of the special opportunity you will have to attend Rotary meetings and meet Rotarians throughout the world. This is another very rewarding benefit of your membership. And now, by the power vested in me as president of the Rotary Club of ____________, I pin this Rotary emblem on you and declare you to be an active member of this Rotary club. Welcome to Rotary! We all look forward to the enrichment of our lives as well as that of your own, by your association in this, the world's oldest, largest and finest service organization. VI President:
Who has the honor of sponsoring this person for membership in the Rotary Club of _______?
Sponsor:
I do.
President:
Please introduce this person to the club.
Sponsor:
(Gives name and other pertinent information on the proposed member.)
President:
Have you explained the Object of Rotary to him/her? (If time permits, the Object can be recited.)
Sponsor:
I have.
President:
Is he/she aware that he/she will be a part of an association with over 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide in over 31,000 clubs located in over 160 lands.
All of Sponsor: President:
them devoted He/she is.
to
the
same
principle
of
“Service
Above
Self.”
__________, do you know The Four-Way Test?
New Member: Yes, it is: First - Is it the Truth?; Second - Is it fair to all concerned?; Third Will it build goodwill and better friendships?; and Fourth - Will it be beneficial to all concerned? President:
Will you apply the Test to the things that you think, say and do?
New Member: Yes. President:
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you as the newest member of the Rotary Club of __________. Congratulations!
VII ____________, you have been selected by the members of the Rotary Club of ____________ to become one of us. Membership in Rotary is an honor and a privilege with corresponding duties and obligations, including service on club committees. You will be expected to participate in all four avenues of service and to attend this club's meetings regularly and when absent to make up. Because you represent a classification, it is your duty to tell us about your vocation and to bring the ideals of Rotary to your business/profession. The community will know and judge Rotary by your actions. Therefore, membership in our organization must be limited to those who possess the qualities that will further the goals and ideals of Rotary. You have been chosen for membership because we are confident that the image and ideals of Rotary are safe in your keeping. (sponsor puts on pin) It is with great pleasure that we welcome you as a fellow member of the Rotary Club of __________. Congratulations! VIII Fellow Rotarians, it is my privilege and pleasure today to welcome into membership in our club ____________, whose name was proposed by __________. The proposal has been reviewed in accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the club. I now ask __(sponsor)__ to come up here with __(proposed new member). __________, we now proceed to admit you into membership in the Rotary Club of __________ and so to the fellowship of Rotary throughout the world. It has already been explained to you that the ideal of Rotary is service. Our principal motto is “Service Above Self” and the object of this club and all Rotary clubs is to encourage and foster this ideal as a basis of worthy enterprise. You are to share in this effort. You have been approved for membership in this club because we believe you to be a worthy representative of your vocation, interested in the ideals of Rotary, and willing to do your share in translating these ideals into tangible realities. You have agreed to accept the obligations attached to your membership in this club, and to obey this club's constitution and bylaws. Now I have the pleasure of asking your proposer to pin on the Rotary emblem, which we expect you to wear daily and with pride. Welcome to the Rotary Club of ____________. Fellow Rotarians, I am happy to present to you Rotarian ____________, our newest member.
