Turn a dying club into a growing one

Having been a Rotary member for 40 years and club President early on and District Governor in the 2012/13 Rotary year, I had to do something more than sit on committees. So, as my term ended in 2013, I decided to start a new club.

My own club was deteriorating (age/stuck in history, evolution was a bad word) and died four years later. So, I started up the new club which is now ten years old.

I personally changed to the club about two years after it started. Now with a membership from 26 to 80+, 28 members (and about to add three more) and many being in work, from owners, to employees. I decided to present my views of what had been achieved and lessons learnt. So, here it is:

Poundbury Rotary Club – overview of the first ten years. Plus, some ideas/issues for the future and areas to be careful about.

1. Don’t let a very experienced Rotarian tell the club what to do. Just ask that person questions when you need to.

2. The club chooses days/times for meetings, weekly, fortnightly etc.

3. Let the club find its own way – and don’t try to run too fast.

Leadership stability.

4. Start with smaller events/charity activities and build up.

5. If the club doesn’t want a council, so be it. They will find out soon enough that they need one. But: club council does not make the final decision – that is up to the club.

6. The first phase is like toddlers finding their way – first three years*.

7. Then teenagers, a few personality skirmishes (foot stamping etc). Years three to five/six*.

8. Then mature adults, with a club council, regular meeting programme. Year seven plus, or probably earlier*.

9. From year three+ increase public awareness (events and successes and upcoming events), through the website, and all social media – and printed matter, and sound/vision broadcast – but ensure that whoever it is has some marketing/publicity experience if possible.

10. Involve as many members as possible – especially new members as soon as practical.

11. Consider corporate membership, and associate membership early on.

*About, could be any variation!

Things members might do more of:

1. Visits to other clubs and District competitions (e.g. skittles, bowls etc)
   
2. District events – forums, conferences etc.
   
3. And the largest one of all: the international convention. This is a true eyeopener for Rotary – it could be anywhere in the world.
   
4. Continuous recruiting needed, to hold the average age year on year.
   

Things to avoid:

1. Cliques – people always sitting together.
   
2. Personality clashes – leave such matters at the door on your way in.
   
3. Ignoring some members – keep everyone involved.
   
4. Members not attending very often – this should be explained by the person who might need Leave of Absence to cover the period.
   

It works well – and the credit is due to the members and leaders.

Peter JW Noble MBE,

Dorchester Poundbury Rotary Club