In sport most often the team that kicks the most goals wins the match.

Article by PDG Stephen Lamont, Rotary Coordinator

It takes a team to produce a run of successful passes to end up at the goal line – but we also know in advance where our goals are and the direction that we need to move towards to achieve that ultimate goal. If we look at Team Membership what are our goals for this Rotary season?

Our overall goal is for team success. We need to embrace the concept that team comes first – and we can only really achieve success by working and supporting each other. Our team is made up of various players, with individual talents, but we only achieve the ultimate by each team member playing to their strengths. Our players include District Governor trains, District Membership Chairs, District trainers, Regional Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators, Club Presidents, and Club members.

Goal one is about increasing the teamwork and bond between Rotary and Rotaract. Rotaractors are equal and valued partners in service alongside Rotarians and we both need to create opportunities to get to know each other and to work together. The simplest way to do this is by working together on service projects, events and community facing activities. Inviting each other to attend a meeting is often the first and very simple step.

Goal two is to work with districts to start and nurture new clubs. It is important to analyse membership and community demographic data to identify locations that can support new clubs. Is there an opportunity to create a corporate club or include corporate membership in an existing club? Has there been a new major employer moved into your area? Inviting potential members to attend a few club meetings or service projects as a “try before you buy” is a wonderful way for prospective members to view the club in action.

Goal three is to partner with Districts Membership Chairs (DMC). DMCs are in the ideal position to create district and club membership activities. Reviewing membership assessment tools can enable clubs to determine what their members want from their membership. This can also assist to find engaging activities that can contribute to the comfort, care and retention of volunteers. DMCs also have the ability to access courses in the Rotary Learning Centre and then use additional RI funding, which can be used for membership development.

Goal four is to work with clubs by collaborating on workshops to address club and member needs. There are numerous resources available on MyRotary and Rotary Club Central to nurture clubs. We simply need to spend some time reviewing what is available and tapping into an area that is applicable. For example, attraction and retention rates can be viewed, and strategies can then be developed making use of this data. Sharing ideas and tips for successful growth activities can be done by contacting other clubs within your district. DMCs can also collaborate with their Assistant Rotary Coordinators to hear of successful activities from other districts within the Zone.

As team membership we need to continue to collaborate, work and communicate with our team members – if we do this, we have the capacity to be unstoppable.