- Through collaborative projects and improved marketing and communication, achieve a growth in membership (presently 301) by July 2026.
- Lifting the Lid on Youth Mental Health
- Rebuilding the Rotaract Club providing incentives to attract more younger members.
- Wellington’s Walk for Mental Health, February 15th, Cello Basin Reserve.
- An aging and declining membership
- Clubs geographically widespread.
- Working members time poor.
- Having the required skills, especially in the IT and Social Media space.
- Recessionary and tough economic times especially in Wellington.
- A Rotarian checking Club Bulletins, highlighting a list of diverse and hands-on activities communicating with a Rotaract contact who will share it with his network encouraging young people to take part and see what Rotary actually does.
- Better communication of Clubs’ speakers’ programmes so the community knows what is happening and is encouraged to come and listen.
- Creating a ‘Friends Of’ category such as ‘Friends of Lifting the Lid’ inviting the support of friends and family so that they can gain closer insights into Rotary’s work.
- Improved use of social media and branding emphasis wherever possible.
- Each Club to have its own Director of Membership.
- Each Club to plan for a sum of money within its budget for membership so it can host an event to encourage new members.
- David Shackleton, I/C Membership for the District, is available for support and help with further ideas.
Collaborative Projects
The growing importance of working collaboratively received strong support from all present and the agreement that plenty of combined work and planning were already happening and being proposed for the future. Main examples are:
‘Lifting the Lid on Youth Mental Health’. This has been going for two years now and six Rotary Clubs are closely involved.
Wellington Heritage Festival. This will fly under the Rotary banner, and at last count there were 140 events and activities planned over the month of October.
Birdwood Zealandia project. From Birdwood Crescent through the bush into Zealandia a walking path and bridge are to be built which will add to the Zealandia experience and greatly improve the safety of families walking in from the main road. Several Rotary Clubs are already involved and the goal is to raise $120,000.
Wellington Hospital Foundation financial support for Life Flight’s new fixed wing plane with the neo-natal fit out , especially the lifting apparatus required for the incubators. Judith Gray is spearheading this appeal and talking to Rotary clubs and others.
Tree planting. This is a very popular community and group project and several Rotary Clubs have planted large number of new plants and trees during 2024. The young particularly enjoy this type of hands-on exercise with the green environmental theme of doing our bit to answer climate change. I know that 3 times this year Port Nicholson has joined with Tawa and were impressively joined by large numbers of enthusiastic Interactors to plant over 1,000 trees.
Jumbo Tennis. Wellington Rotary Club has run this popular event for many years and Port Nicholson will be helping them attract corporate teams in the future
GROWING MEMBERSHIP - NEW APPROACHES
Corporate Memberships. A business pays a larger subscription and is able to send any one of four or five people through the year.
Family Memberships. One person pays the full membership fee but other family members are able to come to meetings during the year for a reduced sum.
Associate memberships. A cheaper membership fee for two years encouraging people to join.
Local membership. People who are not be registered with RI but would be attached to your Club
Friends of the Club. This group would include spouses and husbands of deceased Rotarians.
NB. The importance of growth to Rotary in the future is such that Clubs are now looking very closely at what is possible.
BRANDING and PUBLIC IMAGE
Becoming far more visible was a main theme here. It was agreed that Rotary tends to be too humble in its approach being happy to operate behind the scenes whereas now the need is to be more direct, public facing and sharing our achievements.
Building a digital network is a work in progress and needs continued emphasis.
Wearing Rotary T Shirts, more frequent use of signage and banners as well as having Rotary and Club cards that you can give to people were all discussed.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Clubs may well favour environmental themes in the future, or themes like poverty, violence and diversity.
Rotaract could well connect and link with young Pacifica with a view to future membership.
The emphasis on attracting youth will remain a goal, but we should not forget the fast growing numbers of senior citizens who now have time on their hands and may welcome a purpose. So an approach to Retirement Homes could be worthwhile.
The question we must ask ourselves is how relevant are we now in our rapidly-changing communities?
These noticeable changes mean that Clubs can judiciously structure themselves for growth in the best way to suit the communities they serve.
CONTINUING THE GROWTH THEME AND MAINTAINING CONTACT
My aim will be that we remain in contact each month, meeting in person bi monthly and having a zoom conversation in the intervening months.
I greatly look forward to keeping in contact and coming to visit you at your Clubs at an appropriate time. If you have any thoughts, comments or question please let me know.
Yours in Rotary
Tony