Submitted by: Donald Cavalier, Membership Chair
 
District 5580 is a massive, and a huge complex organization.  As this issue of May Cross Currents goes to press we have 2,920 members (36 net gain to date), 66 Rotary Clubs in three States (North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin) and Ontario Canada.  We have adopted a new Rotary Public Image campaign that is available NOW.  Bring your club’s story to life and help the people of this District understand who we are: “Leaders who work together to connect, inspire, and transform or communities”.
 
As we adopt our New Vision: 
“Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change-across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves”, we need to spread the word as we attract and engage new members to Rotary.
 
Last year (2017) membership in our District hit a 5 year low, at 2,884, though we’ve since rebounded, raising the figures so far this year to a net growth of 36 members, “That’s not good enough”!  We can do better and hope to increase membership closer to 3,000 plus members by June 30th, 2018, the end of this Rotary year.  “It’s simple:  The more members we have, the more people we can help, our clubs will be stronger and become “People of Action”!  A stronger membership base will result in stronger communities.  All we have to do is “ASK” and if there is interest in joining our “great” organization follow-up as soon as possible.
 
Getting New Membership!
“You may never know what results come of your “ACTION”, but if you do nothing there will be no result”.  Doing nothing is not an option if we want to increase and retain our membership.  It is very important that if we are going to be successful in attracting and involving more members, we need to share good practices and ideas.  The aim of our District 5580 Membership Committee is to provide practical help to all of the Clubs in our District. Throughout his past year we have provided a list of those things we can help with.  We are not here to tell you what to do, but to provide the flexibility needed to help you recruit new members.  We have divided seeking new member ideas into the Direct Approach and Indirect.
 
THE DIRECT APPROACH  
 The Direct Approach involves openly seeking new members.  This means letting everyone know that we are recruiting new members and asking people to join.
 1.  Carry out a recruitment drive!
a. Let everyone know that you are actively seeking new members.  Make it clear in your marketing literature, on your website and social media.
b. Have a letter writing campaign. Write to local business people, community members and people you know. Tell them about Rotary and invite them to join
c. Host an information meeting for potential members  
d. Encourage members to bring potential members to your club. Develop the ethos that the responsibility for membership is with every Rotarian.
e. Invite family members and friends to join
f. Consider diversity and actively seek members from groups that are not represented in you club.
g. Invite “ASK” potential members to join your club and follow-up 
2. Let people know you are recruiting
a. Produce information folders for visitors about Rotary and becoming a Rotarian. 
b. Advertise the fact that you are seeking new members in local papers and social media sites. If you cannot get an article in the local paper, write a letter to the editor for the letters page.
c. Join local business forums or community forums and tell them about Rotary.
d. Try to get on a speaker’s list for other community groups and give a talk about Rotary.     
 
Hosting an information meeting.
Information meetings are an excellent way for developing people’s understanding of rotary and encouraging membership.  There is no right or wrong way toformat an information meeting.  Some clubs have a good interest speaker, invite potential members and provide them with some literature. Others clubs give a short presentation about Rotary and their club and include the benefits of membership and commitment.   
 
 THE INDIRECT APPROACH
1.  Raise your club’s profile
a. Get articles into papers, magazines, online magazines and social media   about the activities of your club. If you cannot get an article  get letters in   the Letters to the Editor  sections if they have them.
b.    Distribute your club newsletter throughout your community. Put them in  waiting rooms at the doctors, dentists, libraries, charity shops etc.
c.    Put posters up on community notice boards and those you see in local    supermarkets.
d.    Give out community awards for groups and individuals who do outstanding  work in your community or for significant achievements.
e.    Produce marketing materials for your club, such as bookmarks or postcards and brochures. Distribute them around your community.
f.      Build a website for your club if you do not have one.
g.    Give talks about your club to other organizations.
h.    Get pro-active in your community. Have a stall at fairs and festivals and    other community events.
i.     Get involved in local strategic partnership initiatives. 
j.      Take advantage of social media and other online outlets to market your  club.
k.     Produce a monthly newsletter and distribute it around your community.
l.      Develop your community service projects and raise awareness to them. 
m.   Print club business cards with club meeting location and time.
n.     Market the benefits of joining Rotary in your literature.
o.    Have some social events to attract potential new members.
 
You have all, previously, received a copy of the District 5580 Membership Bulletin that contains more information about projects and membership
resources. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.  Donald Cavalier at cavalier@umn.edu.  Thanks