Clubs are always looking for ways to grow and recruit new members, There are many things club members can do in order to attract new members. Here, you’ll find a hundred viable approaches that one could use in order to recruit more members.

1. Ask someone
2. Bring a guest to meetings
3. Advertise in newspapers & cable TV
4. Have a clear club goal & a strategic plan
5. Letters or personal contact with local businesses
6. Contact with Chamber of Commerce
7. Place customized bookmarks in library books
8. Have public meetings at malls, outdoors, etc
9. Have a booth at malls, fairs, festivals etc. Continue reading →

For more than 80 years, Rotary’s Bylaws stated that members shall be ‘men’ of good character in professional occupations. This was done because, in the early 1900s, most jobs outside the home were held by men only. In 1989 at the Council on Legislation, delegates realized that women were now having careers beyond the home, and were now in those same professional occupations alongside their male counterparts. The Council voted at that time that membership shall be open to both genders. 

As we look at today’s businesses and professional occupations, we see that in many cultures, men and women hold these positions equally. As it was in the early 1900s, Rotary should reflect the make-up of the community in which it resides. Clubs are strongly encouraged to invite both males and females to membership.

As I’ve visited many clubs around the world, I have seen firsthand that the clubs who have become dual gender are the stronger Rotary clubs. I don’t say this because I think it is the women who have made the club stronger. I say this because clubs that are balanced with diversity of gender (as well as race, religion and classifications), are generally stronger clubs.

Men and women have different strengths, different talents, different management styles and different ways of dealing with situations. It is this mix of differences that gives the club the ability to get things done most effectively. The all male or all female clubs are missing a great opportunity that diversity brings.

Now and then we hear from all male clubs that they are “open” to women, however they “haven’t found any” to invite. To that I say….open your eyes! 

R.I.D. Betsy

The increasing number of snowbirds in Canada and other cold, winter climates, has made it difficult for Rotarians to maintain their membership and stay connected with their club. Many have given up membership, just for that reason.

District 5370 (Central/Western Canada), may have found a solution and is exploring the chartering of an E-club

We are currently conducting a survey to gauge levels of interest among existing members of clubs in this District and within Canada. If you are interested in possible membership of this E-club or would like to receive more information about its formation, please complete the attached survey. The results will used to determine its viability.

E-clubs are an exciting innovation by RI, offering a new form of Rotary participation. This first E-club to be established in District 5370, will be designed to accommodate current and former Rotarians who spend the winter months away and are not able to participate in regular club activities year round. Former members of Rotary who left for this reason may also consider this option.

Membership with an e-club requires the same level of Rotary “attendance” as a traditional Rotary club and the same level of commitment to the full range of a club’s activities and projects except that ‘meetings’ are conducted via the internet. Service projects may involve hands-on work and/or fundraising and fellowship may entail occasional social gatherings.  (Note: This is not an adjunct to current club membership – as you can only belong to one club.)

Send this to friends, prospective or former Rotarians who may have an interest in exploring this option and return the completed form no later than September 6, 2011 per instructions on the form.  The form IS HERE

Questions about e-clubs? http://www.rotaryeclubs.com  or contact PDG Elly Contreras miselly2@platinum.ca.

Karly gets a hug at Grande Prairie Airport

I could not post on the blog about Karly and her Rotary Youth Exchange in Japan until recently..  Now she is safe at home. The period we brought Karly home was, well – hard.  We are so grateful to have Karly home, yet so worried about what she left behind.   Host families,  host brothers and sisters, her Rotary Club, her school mates.  She was able to say good-bye to her host families and school principal, but not her friends or host Rotary Club.

Since August, 2010 Karly lived in Koriyama, Fukushima – 60 km’s away from the Fukushima power plant.  So when the earthquake hit we thought at first she would be staying, but it became obvious within a few days the danger from the plant was growing.

We are so thankful to Karly’s host dad.  I think he had enough to worry about – yet he drove for 7 hours from Koriyama to Tokyo using back roads, the main highways or trains were not an option.  After dropping Karly and another exchange student at the airport – Karly was airbound 4 hours later.  The other exchange student though didn’t leave for 24 hours.  Karly’s host dad refused to leave her side until she too was safe on the airplane.  He stayed with her another 24 hours in the airport.  He is our hero.

District Youth Exchange members Wayne and Rhonda in Edmonton airport

We have so many people to thank.   In Grande Prairie a complete stranger in the airport with he little daughter and husband  hugged Karly and started crying.   Rotarians were also heroes.  Three of the District Youth Exchange Team met Karly at the Edmonton airport and stayed with her for 3 or 4 hours during her lay over.     Before that many Rotarians from our area and elsewhere stood by with efforts and support.

Karly is doing great.  Yesterday she said she wanted to put efforts towards Japan fundraisers.  I know she will make this a positive where possible.  She is speaking for instance at an Interact (Rotary Club for youth) Charter Evening and Japanese fundraiser April 1 in Peace River.

Karly along with her Mom and Dad are pondering what the next 3 or 4 months holds before she attends grade 12 this fall.  (Youth Exchange years do not count education wise so she will be a year older and far wiser in grade 12 year).  She is thinking some studies,  some work and correspondence.  And, being a 17-year-old no doubt.

We have so many people to thank for their support.  It has changed our lives I know.   The Daily Herald Tribune did 2 stories.  Remo Zaccagna is an amazing writer with tact and care.

DHT March 17 Karly

DHT March 15 Karly

A family in the airport visits with Karly and discusses her ordeal. More tears.

Part of the process of moving forward in life is sharing.  So thank you for allowing us that.

UPDATE:  Rotarians in Brazil offered to take any exchange student that had to leave Japan.  What an offer.  We have accepted and are working on getting Karly to Brazil by end of April.  She will be there till July or August.  In return Rotary Clubs in Grande Prairie offered to host Brazilian exchange students who had to return from Japan.  (There were a couple in Japan from Brazil).  One has accepted and Luiza should be in Grande Prairie by end of April, hosted by Rotary Club of Grande Prairie. Out of bad luck comes good luck.  Thanks to Rotary.

Kevin D. Hilgers and Spouse Janice McNeice
Governor 2012 2013 – Rotary International District 5370 (In Western Canada)
Follow Kev’s Blog  www.kevinhilgers.com

David Johnston, the Governor General of Canada, studied government as a 1963-64 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar at Cambridge University in England, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Read more here.  Governor General of Canada

By Arnold R. Grahl, Rotary International News — 10 January 2011

Rotary clubs interested in taking part in one of four new pilot programs approved recently by the RI Board can now download an application form and related fact sheets.
Continue reading →