District Membership Team Here to Help 

Posted by Sandi Kozak-Chard
Membership: We Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
What happens when Rotarians from across District 7090 get together and simply talk about membership?
A lot of good ideas get shared — and some important questions get asked.
At our August District Membership Zoom, the conversation focused on one of Rotary’s biggest challenges: not simply finding new members, but attracting the right people, welcoming them well, engaging them and giving them reasons to stay.
The discussion ranged from following up with guests and improving new-member onboarding to mentorship, corporate memberships, community partnerships, public image and finding new ways to introduce people to Rotary.
But one question stood out.
Is Your Club Ready for New Members?
We spend a lot of time asking, “How do we find new members?”
Perhaps we need to ask another question first:
“What happens when they arrive?”
Will they be warmly welcomed? Does someone follow up after their first visit? Is there a clear onboarding process? Does someone take the time to learn why they joined, what interests them and what they hope to get from Rotary? Will they quickly find a meaningful way to become involved?
Attracting someone to Rotary is only the beginning.
If five prospective members walked through your door next month, would your club be ready for them?
That question led to a broader conversation about the entire member experience — from a person’s first introduction to Rotary through their first months and years as a member.
Clubs are trying different approaches. We heard about stronger onboarding and mentorship, corporate memberships, connections through Chambers of Commerce, attracting younger professionals, using fundraisers and service projects to meet prospective members, and being more intentional about matching people with opportunities that interest them.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
One of the greatest resources we have in District 7090 is each other.
An idea working in one club may be exactly what another club needs. A challenge your Membership Committee is facing may already have been tackled by another club.
And your District 7090 Membership Team is here to help.
Sandi Kozak-Chard — District Membership Chair
Helping clubs look at the overall membership picture and develop strategies for sustainable growth.
Stephen Blass — Membership Attraction
Helping clubs explore who they want to attract, where to find potential members and new approaches to introducing people to Rotary.
Timothy Straube — Membership Engagement
Helping clubs strengthen the member experience, engagement and retention.
Paul Gibel — New Club Development
Helping clubs explore new club models and different ways of experiencing Rotary when the traditional club model may not fit.
Celine Legret — DEI Chair
Helping clubs consider how diversity, equity and inclusion contribute to creating a welcoming Rotary experience where people feel they belong.
Our team is willing to come to your club, meet with your Membership Committee or Board, help facilitate a conversation, and share ideas and resources.
We aren’t coming with a one-size-fits-all answer. Every club is different. Sometimes an outside perspective — and an open conversation about what’s working, what isn’t and where you want your club to go — can help uncover the next step.
We’ll continue bringing clubs together for membership conversations throughout the Rotary year because growing Rotary isn’t the job of one Membership Chair or one committee.
Is your club ready for new members?
If you’re not sure, perhaps that’s where the conversation should begin.
Invite us to your club. We’re here to help.