Your Personal Commitment To Your Club Your Membership Pledge

1. Your Personal Commitment To Your ClubYour Membership Pledge • Your club needs members to do work in the community and the world. The club needs quality members to attract more quality members. Your club needs you! Please commit to helping with the following commitment

2. You Commit • I commit to the following to help my club achieve an increase in club members through retention of existing members and qualifying outstanding community leaders to propose to membership.

3. The Elevator Statement • Have an elevator statement (very short version as to what Rotary has meant to you and what Rotary is). Practice it and be prepared to share it.

4. Bring a guest! • Once per quarter aim to bring a guest.

5. Follow Up • Following up with the members (alphabetically 3 above and 3 below my last name) if they have missed a few meetings. Just to check on them and let them know they were missed. This helps your club find those who are having difficulties and may need your help.

6. Sit With The New Member • Make it a point to sit with and orient a new member to your positive view of the club. Never let a new member sit alone.

7. Show Your Willingness to Help • Let your membership team know that you are willing to help--orientation, introductions, mentoring, classification survey, visiting key community leaders to qualify for membership, giving a brief talk to the club on why you are a member, leading an education session on what the club has done in the community through the years, work on PR which includes getting publicity for speakers and members, and whatever you can to help the club with membership.

8. One Hour Per Quarter • Commit to at least one hour devoted to club membership once a quarter. Wear your Rotary pin all days to encourage others to ask, “what is that?” Get serious about membership for your club • The Ignite Pin signifies you have brought a new member into your club and retained that member.

9. Sign Please • Please sign the pledge and keep it with you as a reminder of your commitment to your club’s membership goals. It takes each of us working together to make it happen.

10. Why Join Rotary • 20 Answers to the Question

11. 1. Friendship • In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. This is one of the two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.

12. 2. Business Development • The second original reason for Rotary’s beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consist of a cross section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other.

13. 3. Personal Growth and Development • Membership in Rotary continues one’s growth and education in human relations and personal development

14. 4. Leadership Development • Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership is learning how to motivate, influence, and lead leaders.

15. Citizenship in the Community • Rotarians are among the most active citizens in a community

16. Continuing Education • Weekly programs held at meetings inform Rotarians about timely topics

17. Fun • Rotary is fun, a lot of fun

18. Public Speaking Skills • Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communication and opportunities to practice and perfect these skills

19. Citizenship in the World • Every Rotarian wears a pin that says “Rotary International.” There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club, 34,216 clubs in 350 nations and geographical regions.

20. Assistance when Traveling • Rotarians in need of a doctor, lawyer, hotel, dentist, advice while traveling often find assistance through Rotary

21. Entertainment • Every Rotary club and district has parties and activities that provide diversion in one’s business life. Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies and institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education and service.

22. The Development of Social Skills • Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops one’s personality, social skills, and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people.

23. Family Programs • Rotary provides on of the world’s largest youth exchange programs; high school and college clubs for future Rotarians, opportunities for spouse involvement and a host of activities designed to help family members in growth and the development of family values.

24. Vocational Skills • Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth and development of his or her own profession or vocation, to serve on committees and to teach youth about one’s job or vocation. Rotary helps to make one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.

25. The Development of Ethics • Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test that governs their ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships.

26. Cultural Awareness • Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, color and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. Rotarians become aware of their cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere.

27. Prestige • Rotary members are prominent people who are leaders of business, professions, art, government, sports, military, religion and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world..

28. Nice People • Rotarians above all are nice people – the nicest people on the face of the earth. They are important people who follow the policy of it is nice to be important but it is important to be nice.

29. The Absence of an “Official Creed” • Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meeting or rituals. It is an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping others.

30. The Opportunity to Serve • Rotary is a service club. Its business is mankind. Its product is service. Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else; to sense the self-fulfillment that comes in the process; and the return of that satisfaction to one’s own life. It is richly rewarding.

31. Engagement Ideas for Members from RLI Handbook • Keep your membership engaged through the use of exciting ideas such as: • Pair bonding – Place newer members on a Newer Member Classification Committee that reviews all club classifications and pairs newer members with experienced members. Pairs sit together during designated meetings at least monthly. Pairs could even become speaking teams together leading from the podium on club history, club projects, favorite make up meetings.

32. Web-Connected • Post the name of every Rotarian in the club on the club’s website with their business name linked to their individual or company website (voluntary and with permission). Rotarians can mention their Rotary affiliation on their individual or company website and link back to their club website

33. Party Time • Organize clubs to meet once a month at a non-Rotary place and time for a “meet and greet” social and networking session. Clubs may sponsor the costs or it may be arranged “pay as you go” for Rotarians with a very low cost. Mingling may be encouraged by use of varied passports or stations or use of other mixing strategies.

34. “Flash Mob” Project • Charge newer member committee with organizing and conducting a single or multi-club “hands-on” community service project, maximum duration 2 hours. Document with video or photos. Present report at regular club meeting.

35. How Do You Interact • Start a Interact club at a school with the younger age now allowed (12 and up), in Middle School. Newer members lead the effort, work with the school sponsor, attend meetings and serve as Rotarian sponsor for the club.

36. A Minute in the Life • Newer members are scheduled for one-per-week, one minute club meeting podium summary of a job or career related service or product they offer, idea or opportunity in a one page written format. Talks stay on script, no “ad libbing”. Collect and post summary in the weekly club program or on the club website with a link or reference to their business.