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‘GROW YOUR MEMBERSHIP’

Adapted from an article by Haris Sofradzija, RI Regional Membership Officer, Zones 30/31,

Heartbeat Newsletter, March 2109

… things you can do now to create a good foundation for growth this year, including:

Use the State of Membership PowerPoint presentation at district conferences to raise awareness of
membership data and trends and create an opportunity for attendees to discuss ways their clubs can be flexible and
innovative to spur growth.
Encourage clubs’ incoming boards to take the Rotary Club Health Check and work on strategies to improve
membership and club operations so they can hit the ground running on July 1st.
2019 is the 30th anniversary of the COL decision to welcome women into Rotary. Organize a district or multidistrict
event celebrating the impact women have made in Rotary and promoting ways to increase their presence.

Remind clubs to use the Program Participants and Alumni Report to find former Rotaractors, Youth Exchange
students, Ambassadorial Scholars, GSE team members, and other past program participants and alumni living in,
hosted by, or sponsored by the district. Encourage clubs to invite this group who know and value Rotary to meetings
and service projects and consider them for membership.
Make sure the district membership chair has a membership committee supporting their efforts. Committee
members can come from: experienced and knowledgeable AGs; club leaders who’ve increased membership; and
participants in your zones’ membership initiative. They’ll bring different kinds of expertise to the committee, share
the workload, allow the committee to be more effective, and create a pool of future membership leaders.
Growing membership isn’t about numbers but about creating strong, vibrant clubs that can do even more good in
the world. It’s also about giving others the opportunity to impact their communities and transform themselves
through Rotary.

‘ROTARY FUNDRAISER DINNER AT HIGH SCHOOL’

Students of Wingham High School hosted the annual fundraiser of the local Rotary club which takes care of the
operation cost of their school bus.

Article from May 2019 Rotary News, Source: Wingham Chronicle
For nine years, students at Wingham High School have been hosting an annual dinner for the Wingham Rotary Club
(D9650) at the high school.
The evening is designed to raise money for the ongoing running costs of the school bus, owned by the school and
used for the students travelling for curriculum and sporting occasions.
On April 9 this year, 110 people attended the dinner,
with teacher Clair Twaddle and nine of her hospitality
students designing and catering the three-course meal.

Other students assisted in serving the meal and
providing musical entertainment.
“They did a great job,” Wingham Rotary Club member
Ron Hindmarsh said. “Students sang and played whilst
we all enjoyed our meal, and the background music set
the mood for a good evening.”
Wingham Rotary President John Dorrington
welcomed all and thanked Wingham High School
principal Paul Ivers for hosting the Club for the Wingham Rotary Club congratulating the Wingham
fundraiser. High School students who catered the meal.
The guest speaker was Jillian Oliver, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to losing her arm
through a police operation car accident. She spoke about her life and injuries, ending with what art has done to
help in her recovery. She then talked about art classes she is holding with Ron Hindmarsh to help local sufferers of
PTSD.
Three raffle draws were held with prizes donated by Wingham businesses. A number of business people attended
the dinner, contributing to a successful night.

“Rotary sends a big thank you to all businesses who participated in the fundraiser,” Ron said. The night raised $3,130
towards the bus. “This is the highest amount raised since this fundraising commenced nine years ago,” Ron said and
“Rotary is looking forward to next year’s High School Dinner.”

Rotary on the Move June 2019 Page 5