On Wednesday, our small Membership and Marketing Committee (Bill, Geoff, Helen, Yvonne, Greg - Vocational Director, Philip - apology), gathered at my place to discuss some items that would re-ignite some action items designed to promote and advertise our club to get more members to join.
The night started off with the question, "what makes someone want to join Rotary?" and the discussion was heated as it was generally agreed that the answer to this question had changed over the years. There was also some questions around "what do we do?" "how do we explain what we do to others?" and, "is this enough to make people want to join?" Effectively, it came down to having a unique service proposition and the words that we agreed on was that we provide a service to the local, national and international community through friendships and networks. But is this enough? Does this provide enough information for someone to join?
The main item of discussion was that our target audience may need to be concentrated around the main industry focus of the City of Kingston manufacturing and trades. This target audience makes up about 51% of the manufacturing business in Melbourne. We discussed the idea of holding a 'Business Month' in November targetted with guest speakers talking about relevant and critical topics related to the interests and business needs of these industries and inviting them along to our Rotary meetings. In that event, we will also have guest Rotarians who are in that business explain the personal and business benefits of being in Rotary. These events are to be run a few times a year and open to all in an effort to promote Rotary into our community.
It was discussed that one of our meetings be replaced with volunteering at a local charity as the way to best advertise ourselves is to 'get out there'. We will approach the Volunteer Resource Centre at City of Glen Eira and already, I have also talked with the Community Service Director at the City of Kingston to get a list of potential hands-on charity projects that need our support for a couple of hours once a month or bi-monthly.
Another idea was to split the club members in groups and ask them to attend another Rotary club in the district on any day of the week. This would be for socialising but also supporting other clubs and then reporting back to the group about their learning and other ideas we could use at our own club. I'd love to have this happening so I'm the first to put up my hand for this one - who wants to come with me to one of the other clubs??!! I've got some ideas of clubs I'd like to visit - this should be fun!
Other items of discussion were placing the Rotary billboards at various places around the community so that the public can get the information and the 1800 number to Rotary; as well as getting approval from the South Oakleigh Club to promote that Rotary meets at their venue through putting up signage at the venue - much like what many of the American Rotary clubs have.
Other items for discussion were reduced membership rates for the first year for new Rotarians joining our club.
Overall, a very effective meeting with definite action points that have already been set in motion by the committee members. I would strongly urge the committee directors to use every opportunity to meet and re-inspire their team with some ideas of what their portfolio can get involved in. We are a small club but there's so much we can do - but let's make it fun so we can involve everyone in our extended Rotary family too.
Next Meeting to Organise Business Month will be Wednesday 7th September 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Helen's.
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