Gene Hernandez’s topic for this week’s program was “How to Improve Membership and Retention in Your Rotary Club.” Gene is Past President of both the Orange North and Chino Rotary Clubs as well as being 2008-09 District Governor. He was Chief of Police for the City of Chino and currently is Mayor of Yorba Linda.
Rotary membership has been in a steady decline in the past few years. According to Gene we must work as individual clubs to increase membership. We need to ask our selves these questions:
1. Is our club attractive?
2. Is our club relevant?
3. Is our club engaging?
If we find that we lack in certain areas we must study to see what we can to improve.
Social Media is a very important tool for communication and a way to attract new members. Are we using Facebook and our web site to their fullest potential? Does our web site appeal to prospective members? Does it show what we do and who we are?
Gene asked lots of questions for us to consider. Does our club have strong camaraderie and fun? Are we engaging and outreaching to everyone? Do we offer networking opportunities especially for younger members?
How we do we attract new members? First find out about the prospective member, his job, his goals and what his or her interests are. After you find out what appears to interest the candidate, you can tailor your approach to show what Rotary can do for him or her. When asked what Rotary is, Gene suggest everyone memorize this answer, “Rotary is a leadership organization made up of local business, professional and civic leaders. We meet frequently, get to know each other, form friendships and through that are able to get things done in the community.”
Gene left us with these four reasons why you come to Rotary and why you stay.
1. Local impact.
2. Friends and contacts.
3. Vocation.
4. Leaders to work with.