Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that we are halfway through the Rotary Year! It has been a fun and motivating year already. We had a successful Club Experience Summit in October, a great Foundation Gala in November and a well-attended kickoff to our District Disaster Response Committee in the beginning of 2025. The response of those interested in being part of that committee has been wonderful! As of January 10, I have visited 40 of our 48 clubs with six of the remainder scheduled! I hope to participate in many service projects with you during the remainder of the year - keep me in the loop on your upcoming service opportunities!
Coming up we have Grant Management Seminars in February and March, the 4 Way Test Speech Contest on April 12, and the District Conference on April 25 and 26.
We have added 80 members since July 1. Unfortunately we have lost 99 members in the same time period. While we must continue to attract people who have our hearts and hands for service and high ethics, it is just as important that we retain our members. Over the last five years, just 34% of those leaving cited business, relocation or family reasons. 51% have been for personal or miscellaneous reasons. I firmly believe that a large number of that 51% are members whose expectations for service or fellowship were not met. As I have asked in my visits, please assign an experienced member to be a "host" for new members to share Rotary knowledge and introduce them to members. Also - find out what new members want from Rotary and meet those expectations if you can. If you notice a Rotarian is not attending meetings or otherwise involved like they have been in the past, give them a call. Begin the conversation by asking how they, their family, their business and pets are and eventually tell them you miss them at Rotary and can you help to get them re-engaged.
I look forward to hearing how you are using the learnings from the Club Experience Summit and look forward to hearing about your successes! If I can help you understand my notes from the Summit, please do not hesitate to email, text or call me. Growing our organization is my passion, and I want to help you!
Dale Smith
District Governor 2024/2025
Rotary International District 6630
Past-President
Rotary Club of Mentor
The Magic of Rotary
District Governor 2024/2025
Rotary International District 6630
Past-President
Rotary Club of Mentor
The Magic of Rotary
330-968-7683 (m)