Welcoming members when you cannot meet in person

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to support the Rotary Clubs of District 5630 in their efforts to engage and onboard new members. Many clubs have recently welcomed members to their club and some have potential members signing on during virtual meetings. But, how can you engage new or future members when you can’t meet them? Use this guide to adapt your practices. Have a great strategy that’s working for you? Send your ideas to District Membership C0-Chairs Jerry Milner or Lorena Beckius so it may be shared with others.

Adjust

❏ Review your new member or orientation guide with a critical eye to determine which sections are relevant while you’re not meeting in person.

❏ Follow the 2:1 rule. For every 2 “official” points you share, be sure to include at least one “unofficial” point. This will help the new member learn how Rotary works, but also learn how your club works. For example:

❏ During a phone call with the new member, review dues payment procedures and your club portal. Those are “official” points, so also include your favorite service projects or your favorite fellowship event.

Educate

❏ Ask a longer-term member to “onboard” the newer member to provide an informal look at your Rotary Club.

❏ Make sure the new member knows how to login to My Rotary.

❏ Encourage the new member to check out the Learning & Reference Center on My Rotary.

❏ Share your favorite Rotary Foundation video with the new member.

Connect

❏ Appoint longer-term members to host “virtual coffee clubs” which include at least one newer member.

❏ Encourage committee chairs who are hosting committee meetings via phone or the web to personally invite a new member to join their meetings.

❏ Introduce and personally welcome the new member during a virtual meeting.

❏ Host a “pre-meeting” and ask club leaders to sign on to virtual meetings 15 minutes early to welcome the new members in a smaller virtual group setting, before the larger meeting begins.

Engage

❏ Ask the new member to assist with an existing service project and highlight their contribution to social media. Examples include:

❏ Inform the new member about your favorite club project and ask them to make a commitment to participate the next time, and maybe get a contribution to get their initial “buy-in” now

❏ Let the new member inspire your club. Ask them to educate the club about their favorite charity and encourage members to support their featured organization.

❏ Tag the new member in comments on your club’s social media posts to encourage them to engage online. For example:

❏ Comment under a “Virtual Happy Buck” post that you are happy the new member joined.

❏ Listen to the new member about their areas of expertise and interests. Make intentional and authentic introductions to others within your club so that new members can make an impact.

Saturday, April 26

District Governor Elect Sarah Cathcart (Kearney Noon) began the morning activities with a powerful flag ceremony with our guests and RYE students parading their respective flag. Representing 11 nations were; Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Japan, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, Nebraska, The United States of America and of course the flag that unites all of us, Rotary International. The US colors were presented by the VFW Color Guard Commander Gary Bush followed by the pledge of Allegiance and the national Anthem’s of Equador and United States.

District RYE Coordinator, Paula Witt (Hastings Sunrise) presented “Passport to Possibilities” to the two outbound RYE Students (25-26) with a gift for their upcoming exchange. Owen Phelps (Hastings) will be traveling to Brazil, while Mac Whitehead (McCook) will be traveling to Japan. Following we heard from the current inbound students themselves as Paula interviewed each of them about their exchange year in Nebraska.

Visiting DG Shawna Secker D-5390 (Montana) presented the “Exchange Effect: Changing Lives, One Journey at a Time” An inspirational story of how RYE is transforming lives across the globe, one student at a time.

Saturday Presentations

The Exchange Effect: Changing Lives, One Journey at a Time DG Shawna Secker, D-5390

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Rotary’s Secret Sauce: Attracting & Keeping Members, PDG Deb McCaslin, DMCE Toshia Jones

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Unlocking Growth: Transforming Rotary Membership in India, PAG Neeraj Bhatnagar, D-3011

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Branding Rotary: Making a Lasting Impact, DG Whitney Smith, D-5470

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Up next PDG Deb McCaslin (Broken Bow Area) and incoming District Membership Chair Toshia Jones (Cheyenne County) presented “Rotary’s Secret Sauce: Attracting & Keeping Members“, sharing fresh ideas and proven strategies to help grow and strengthen clubs.

Visiting Rotarian Neeraj Bhatnagar, PAG District 3011 (Dehli, India) presented his first of two presentations, “Unlocking Growth: Transforming Rotary Membership in India.” PAG Neeraj demonstrated how innovative strategies are driving incredible membership and engagement across one of Rotary’s most dynamic regions.

Visiting DG Whitney Smith D-5470 (Southern Colorado) presented “Branding Rotary: Making a Lasting Impact” teaching how to harness the power of storytelling, social media and visual identity to effectively share Rotary’s mission and amplify its impact in your community.

Luncheon Keynote

Davanne Moul; Sr. Sales Director Mary Kay, delivered a powerful message of how passion, planning and perseverance has lifted her to tower above others. Ms. Moul intertwined messages of hope with her stories of growing up on a ranch in Aladdin WY. Ms Moul described how she has lived a life of service to others and how that has empowered her to become a top sales leader for Mary Kay nationally for many years. Her message most certainly encouraged all to pursue their dreams.

Pride Points: 60 Years of Inspiration, Innovation & Impact, Davanne Moul Mary Kay

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Rotary’s Blueprint for Global Impact: The 7 Areas of Focus, PAG Neeraj Bhatnagar, D-3011

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How it Began... PDG Pedro Zanini & Elba Bernat D-4945

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Global Grants: Turning Vision into Action, PDG Dale Schultz

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CRMC Clinic: Honoring Life through Service, Dr. Kim Baxter

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PRIP TRF Trustee Chair-Elect Mark Daniel Maloney Bio

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PRIP TRF Trustee Chair-Elect Mark Daniel Maloney [Speech w/ cues]

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PRIP TRF Trustee Chair-Elect Mark Maloney

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PAG Neeraj returned to the stage to present “Rotary’s Blueprint for Global Impact: The 7 Areas of Focus“, a message of how one person with a single focus can drive meaningful change in communities around the world.

PDG Bob Mayber, DRFC (North Platte Noon) shared “The Heart of Rotary: Transforming Lives Through Giving.” Bob shared a hopeful message of how the simple act of giving can be a force multiplier in Rotary’s mission and provide immeasurable impact on the lives of people whom he thought he would never meet.

PDG Pedro Zanini D-4945 (Argentina) and his wife Elba Bernat presented “This is How it Began“, sharing how a chance meeting of two DG classmates PDG Pedro and PDG Don Peterson (Kearney Dawn) on ZOOM and later in Person in Atlanta, GA would lead to a lasting friendship, and a “Ripple-Effect” of many wonderful projects.

PDG Dale Schultz (Hastings Sunrise) walked everyone through four individual Global Grant projects between D-4945 and D-5630 totaling more than $140,000. Sharing how Rotary has made a lasting impact through the power of collaboration.

Dr. Kim Baxter (North Platte) presented “CRMC Clinic: Honoring Life through Service” A global grant in Kenya. Dr. Baxter shared the incredible work being done to improve healthcare and make a lasting impact in Kenya through this vision to honor his son, Craig Baxter.

Past President Mike McQuillan (Ogallala) served as the emcee for the Dinner and District Celebration. The event was held at the historic Haythorn Ranch Arthur, NE recognizing the efforts of everyone across the district. The Haythorn Family was so gracious hosting and providing a world class Nebraska beef dinner.

Our most honored guests were Past Rotary International President, Mark Daniel Maloney and his lovely wife Gay. It was very special to have PRIP Maloney attend our District Conference because the PRIP is only allowed ONE official appointment from the current RI President each year. Having Lorena’s PRIP from her year as President of the Ogallala Rotary club accept her invitation was truly an honor.

Mark delivered an inspirational message with a little humor tossed in for good measure. “Marks Magical Markers” should be something that every Rotarian should strive to achieve. Download the speech and use the cues to view the Powerpoint and follow along with his message. Mark’s Bio is also provided on the right.

District Awards

Club of the Year (Small)

Arnold

Club of the Year (Medium)

Kearney Dawn

Club of the Year (Large)

Holdrege

Rotarian of the Year

PDG Deb McCaslin