BRINGING OUR ACTION PLAN TO LIFE
LESSONS FROM THE 2023 NORTH AMERICA GROWING CLUB STUDY.
Doug Logan, Zone 28 Rotary Coordinator
Herb Klotz, Zone 32 Rotary Coordinator
ATTRIBUTES OF GROWING CLUBS (2022 Study)
Active, intentional member engagement
Dynamic, meaningful service
Effective governance (intentional leadership)
Strong public image (well known in community)
Diversity (representative of community)
SURVEY (2023)
ROTARY CLUBS IN USA, CANADA & CARIBBEAN
(Zones 25B-34)
~350 clubs that showed consistent growth between 2018-2023
Top 4% to 5% of ~8,200 clubs
121 responded (35%)
SURVEY CRITERIA
Club Sizes Surveyed
Survey Overview
Included 10 action statements linked to Action Plan priorities.
Plus, two open-ended questions focused on top reasons for growth in their club.
Example: Increase Our Impact
We set club goals (membership, foundation, service, etc.), track our progress and adjust our actions according to how well we’re doing.
(Check One: Never(1), Rarely(2), Sometimes(3), Often(4), Always(5))
AVERAGE RESULTS BY ACTION PLAN PRIORITY
Increase our Impact 3.8
Expand our Reach 4.2
Enhance Participant Engagement 4.3
Increase our Ability to Adapt 4.2
Never (1), Rarely (2), Sometimes (3), Often (4), Always (5)
INCREASE OUR IMPACT
ACTION PLAN PRIORITY 1:
INCREASE OUR IMPACT (AVERAGE RATING)
We have strong governance and leadership continuity. 4.3
We actively partner with other organizations. 4.2
We set club goals and track our progress 4.0
We periodically conduct a community assessment. 2.8
2X more likely to earn the Rotary Citation.
INCREASE OUR IMPACT
20% - 50% more likely to fill key leadership positions.
40+% more likely to set goals in club central.
20% - 2.5X more likely to achieve action plan focused goals in club central.
35+% more likely to participate in global grants.
Growing clubs are:
“Partnerships with other organizations is a multiplier effect on our club.”
INCREASE OUR IMPACT
“We are seen as a means of improving the community.”
“Our members are an innovative bunch.”
“We are intentional about growth.”
“Deep leadership bench and a supportive culture.”
HOW WILL WE INCREASE OUR IMPACT?
Set realistic goals and track progress.
Strengthen club leadership & governance, especially succession planning.
Focus on our community (local and/or international).
Assess community needs and build meaningful partnerships.
EXPAND OUR REACH
ACTION PLAN PRIORITY 2:
EXPAND OUR REACH (AVERAGE RATING)
We use multiple media to tell our story. 4.3
We actively partner with other organizations. 4.2
We strive to ensure our members reflect our community. 4.0
EXPAND OUR REACH
Growing clubs
All N.Am. clubs
Average attraction
25%/year
12%/year
EXPAND OUR REACH
“People come to our meetings to become a part of the positive force in our community.”
“…a media committee who turned up the volume of all our Club is doing in the community.”
“Being seen in the community & partnerships with other groups: local college & university, police...”
“Outreach to the community. Our members actively invite people to club.”
HOW WILL WE EXPAND OUR REACH?
Use multiple forms of media to tell our story.
Engage the whole club in attracting new members.
Invite others to our meetings and service projects.
Ensure membership reflects our community.
ENHANCE PARTICIPANT �ENGAGEMENT
ACTION PLAN PRIORITY 3:
ENHANCE PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT
(AVERAGE RATING)
We celebrate our successes and have fun together. 4.6
Members and others are keen to participate. 4.1
We seek out and support member’s priorities. 4.1
ENHANCE PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT
On average, no discernable difference between growing and all other clubs.
All N.Am. clubs
Average attrition
~15%/year
ENHANCE PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT
“We make doing the work fun.”
“An active vibrant club with multiple projects and ways to get involved.”
“Keep members engaged and make sure there's a ‘What's in it for them’ component.”
“…and always we look to care for everyone in the club.”
HOW WILL WE ENHANCE PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT?
Ensure a welcoming and ‘fun’ club culture.
Find new ways for people to be involved.
Make member ‘care’ a top priority.
Consider the cost of participation.
Respond to members’ interests and priorities.
INCREASE OUR ABILITY
TO ADAPT
ACTION PLAN PRIORITY 4:
INCREASE OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT (AVERAGE RATING)
We are open to new ideas & willing to try new things. 4.3
We have strong governance and leadership continuity. 4.3
We seek and support member’s priorities. 4.1
We strive to ensure our members reflect our community. 4.0
Averages for all USA, Canada, Caribbean clubs: Female - 36%, Under 40 - 7%
INCREASE OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT
Growing Clubs have
More Female Members (40%)
More Members Under 40 (~10%)
New Growing Clubs (<5 years old) have
More Female Members (46%)
More Members Under 40 (~17%)
INCREASE OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT
“We have a culture of inclusivity in our club.”
“Open to new ideas. Engagement.”
“Low dues, only meet 2x a month for business meetings, one social, one service per month.”
“Club members better reflect our community.”
“We never stop looking for ways to improve.”
“Changed the model.”
HOW WILL WE INCREASE OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT?
Ensure our club reflects our community.
Use our new members’ innovative ideas.
Try new approaches to meetings, service projects, fun events, etc.
Start a satellite or Impact, Rotaract, Passport club!
TWO LESSONS
LESSON 1
Growing clubs’ attraction rates are 10% higher than their attrition rates because they focus on creating an irresistible experience.
Retention is an outcome, not a target.
LESSON 2
The Action Plan is our guide to creating experiences people don’t want to miss, that draw others in, and to being proud and loud in telling our story.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
PDG Mike Chaffee, Spreadsheet Guru
Diana Edwards, Supervisor, Regional Membership Officer
Zone 28 & 32 Analytics and Enhanced Learning Teams
North America Rotary Coordinators
THANK YOU!