Rotarians launch marketing campaign to increase membership

According to District Membership Chair Cecilia Rozumalski, the best way to grow Rotary membership is simple - just tell the Rotary story to the community.

“We have such a great story to tell, “said Rozumalski, who addressed the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary. “We do more good work than anyone else out there,” she said, referring to Rotary’s worldwide support of educational scholarships, community volunteerism and polio eradication. “That’s our biggest selling point. With our 1.2 million members worldwide, we do more than any other organization.”

She also talked about the importance of recruiting young members to pass along the torch of volunteerism. ”We all had reasons why we joined and different reasons why we stayed,” she said. “Younger people may have different needs than we may have had when we joined. In order to attract younger people, we need to be aware of their needs.”

She suggested helping younger members get over the hump financially by assisting with initial dues and meals fees, and by including spouses in Rotary activities. She also suggested developing a mentorship program for new members.

As part of the initiative to attract new members, District Public Relations Chair Roxane E.A. Ferguson outlined the ad campaign she developed. Using a $20,000 grant, she developed a series of billboard and radio spots featuring local Rotarians asking: “Why did I join the Rotary and why I stayed.” The campaign’s answer is, “I joined for business and fellowship. I stayed to change the world.”