District Communications and Membership


Phillip Beggs Thanks for Life


The TfL team are delighted to confirm that their application for a PR Grant from RI has been successful. This has enabled them to produce a General TfL Leaflet and a 2 min TfL promotional DVD. TfL is truly a ʻcompleteʼ Rotary project


through community engagement; clubs will be able to create opportunities to attract new members into Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary. Moreover, each event or activity should attract some great publicity, raising the profile of our Rotary work.


Clubs should now be deciding how they are going to maximise the return from this yearʼs Focus‑on‑the‑Crocus initiative. When the flowers bloom in February there will be a multitude of opportunities to reconnect with schools and community groups that helped plant the bulbs. Fundraising drives will take place across Ireland and, to ensure that Clubs have all the resources that they need, Stickers, Wristbands, Polo Shirts, Tin Wrappers, Posters, Leaflets, Pull‑ups, Flower Bed signs etc are all available via www.thanks‑for‑life.org.


Windows of Opportunity


There are many vacant shop premises in towns across Ireland, now is a great time to identify locations for Thanks for Life week. Many clubs made excellent use of this idea in TfL week last year and used empty shop windows to showcase Rotaryʼs work for Polio Eradication. They also provide a wonderful opportunity to interact with shoppers and to talk to them about the exciting opportunities that joining their local Rotary club could bring.


District Database


The District Database is now available for club updates for the Rotary year 2011/2012, please make sure that you update your Club Officers (as elected at your club Special General Meeting) as soon as possible www.district1160.org/login.php Please also make sure your member details are up‑to‑date.


ShelterBox cost increase


The cost of a ShelterBox had increased to £590, the first increase since the start of the project in 2000. Announcing this increase ShelterBox said: “At the start of October, we announced a new figure for fundraisers who wish to sponsor their own ShelterBox. This new suggested figure allows us to continue our work delivering the highest quality equipment to those who need it most, responding to current and future disasters, with speed, competency, and compassion.


By donating £590, fundraisers are sponsoring more than just a ShelterBox. £590 means we will be able to pre‑position more stock around the world allowing us to respond faster and even more efficiently to disasters. All donors will continue to receive a unique box number allowing them to find their sponsored ShelterBox through our website.


Since day one, we have been about doing the most for the most and providing shelter, warmth, and dignity to people around the world in their hour of need. We have always believed that no corners should be cut when it comes to the business of saving lives. When families are caught up in disasters, they need the very best survival equipment that money could buy. All donations, whatever the amount, are invaluable to us in achieving this goal”.


RIBI Dublin Conference 15‑17 April 2011


Have you registered for the RIBI Dublin Conference 15‑17 April 2011? If not you can do so on the RIBI websitewww.ribi.org and if you havenʼt already done so, please take just 5 minutes to complete the Conference online survey form too. www.ribi.org/surveys ‑ Thank you.


Membership Marketing campaigns – excellent progress


Garth Arnold writes: “We are very pleased with the outputs from the membership marketing campaign. We have had excellent feedback on the quality and professionalism of the radio & press adverts.


Whilst it is early days with our campaign, 4


The Rotary Club of Belfast raised more than £20,000 for local charities, with our "Tree of Hope at Tesco stores in Belfast.


Garth Arnold


we have had nearly 40 web enquiries and clubs are in ongoing contact with them. Remember this is a primarily a Marketing Exercise and should not be regarded as “opening the doors” for all to join Rotary. The campaign is designed to create awareness of Rotary in the community; the rest is up individual clubs, who must exercise a thorough selection procedure. Of the clubs, we have been able to make contact with (circa 30%); we have 45 potential new Rotarianʼs through “club efforts”. We have been encouraged by the support and engagement through various club events. Many of you have requested additional membership recruitment leaflets and posters and purchased membership banners / pull‑ups. The membership recruitment campaign has helped endorse what you are all doing locally and has provided an excellent buzz and focus to help us address our membership decline. It is extremely important we continue to work on this as we move into 2011.


Retention is the Key


Clubs must work hard to ensure we do not lose members, something we all can work on. Look at your weekly attendances; are there Rotarianʼs who are not regularly attending. Has someone been in contact? Do not leave it too late until either you receive a letter of resignation or they stop attending altogether! We have to work so much harder to get new Rotarians; across RIBI, we recruited 4475 new Rotarianʼs last year, but overall we lost 4735. If you need any assistance or want to learn more about retention, please email Frank Arnold f.arnold@btconnect.com. So far, the 2010/11 the RIBI campaign has run in four districts, over 200 enquiries have been generated (more than half going directly to the clubs). Participating clubs in the remaining 18 districts are busy preparing their plans at present. The advertising supports the main ingredients of the campaign, which are clubsʼ own activities designed to generate enquiries. Looking beyond the numbers, there is no doubt that the RIBI campaign, the availability of tool kit materials and the membership seminars we ran in Belfast & Dublin to launch our campaign were extremely well received and attendance was very high. Groups of clubs are working together with structured plans to generate interest locally and to recruit. Many Rotarians have been encouraged to recruit in the past but have not felt able to do it. The campaigns provide support, focus, and encouragement.


E‑clubs


Following e‑club pilots worldwide, all Districts now have the opportunity to start two ʻE‑clubʼ clubs. Is this is something we could explore in District 1160? There is no doubt that new clubs will continue to play an important part in increasing our membership base. New Club formation is on a real roll, the clubs and their membership are our future with their energy, vision, and enthusiasm. They all need to be encouraged and supported by our local established clubs.


Finally


Please consider adding a statement, such as the one below, to all the documentation your club produces should it be press releases, leaflets, posters, letters, etc.


“Rotary International in Ireland is currently undertaking a membership/ recruitment campaign and is looking for women and men of all ages to join their local clubs and make a World of Difference to their local community and across the world. For more information, visit www.rotary.ie or make direct contact with the Rotary Club of Your Town email your contact@yourclub”.


Stop Press!


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