53 Posts With Tips and Ideas for Increasing Membership and Growing Your Rotary Club

In 2014 Past District Governor (5360) Pat Killoran asked me to help generate media attention around Alberta Rotarians triggering a 2.1 million dollar donation to Polio Plus. 

Click for Pat's NEWSTALK 770 interview.  

Click for Lethbridge Herald Story from CNW

Through the 2-month process of developing the media event, a conversation started about writing a monthly column in the District 5360 Newsletter about branding and marketing Rotary Clubs. That was followed by a "DUH" moment when we realized it was a natural evolution to publish a blog. That is how Buildling the Rotary Brand came into being. 

Within this site you will find 53 posts packed full of ideas to help grow local clubs. I have created an index that lists the titles and links to the various posts. I have grouped them by theme which means some recent posts are grouped with  

Creating a Sponsorship Recognition Package Can Work Both Ways (Part 2)

Rotary Park overlooks this dynamic city scape
in Calgary, Alberta

 Written by Robyn T. Braley

Creating a recognition strategy for sponsorship may require creativity and imagination. Or, it can be simple and straightforward. 

Each sponsorship is unique because each sponsor has different reasons for becoming a sponsor. In Part I, Unleash the Power of Sponsorship for Your Service Club, I gave examples of the varied motives that drove different organizations to use sponsorship to achieve public relations, advertising philanthropic or other goals.

Sponsorship can be used by Rotary Clubs in two different ways. First, your club may be the major funder of a project or event. You may be the title, or name sponsor, or a cosponsor. 

Or, your club may be developing a project or event that needs funding partners to help make it possible. You will need to provide recognition options to acknowledge their participation. 

Why Sponsors Sponsor 

My friend and colleague, Brent Barootes, is a sponsorship specialist. He makes the point that there is no one way to build a sponsorship acknowledgement and recognition program. He can list 30+ reasons why sponsors sponsor.

Your Service Club can Unleash the Power of Sponsorship (Part I)

Written by Robyn T. Braley

There are two reasons why you need to understand basic sponsorship theory. Either you are a sponsor who is funding a project or you have a project you are trying to fund through attracting sponsors.

Rotary and other service clubs can find themselves in either position. Your club may have started a project and are seeking collaborative partners to help fund it. It might be a children’s festival, community park or an educational, health or other project.

On the other side, you may be making a sizable donation to a community project. With the gift, you have asked for an acknowledgement package that will raise awareness and draw attention to the service work you do.

Brand Synergy

Before digging too deeply into sponsorship function or structure there are two basic questions that must be asked.

1. Is there brand synergy between your company and the cause or event your are about to support?
2. What could go wrong with your relationship and what would the consequences be? 

The Big Question

Does sponsorship work? That's a  good question.

My friend, colleague and fellow Rotarian Brent Barootes has built a consulting business valuating and helping organizations, including Rotary clubs, to structure sponsorships.

Does Networking Scare You? Tips for Networking and Making Rotary Part of the Conversation

Written by Robyn T. Braley

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m a habitual networker. I just can’t stop. I network everywhere I go. 

I found a new client through a conversation we had at a reception following a funeral. I didn't go to the funeral for that purpose, but I was ready when the opportunity arose. 

As Rotarians, we are known for doing amazing things in the community. We are also famous for not tooting own horns! 

The advent of social media has placed new emphasis on telling stories. Rotary certainly has stories! Rotarians ...

• Save lives
• Improve lives
• Enrich lives
• Change lives 

In previous posts, I've provided tips about how to tell your stories through traditional and social media.

Twelve Posts to Help Build Your Club's Social Media Community

Nine Posts to Help Your Club Attract Media Attention

Build Your Rotary Club Through Building Healthy Relationships

Relationship building activities don't have to be hard or expensive.

Written by Robyn T. Braley

It goes without saying that you can only do the same old thing in the same old way expecting a different result for so long. In the end, the strategy will only lead to chronic disappointment.

If your club is losing members, it is time to think differently. Previous Building the Rotary Brand (BTRB) posts have put forward ideas for improving programs, club branding, or raising the profile of your club in your community through mainstream or social media.

Member engagement and club growth are the ultimate goals. But, if your club does not offer relevant, vibrant programs, service projects and social activities that motivate members to remain members, all other strategies for growth are destined for failure.

10 Guerrilla Strategies for Rotary Club Growth

Guerrilla marketing is more than just monkeying around! 

Written by Robyn T. Braley

When you think about it, guerrilla strategies that support sales and marketing efforts of service clubs make a lot of sense. They are free or very inexpensive.

To be clear, sales and marketing are not words often used to describe the process of prospecting new members, negotiating project or event sponsors, forming collaborative relationships or soliciting matching grants. However, each activity involves some aspect of sales and marketing.

Marketing involves sifting through a world of creative ideas and message delivery methods in order to put your brand in front of potential customers. It is the process of engaging and motivating them to want to know more about your product or service.

Sales is the process of … well … closing the loop and making the sale. Elements like price, meeting identified needs, product quality, customer experience, financing options and delivery options come into play.

Six Step Plan for Sustainable Rotary Club Growth

What will rocket your club to new
heights in membership growth!

Written by Robyn T. Braley

Membership growth is a primary focus for every service organization.

However, the challenge is not growth for growth sake. The challenge is to achieve sustainable growth to ensure long-term viability..  

Rotary Club growth requires a commitment by its' members to share their passion for living out the mission of the organization with others. As we know, enthusiasm is contagious.

I know what question is on your mind. "Is there a magic bullet that will propel my Rotary Club to unprecedented growth?"

Probably not! Sustainable growth is seldom that easy. It is a process that takes time.

And, the 'sustainable' part is hardest. Put simply, if your club has an influx of new members, will they become integrated and stay? 

New members add vitality and energy. The way they are nurtured and helped to blend into the life of your club impacts it's future. 

Why is that important? Because the work Rotary does in serving others is too important not to continue doing it through future generations.