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“Family of Rotary”
“The Family of Rotary” is a term that addresses the part of our organization that encourages clubs to support fellow Rotarians and their families.
Rotarians who feel supported and enjoy friendships within their club are likely to become the strongest members and to encourage others to join. “Support” at its most fundamental level means “helping” or even more precisely “caring for”. There are three important areas within the “Family of Rotary”:
1. Supporting fellow Rotarians in our own clubs
It is impossible to support anyone unless you KNOW that person. Thus, supporting Rotarians in our own club needs a foundation of members getting to know other members. Clubs use several effective mechanisms to try to achieve this goal:
1. “Good news bucks”
2. “In the news” bucks
3. Reclassification talks
4. “Rotarian of the week” (each week a member gives a 5’ talk about anything he/she chooses)
5. Using your own members for programs
6. Getting newer members involved right away (giving their classification talks immediately after initiation, joining an active committee or project, having a Rotary mentor)
7. Schedule shared activities – quizzes, clean-ups, crazy auctions that can focus on fun and getting to know each other better.
8. Form a committee or appoint an interested Rotarian as “Family of Rotary” coordinator to find out who needs and would appreciate special support.
9. Organize help for Rotarians who need something special
2. Supporting Rotary families
This type of caring always requires the opportunity for spouses/partners and or children to participate in activities with a Rotarian. Many clubs have developed wonderful social events (plays, concerts, wine-tasting, progressive dinners, etc).
One morning club held one EVENING meeting each month that included guests (spouses, children, etc.) – a dinner meeting with an interesting program. That club had an informal morning meeting the week of the evening program, where no program was planned and attendance counted as a make-up.
And don’t overlook the possibility of encouraging “Rotary couples”, where both members of a couple are active Rotarians. Our adult children, too, often just need an invitation or encouragement to become Rotarians.
3. Supporting the larger family of Rotary
Ideas worth consideration to get to know Rotarians from far away on a more personal level:
1) Exchange students -- have EACH Rotarian sign up for a date to do one activity of his/her own choosing with the exchange student.
2) Consider getting together a group of Rotarians/spouses, partners or adult children for a “friendship exchange”.
3) Doing make-ups whenever you travel
I would be very happy to discuss these or other ideas in more detail with anyone: nancy-fleming@sbcglobal.net
Rotary has been VERY focused on recruiting new members, but I believe that unless we can demonstrate a support and caring for our existing members, their families and the larger family of Rotary, we will be missing one of the most important ways to retain members and strengthen our organization.
Nancy Fleming
Rotary District 6450
Family of Rotary Chair | 
