Click 4 Action eRotary Secretary Tim Mason and District 1100 Membership Chair, joined Rotary when he was 27 years. He says that it helps him stay young in mind, attitude and how he contributes in his vibrant, modern Rotary network, in this programme week commencing 28th May, Tim advocates who should be invited to join Rotary in the 21st Century.
Interesting, I’ve just read that if we want to increase Rotary Membership we should target the newly retired. I then start thinking did I want to join an organisation for the retired?
I joined Rotary because I was interested in my community, I wanted to put back some of what I had taken out. I wanted to network, meet new people, learn new things. Did age come into it? Not really as Rotary is ageless, a balance of those working and retired, all just doing it together as friends and colleagues.
We need to invite people to join Rotary because we think it will suit them and that their skills, experiences and passions will be a great asset to our activities. I still want to be part of an organisation which is vibrant, balanced in its membership and, above all, puts Service above Self at the Centre of all we do.
I’ve written much about EUCO 2015 and how it was great to be amongst some very enthusiastic young professionals. Over the weekend I experienced one of our younger member’s activities where she is helping to organise the Spalding People’s Parade. 
It showed that eRotary can reach many parts. When talking to the people from the Guide Dogs for the Blind, they spoke about Rotarian Kate’s involvement there too.
So who should we invite? People who want to put something back into an organisation, a community, the world. People who have passion and want to make a difference. People who are interested in networking via any means of opportunity, e.g. meetings, telephone, Skype/video conferencing and, of course, Social Media. People who understand that one person joined to 1.2 million members internationally can really help to make a difference, with just a little bit of commitment and time.
Invite people, let them try it out and let’s just build a balanced Rotary membership of all ages – as in my case you’re as old as you feel!
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Well said Tim .. totally agree. we get hung up on who should join and then clubs do all they can to put people off! … complicated processes, lengthy periods before joining, qualifying interviews, several visits before a seven day letter to members … unless there is a compelling reason to say no to a prospect then get them in and get them joining in.