ROTARY MEMBERSHIP IN INDIA

Greetings.
 I would like all of you to start a discussion on Membership
Issues and Concern. Since last ten years we are stuck at 1.2 million
members. Since 2002 our membership has been stagnant at 1.23 million. But
number of club has increased. In fact as per the statistics, the membership
has decreased from 1.24 million to 1.23 million in last seven years but
number of clubs has increased from 31256 to 33790. This shows we have made
new clubs by breaking old clubs.

But in India number of clubs has increased from 2469 to 2949 and number of
members have increased from 93471 to 105661 in last seven years.

Though we have tried twice specific membership drive but did not last long.
We have not been able to find a long term solution. There is no sustainable
membership development in Rotary.

All our effort should be to focus on net growth in membership. I would like
to give some facts and suggestions for membership growth.

25% to 28% of clubs (8610) have less than 20 members. Out of this 1522 clubs
(5% to 6%) have less than 10 members, 3221 clubs (10% to 11%) have less than
15 but more than 11 members and 3867 clubs (11% to 12%) have less than 20
but more than 16 members.

If we can focus on the clubs having less than 20 members and bring up the
membership to 20, we can add at least 50000 members within the existing
clubs. There is a great opportunity in clubs less than20 members. Dist.
Governors should be asked to focus on these clubs and assign a senior
Rotarian as Smaller club Membership Coordinator to bring up their membership
to 20. His responsibility will be to only concentrate on clubs having less
than 20 members in the district.

There are more than 120000 foundation alumni but only 2% have joined Rotary.
Rotary head quarter should prepare district wise list of foundation alumni
and send them to respective District Governor. The DG should assign a senior
Rotarian to contact the alumni and invite them to join Rotary. He should
correspond with the alumni, write to respective club Presidents. There are
many potential members among alumni. It will be worth the effort.

There are 8000 Rotract clubs and 184000 Rotractors. Out of the total
rotractors 18% who leave rotract every year as they either join a profession
/ work or they are above the age limit. Clubs should focus on their Rotract
clubs and find rotractors who can become eligible Rotarian( who have joined
work or have crossed the age limit). The DG should ask the club presidents
to find and invite the rotractors who are eligible to become Rotarian.

I am sure if we can focus on the above we can add more than 50000 members
with less effort who will be Rotarian of quality.

I would like you to think about it and give your feed back and comments.
--
''Each member: reach one, keep one''
Invite your friend, colleague, or neighbor to join Rotary.

PDGAswini Kar(2002-03)Dist-3260