Thursday, February 19, 2009

New MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE GUIDE Available!

The Membership Development Resource Guide (417-EN) has recently been revised and is available to all Rotarians.

The Membership Development Resource Guide covers all three components of membership development (retention, recruitment, and organizing new clubs), offering effective strategies for clubs to implement as part of a complete action plan for membership development.

Club Assessment Tools is a new online supplement to this publication. It provides guidance for clubs on how to best use and reap the most benefit from RI’s many club assessment tools. Read the publication, and encourage district membership committees to promote this resource to clubs!

The Membership Development Resource Guide (417-EN) is available to download at www.rotary.org (type 417 in the main search box) or can be found here. You may also order a copy online at shop.rotary.org or through the RI Catalog.

Club Assessment Tools (available online only) can be viewed and downloaded at www.rotary.org or you can find it here.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Bill Gates Increases Polio Challenge Grant by $255 Million

At Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego last month, Bill Gates announced that his foundation will increase its challenge grant by $255 million – for a total of $355 million. By accepting the increase, Rotary also accepts the challenge to raise an additional $100 million in matching funds by 30 June 2012 and raises the combined Rotary-Gates Foundation commitment to a total of $555 million.

Make the new Gates challenge a part of your membership development strategy and promote it on your websites, newsletters, and blogs. Because public image affects both recruitment and retention, work with your District Public Relations Committee to get the word out on this important and high-profile Rotary program. Help Rotary International and the Gates Foundation ensure the success of the PolioPlus Program and set an example for the rest of the world.

The Joint Letter from President D.K. Lee and Foundation Chair Jonathan Majiyagbe announcing the new challenge can be viewed here.

Watch Bill Gates make the announcement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH1vPTVGHOk