2015 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
How to Create an Action Plan for Your
Club
Moderator: Joe Brownlee
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Joe Brownlee
• Rotary Club of Evanston, District 6440
• General Manager/Chief Strategy Officer, Rotary International
Your Moderator:
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• Why a plan is needed
• What a club plan is
• Strategy vs. Culture—buy in is critical
• Characteristics of an effective club
• Basic planning questions
• Resources and how to implement
• Examples of success
Session Objectives:
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• Past District Governor Mark Kriebel
• Assistant Governor Elizabeth Van Sant
• RI Director P.T. Prabhakar
Today’s Panelists:
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What is the Club Culture?
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What is club culture?
Strategy
Goals
Objectives
Activities
Results
GU
IDIN
G PA
TH
DR
IVIN
G PA
TH
Culture
Values
Practices
Behaviors
Mission/Vision Values
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How Would You Evaluate Your Club?
A. Everything is going well because… B. My club is struggling because…
Engaged, satisfied members Disengaged, dissatisfied members
Diverse Not representative of community
Growing Stable or declining
Positive public interest No interest from public
Relevant to community needs What community needs?
Community awareness “What do you do?”
Trying new things Trying the same things over and over
Awesome signature event/program We do nothing significant
Great leadership What leadership? Led by the same group
Engaged speakers Dry politicians and perceived leaders
Having FUN!!!!! I laugh at a meeting or two
Having FUN!!!!! Have fun with some members
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• Rotary Club of Endwell, District 7170
• Rotary Training Leader
• Past District Governor
Mark Kriebel:
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Why is an Action Plan Needed?
• Tradition of annual cycles has not been effective
• Establishes a multi-year coordinated plan
• Need for greater continuity, consistency, and consensus
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It is a living tool that:
– Defines a shared commitment
– Provides long-term direction
– Creates a framework to establish goals and objectives
– Optimizes use of resources
What is a Club Plan and What does it do?
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Consensus
2014
2016
2015
Success
VISION
Annual plans, projects, programs
Continuity and Consistency:
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Effective Clubs are able to…
• Sustain and increase membership
• Create a fun and value-added environment
• Implement successful service projects
• Support The Rotary Foundation
• Develop leaders within and beyond
the club level
District Gov.
Insert your picture here
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Purpose: To strengthen Rotary at the club
level by providing the administrative
framework of an effective club.
Club Leadership Plan:
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• Who are you?
• Where are you?
• Where do you want to be?
• How will you get there?
• What Resources and Commitment is needed?
• How will you know when you have arrived?
The Basic Planning Questions:
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Concept to Plan Process:
Actions and
Programs
Long-Range Goals
Plan
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Rotary Happens at the Club Level:
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Strategic Thinking
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• Understand the passions of fellow members/club
• Renewed energy/dynamic
• Define focus
• New ideas
• Hear the voices of new and quiet members
• Come up with a PLAN for our club
• Engage members who may not be involved
• Create EXCITEMENT
• Think BIG into the future
Top Benefits of Collaborative Planning:
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• Rotary Club of Covington, District6840
• Youth Exchange Officer
• Assistant Governor
• Club President
Elizabeth Van Sant
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Transitioning Your Plan into Actions:
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• What are we doing that we need to let go (and at what cost to our membership)?
• How can we switch our capital/resources effectively to new project(s)?
• What are realistic time frames for change?
What Can We Improve?
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• Why is Rotary a lower priority for some members?
• What are the needs of our immediate community?
• How can we cultivate local resources to meet needs of projects
• Celebrate small accomplishments too
How Can We Better Engage?
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• Current and dedicated members
• Community relationships and resources
• Ideals and goals of Rotary International
Where are Our Strengths?
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Changing the Club Culture:
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• Know your clubs resources, members, community and history
• Create a shared sense of purpose
• Projects with obvious and measureable goals (small & large)
• Make sure ideas and goals align
How Can We Change?
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Leading Through Change:
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Rotary Club Central:
Membership Reports
• Membership Growth & Viability
-Determine current retention rates for new and existing members
• Termination Profile
-Illustrates when the majority of a club’s terminations are occurring
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Rotary Resources for Clubs and Districts:
Strengthening Your Membership (Now Available)
Club Assessment Tools
Strategic Planning Guide
Rotary Club Central
Governors, Assistant Governors, and Rotary Coordinators
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New Membership Publication Available
• Outlines steps to create a membership development plan
• Provides strategies, best practices, and tools
• Available on rotary.org as a downloadable PDF or shop.rotary.org for purchase
• Translated into FR, DE, IT, PT, ES, JA & KO
Strengthening Your Membership: Creating Your Membership Development Plan
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Membership Best Practices Discussion Group:
Search for “Membership Best Practices” on Rotary.org
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Thank You to Our Panelists!
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• RC of Valenzuela West (Philippines)
• District 6450 (USA)
• RC of Wellington (New Zealand)
Other examples:
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“Rotary is not an organization for
retrospection. It is rather one whose
worth and purpose lie in future activity
rather than past performance.”
Paul Harris, Founder of Rotary International
1914
Final Thought:
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• Rotary Club of Madras Central, District 3230
• RI Director (2013-15)
• Membership Committee Liaison
P.T. Prabhakar
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Questions & Answers:
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Thank You!