WE HAVE GROWN BY 34 NEW MEMBERS

We have had an outstanding first month in this RY 2011-12 as far as membership development is concerned. WE HAVE GROWN BY 34 NEW MEMBERS.

The following clubs should be congratulated for SHARING ROTARY. And I hope that the rest of us will work hard and be inspired by their example.

RC Klang Central - 8
RC Bentong - 3
RC Seremban - 3
RC Sentul - 3
RC Bandar Sungai Petani - 2
RC Klang - 2 
RC Bangsar - 2
RC Bukit Bintang - 2
RC Greater Kuala Lumpur - 1
RC Kelana Jaya - 1
RC Kuantan - 1
RC Seri Changkat Jong - 1
RC Bukit Tinggi Klang - 1
RC Senawang - 1
RC Georgetown - 1
RC Kerian - 1
RC Sitiawan - 1

My special congratulations to RC Klang Central for an outstanding job sharing Rotary. Congratulations also to RC Bentong, RC Seremban and RC Sentul for vigourously focussing on growth.

Remember that our biggest challenge is not recruitment but retention. Now that you have Identified, Invited and Inducted, please take the next vital steps:

INFORM - Share as much Rotary information as you can with them, and
INVOLVE - Get them involved your club activities - so that they can see and feel the power of Rotary's good work.

I am sure that many other clubs have also inducted new members but have yet to report it to PP Surendra. Kindly do so.
REMEMBER - IF YOU THINK WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN ROTARY IS IMPORTANT - SHARE ROTARY. WE DON'T NEED MORE MEMBERS - WE NEED MORE ROTARIANS

Penang MAPS - Opinion of Rtn A Joseph Walter - RC Bandar Sg Petani

The Membership Action Plan Seminar for the clubs in Penang and Kedah which was held on  Sunday - 14th Aug 2011 at the 1926 Heritage Hotel in Penang was a day always in my memory. First time I attended and was an eye opener for me. Dr Siva not only kept me awake but drilled the right and relevant message straight into my brain. He made to realize the Membership Development is the lifeblood or the pillar of any clubs. Without members, clubs die. 

His invaluable information made me to love the club more. “Never beg for members” still quakes in my heart. We want Rotarian and not members prick my heart. We need quality Rotarians are his wisdom words that makes me to realize that I am called to serve with Rotarians and not members. I fully agree with him, we never want members but committed Rotarians. As Dr Siva reminded me, we should never, never and never beg for members but with our service, Rotarians must voluntarily join us.

In fact, I was at the edge of leaving the club because of one or two Rotarians. Listening to Dr Siva and PDG Dr Santokh Singh and AG Dr Baskaran made me to stay to make the change. Change is want we need. Change makes us to be different. As the Membership Director at RC of Bandar Sungai Petani, I want to bring Quality Rotarians and not members.

Thank you Dr Siva, you are my superhero now, opps underwear inside please heheheh. I have no regrets at all attending the MAPS. Honestly I attended the MAPS with heavy heart and for the sake of attending. But believe me, Dr Siva turned my perception to be completely different and his message vibrates through my blood veins.

Thank you and Terima Kasih PDG (Potential District Governor) Dr Siva and AG Dr Baskaran for making the difference in me. Please come and visit us at RC Bandar Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Presidential Citation, Changemaker Award can help your club set tangible membership goals - By Joseph Derr

What is your club’s approach to recruiting and keeping members?


August, Membership and Extension Month, is an ideal time to discuss membership strategies for the year.
The Presidential Citation and Changemaker Award both include membership criteria and are excellent resources to help you set your goals.

Clubs aiming for the Presidential Citation this year must add at least one new member and keep at least 85 percent of their membership. Additional goals include recruiting RI and Rotary Foundation program alumni and young professionals, and increasing diversity by adding more female members. Districts must meet similar goals.

The Changemaker Award, established by RI President Kalyan Banerjee, also puts membership in the spotlight. Clubs must achieve a specific set of club service goals, including adding one new member under the age of 40 for each 50 members, implementing a comprehensive strategy for keeping members, and demonstrating that they have retained 85 percent of their members for the three Rotary years ending with 2011-12.

Both recognitions also include criteria for supporting Foundation programs, crucial to Rotary’s continued global success.


Past RI Vice President Monty J. Audenart, chair of the RI Membership Development and Retention Committee, encourages all clubs to focus on their membership goals as they take a fresh look at strengthening Rotary.


“When building strong clubs, attracting new members and retaining existing ones are given first priority. Then, the rest of our service activities and programs will take care of themselves,” says Audenart.

A New Approach to Rotary - Rotary International News - 20 January 2011

Katie Ischkin, president and founder of the Rotary Club of South Metro Minneapolis Evenings, Minnesota, USA, believes in a new approach to Rotary.

Her Rotary club, chartered in June, has already grown to 25 members, including 12 new Rotarians who were recruited in a three-month period. The club has signed up for its first Matching Grant and international service project and has participated in more than 10 community service or hands-on volunteer efforts.

Ischkin shared her ideas on how to attract young professionals to Rotary during the International Assembly, an annual training event in San Diego, California. As a "proud, young, female Rotarian," she is among only 2 percent of club members worldwide under the age of 30, and only 11 percent under 40.  

"We need to focus on generating interest in young people for the future success of Rotary," she said. "We are faced today with the need to grow not just for the sake of numbers but to create strong, young, global leaders who are going to help continue the success of the Rotary organization."

Ischkin advocates a new outlook on membership and a different approach to club structure. As a change management consultant, she said she understands people's fear of change. But she stressed that her approach doesn't mean altering the core pieces of the organization or losing what Rotarians hold dear.

"What does change are what I call surface-level elements," she said. "The pieces that individual clubs have the power to shift and redesign, such as meeting times and locations, program structures, club member involvement, and committee formats."

Manage expectations

Ischkin's club meets in the evening and lowers costs by not having meals. And it doesn't hold a traditional meeting every week: The third meeting of the month is a happy hour/networking event at different locations in the city, and the fourth meeting is a hands-on volunteering opportunity.

Ischkin added that it's important to understand the mindset of the new generation and manage expectations accordingly. Younger people are "always on the go and truly connected," she explained, whether it’s through social networking, text messaging, or other means. They face a lot of pressure to be involved in multiple endeavors and to balance work and personal life. As a result, they may be "on call" with their careers, but they are no less dedicated to service.

"When you’re trying to recruit younger members or even sponsor and start a New Generations Rotary club, take time with your club and committee to outline what your expectations are and whether they will align with the younger generation you are trying to attract and work with," she said. "Not every Rotary club can quickly shift gears to attract younger members; it takes time and baby steps."

But for many clubs, she said, "all it takes is opening up your minds and starting to think differently about the future of your club's membership."

MAPS KL & SELANGOR

The MAPS held for KL and Selangor clubs proved very successful with 31 clubs being represented by more than 90 Rotarians. Here is a photo record of the event.

PDG Leslie (MDRC Advisor) shared his views on how clubs must customise a SPAM - Strategic Plan To Activate Membership! SPAM of course he pointed out is MAPS read backwards!

Rotarians busy coming up with an Action Plan or ap for membership development during the round table discussion. There discussions were very productive and useful. The MDR Committee believes that every Rotarian's input is valuable and vital if we are serious about growing membership and Rotarians.

PP Charlie Chan moderating a session with gusto and passion.

PP Christie Daniels sharing his Rotary journey with everyone.

PP Sonny Leong talking about great Rotary fellowship.

The panelists of the "What's breaking up Rotary?" Panel discussion.

DGN Mohinder promises to take the views expressed by the Rotarians seriously and to implement the necessary reforms to make D3300 Bigger, Better and Bolder.

PP Varpal Sagoo tackling the difficult topic of conflicts and infighting in clubs.

PP Graham Bennett sharing his views of what negative external factors are inhibiting our growth.

More discussions and brainstorming.

 Participants sharing their deliberations and findings with everyone.

PP Dr Siva giving his input - we don't need more members. We need more ROTARIANS!

More sharing.

Yes, we can do it. If we work together and beileve in Rotary.

 Let us REACH WITHIN TO EMBRACE HUMANITY BY SHARING ROTARY.

MAPS IN PENANG

The Membership Action Plan Seminar for the clubs in Penang and Kedah will be held this Sunday - 14th Aug 2011 at the 1926 Heritage Hotel in Penang.

Please be assured that these seminars have as their primary focus - SHARING BY ROTARIANS. I believe that we all share a collective responsibility for membership development and retention and therefore everyone should have a voice. Come and express your views candidly and share your experiences so that we can make D3300 all that it can be.

The programme for the  day is as follows:

  

09.00 – 0930                  Registration

0930 – 10.00                  Welcome Address by Organizing Chairman

                                           Address by Host Club President

10.00 – 10.45                “The

Rotary Way

” – PP Dr Siva Ananthan – D3300 MDRC Chair

10.45 – 11.30                 “A Custom Approach to Membership Development” – PDG Leslie Salehuddin – D3300 MDRC Advisor

11.30 – 11.45                Tea Break

11.45 – 12.45                Membership Action Plan Round Table – PDG Leslie Salehuddin

12.45 – 01.45                Lunch

01.45 – 02.45                Panel Discussion 1 – “What’s Breaking Up Rotary?” – Moderator – PP Ronnie Tan

                                      Panelists

                                      “Negative External Influences” – IPP Shamrat Sen Gupta

                                      “Infighting, Conflicts and Other Cancers” – PP Varpal Sagoo                                 

“The Politics of Rotary” – PP Ricky Ch’ng

02.45 – 03.45                Panel Discussion 2 – “What’s so great about Rotary?” – Moderator – PDG Dato’ William Ng

                                     

                                      Panelists

“My Rotary Journey” – PDG Dr Santokh Singh

“The Great Rotary Fellowship” – AG Dr Baskaran

“Friends Around The World” – AG Ananda Pillai

03.45 – 04.00                Tea Break

04.00 – 04.45                Membership Action Plan Review – PP Dr Siva Ananthan

04.45 – 05.00                Closing Remarks

I know that we all love Rotary and this is why we must SHARE IT.

See you soon in Penang.

PP Dr Siva Ananthan

MDR Chair D3300

Comments from Rtn Dr Arasu (RC Bandar Sunway) on the recent KL MAPS

It was an awsome experience attending the MAPS seminar and it was well beyond my expectations. I am so glad that I participated. This is my first seminar and workshop that I was attending as a Rotarian since joining this wonderful club. There were 90 rotarians (mostly Past Presidents and Membership Chairs) from 31 clubs in KL and Selangor.

The MAPS was declared open by DG Dr Ravee who gave us a rousing speech laden with much food for thought. The majority of sessions were conducted interactively and invoked a lot of participation from the Rotarians present. Almost every view raised in the seminar was given serious consideration and it was an enormous learning experience for me. To be truthful, when I was absorbed into the Board as an alternate to PP Sinnu, I had no inkling of on how to carry out the responsibilities but thanks to this seminar, I can play a more active role in the membership development of the Club.

The primary message in the seminar was that as Rotarians we should live a life of service to others so that the memory of our deeds will live long after we have gone. The other key message that I got was a simple one yet exceedingly meaningful for the growth of Rotary - ‘if we think what we do as Rotarians is important, then we must spread our message of hope more vigorously and with great commitment’.
We must approach potential members in the general public and share our passion and commitment for  humanitarian service. Now our club’s proposed PR project of sending leaflets promoting Rotary in the vicinity of Sunway and the recent floral project in Putra Jaya makes a lot more sense to me after attending this seminar.

The conclusion at the seminar is that we do not need just members - we need more Rotarians who truly believe in service to humanity and dutifully commit some time for that purpose. We simply do not have enough committed Rotarians for the needs of the less fortunate and hence the need to recruit more. Membership development in simple terms is about ensuring that we leave a legacy of good so that more will be inspired to do the same in the future.

 

‘There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.’- Albert Schweitzer.

MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLAN SEMINAR (MAPS) FOR KL AND SELANGOR CLUBS

I am happy to announce that yesterday (7th Aug 2011), we had successfully completed the MAPS for all the clubs in KL and Selangor. We had 31 clubs there and an attendance of more than 90 Rotarians. My thanks to RC Danau Desa for organising it and OC PP Christie Daniels for a great job. The MAPS was declared open by DG Dr Ravee who gave us a rousing speech and food for thought.


We approached this whole Membership Development Seminar very differently. Firstly, the presenters were all Rotarians that has some currency in the District being active Rotarians in their own clubs and outside them. The majority of sessions were conducted interactively and this saw a lot of participation from the Rotarians present. I am was very pleased with this outcome since I believe that District Officers and Committees must listen to what every Rotarian has to say in devising their plans for a better D3300. I want all of you to know that your views are very important to me and that my committee and I will take them seriously.


The first keynote address was presented by me as the MDR Chair and entitled - THE ROTARY WAY. My mesage - simple - if we think what we do as Rotarians is important, then we must spread our message of hope more vigourously and with greater committment.


Here are some of the ideas I shared for the benefit of all the Rotarians who could not attend.

It is an undisputed fact that many Rotarians for one reason or another fail in their obligation to share Rotary. This is not due selfishness but because we are complacent or lack conviction in what we are doing in Rotary. We lack the courage of our convictions are we ourselves are not convinced that what we are doing in Rotary is truly meaningful. For some, it is because their fellowship has no purpose, for others it is because they lack an understanding of their true power as Rotarians to make a better world.


I want to share with you this painting by Rosa Branson commissioned by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI). The thematic work, entitled Service Above Self, depicts the many facets of Rotary’s humanitarian service, including the global campaign to eradicate polio and efforts addressing literacy, health, hunger, and water issues. Branson discovered Rotary’s work on a trip to Sierra Leone to visit the land-based operations of Mercy Ships, which is depicted in the painting and provides health care to port cities around the world.

I love this depiction of Rotary. It is empowering and makes me feel important in the scheme of things. What great things we do as Rotarians. Feed the hungry, help people in disasters, heal the sick and work for a more peaceful world. This is why we are Rotarians. This is why we must stand up and be counted. In a world that has gone mad - we are the hope for sanity and goodness. What we do is as Michael Jackson says, "Heal the world and make it a better place". Let me share some of the lyrics of his inspirational song:


There's A Place In Your Heart
And I Know That It Is Love
And This Place Could be Much Brighter Than Tomorrow
And If You Really Try..........


There Are Ways To Get There
If You Care Enough For The Living
Make A Little Space, Make A Better Place...


Heal The World, Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me, And The Entire Human Race.........
And The Dream We Were Conceived In
Will Reveal A Joyful Face
And The World We Once Believed In Will Shine Again In Grace.
THE PARADIGM OF POWERLESSNESS


Many people in the world are consumed by the paradigm of powerlessness. They feel there is nothing they can do in the face of the overwhelming problems that confront the world. So much so that they are numb to human suffering. Everyday the media of the world bring images of suffering into our living rooms - LIVE. We watch these events of human misery unfold before our very eyes. Images like these:

They shock us, but many people take the position there is nothing they can do about it. So, they turn off the TV, have dinner and go to sleep. It's not that they don't care - they just don't know what to do about it. They are trapped by their own problems - not realising that it is nothing compared to what many people suffer. They rationalise and justify their inaction and simply.........

GIVE UP.


I want you to now take a journey with me. Back in time - to when you were a little boy or girl. When you were seven or eight years old.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE TIME?


It was the time when you were really you. It was a time when all things were possible and the indoctrinations of life had not happened. I remember that time well. And whenever I falter in life and think back to the Siva of seven or eight. The Siva who would give the beggar on the street his 10 sens pocket money and not think about what the beggar was going to do with it. The Siva who believed and trusted in the inherent goodness in all people. The Siva who believed in Superheroes.

Don't laugh at me cynically. We all did - you did too. So did everybody. Because deep down everyone wants to see good truimph. Most people forget the real them. Life takes over and as Shakespeare put it - the whips and scorns of outrageous fortune condition people into a hardened state. Impervious to human suffering - numbing themselves to preserve their sanity.


ROTARIANS AND NOT AMONG THEIR NUMBER - BECAUSE WE HAVE RESOLVED TO FIGHT ON - TO END HUMAN MISERY.


The fact of the matter is that we are outnumbered and outgunned and we need to rearm and recruit. The total population of the world surpasses 7 Billion people. About half that number live in poverty and can't even help themselves. So we have about 3 Billion people who live in the developed world. We have 1.2 million Rotarians. Even if you multiply that number by 20 to reflect the altruistic people of the world - we have 240 million people. Against a human population of 7 billion and a viable population of 3 billion. The world is not in good shape. Why? Because most people have been defeated by the paradigm of POWERLESSNESS.


Its time we turned to these people and shared our passion and commitment for humanitarian service. That is what membership development is about. We do not need more members - WE NEED MORE ROTARIANS. Believe this and ACT on your belief - REACH OUT.

These were the four founding members of Rotary. Such distinguished gentlemen, Gus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, Hiram Shorey and Paul Harris. What did they share in common with you? They yearned for fellowship. Saw it as an opportunity for service and shared that message with their friends. They believed a fellowship anchored on the ideal of humanitarian service was lasting and meaningful. But even the very first Rotarian group had their retention problem - 50% of this group left Rotary. But the remaining two perservered - that is why we have Rotary International today.


What else will we have in common with them? Yes, we will all die some day. Just like they did. 106 years on, we are still talking about what they did. A friend of mine, once told me, that every person has 2 deaths. I was confounded by what he said and asked him, how is that possible? He said, Siva a man dies the first time when he is dead physically. But he really dies only when people stop talking about him. When the memory of him is dead. That is the 2nd death! Live your life in such a way, that the 2nd death does not happen to you.


My friends, we as Rotarians live a life of service to others and therefore long after we are dead - the memory of our deeds will live. This is why we must commit ourselves to sharing Rotary and bringing in new and young members, so that, the good work that we do will carry on and long endure. Membership development is about ensuring that we leave a legacy of good. THIS IS THE ROTARY WAY.


Our mission, to provide humanitarian service, to promote high ethical standards and to advance understanding, goodwill and peace, is so fundamental and essential to improving the human condition.


GOD BLESS ROTARY.