Resources for club committees

Rotary International News -- 11 July 2008 

As the new Rotary year begins, thousands of Rotarians begin their involvement with a club committee. 

It’s through the work of club committees that a Rotary club provides service to its community, retains members, and develops leaders for the club, district, and Rotary International only when its operations are efficient.

Club committees are charged with carrying out the club’s long-range and annual goals. Each Rotary club has different needs and will establish committees to suit them.

Whether you’re a new or returning club committee member, here are several resources that you may find helpful.

Club administration committee

• Club Administration Committee Manual Guide to establishing goals and increasing club effectiveness

Club membership committee

• Club Membership Committee Manual Guide to establishing and meeting club membership recruitment and retention goals

• Membership Development Resource Guide Basic procedures for building club membership and lists suggestions for recruiting and retaining members

• How to Propose a New Member Brochure outlining the procedure for selecting and electing members. Includes a membership proposal form.

• New Member Orientation Guide to creating or updating a new member education program

Club committees are charged with carrying out the club’s long-range and annual goals

Club public relations committee

• Club Public Relations Committee Manual Guide to establishing and meeting club goals of publicizing Rotary’s positive image worldwide

• Effective Public Relations: A Guide for Rotary Clubs Tools and tips for promoting club activities to attract positive attention from the community and potential members

• Public service announcements RI print, radio, and television PSAs that clubs can use to promote Rotary in their communities

Club service projects committee

• Club Service Projects Committee Manual Guide to establishing and meeting club project goals

• Communities in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects Guide for planning, conducting, and evaluating a service project

• A Menu of Service Opportunities Overview of the RI Board -recommended service areas for clubs and districts, examples of successful club projects , and useful resources; companion piece to Communities in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects

• Community Assessment Tools Detailed guidelines for conducting effective community assessments

• Rotary Community Corps Handbook: A Guide to Action Basic steps for organizing a corps, including how to identify potential leaders; also includes case studies and project ideas

Club Rotary Foundation committee

• Club Rotary Foundation Committee Manual Guide to establishing and meeting Foundation contribution goals

• The Rotary Foundation Quick Reference Guide Compilation of the programs and services of The Rotary Foundation in a quick reference format

• Promotional Guide for Humanitarian Projects Guidelines for the promotion of projects and activities funded by the humanitarian programs of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International

• World Community Service Handbook Information on the program, including overviews of donations-in-kind projects and the Rotary Volunteers program, as well as Rotary Foundation grant programs that can assist the projects

For all club leaders

• Appreciation/Contribution Form Document that should accompany contributions and donor appreciation requests to The Rotary Foundation

• RI Catalog List of RI publications, audiovisual programs, forms, and supplies, updated annually. Available in print and online at shop.rotary.org .

• Visual Identity Style Manual Reference for the design of publications at all levels of Rotary. Includes information on the proper use of the Rotary emblem, the Rotary colors, elements of good publications, grids and page layouts, typography, graphics, and photographs.

• Member Access Members-only area of the RI Web site that allows Rotarians to contribute to The Rotary Foundation, manage their e-mail subscriptions from RI, register for meetings, download administrative software, and access member benefits. Club presidents and secretaries have access to additional club reports and records.