Club_Officers_Handbook_2016

Standing Committees of a Ruritan Club (continued) Membership Committee Club

The purpose of this committee is to provide stability and growth in club membership. The changing needs of your club can be fulfilled by always seeking new membership prospects in your community. The size of your club and community determine which programs will work best. More members mean increased fellowship and community service, greater representation of Ruritan in community projects, greater human resources for fundraising, increased assistance to others, and more enthusiastic support for the club. Suggested Projects 1.Ruritan Student Program Invite students(s) in school and college to become members of your club. If possible, a minimum of two students should be brought in at the time the program is initiated. It is suggested that the club pay initiation fee and dues for first year. Recommendations a. Give formal installation and a lapel pin to new mem- bers. b. Indicate on the appropriate report that the club is par- ticipating in Ruritan Student Program at the time the new membership is reported. c. Assign students to the Social Development Commit- tee. d. Work with youth as regular members to foster a spirit of fellowship, goodwill, and community service. e. Encourage students who leave the community/club to attend college, etc. to consider transferring membership status to member‑at‑large or transferring to another club. 2. Recruiting Members by Standing Committees Each month a Community Service Committee has the respon- sibility to bring in prospects. 3. Contest Between Club Membership Sample Contest Rules a. Establish teams. Competition is the motivator. Divide the club membership into teams of three or more with the captain of each team serving on the contest rules committee. Each team should develop its own approach for getting new members. b. The Membership Committee should follow‑up at each meeting. Consider the prospects, who were invited but did not attend, as well as follow‑up on those who at- tended but did not join. Assign someone else to visit this prospect again to get a commitment. c. Winners of the contest eat a meal provided by the los- ers.

4. SHARE Program This is a three month, three‑step program involving the entire club membership, in enlisting new members. Club Meeting‑No. 1 Club president explains the advantages of having additional members share in club projects, etc. Invitations To Member- ship are presented to club membership chair for later presenta- Board of Directors’Meeting: Prospective members approved for membership are presented to the club for their approval at Club Meeting Number 2. Club Meeting No. 2 The club membership is presented a list of prospective mem- bers approved by the club’s board of directors. Prospective members, approved by club membership, are sent a special letter of invitation to attend next club meeting to enjoy the meal and program. Members are assigned names of prospective members and encourage them to attend the next meeting. Club Meeting No. 3 a. Meeting conducted as usual by club president with a special welcome to prospective members. b. Business conducted as usual. c. Membership Chair conducts the program for prospective members (Show Ruritan video.) d. Each prospective member presented material (“This Is Ruritan” brochure, color Ruritan brochure, recent RURITAN magazine, bylaws.) e. Club president explains the value of membership in a Ruritan club and how beneficial it can be to the entire community. Prospective members are again informed that they have been approved for membership. f. Club treasurer informs prospective members of the fees and dues. g. Prospective members accept membership, pay fees and are installed at the close of the meeting, assigned to committee, and presented a new member kit. tion to the club’s board of directors. Between Club Meeting No. 1 and No. 2

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Revised 8/2016