Club_Officers_Handbook_2016

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

Club

Helpful Suggestions Membership Retention

Setting Your Membership Goals 1. How many members would you like to have at your monthly meeting? 2. How many members do you need to complete your com- munity service programs? 3. Would more members make serving your community easier? Would it make conducting fundraisers easier? 4. What number will you need will determine your goal? Club Sponsoring a Club 1. The club president should explain at a club meeting that the club should assist in organizing a new Ruritan club. 2. After a discussion, club members should vote to spon- sor the new club. 3. President appoints a Growth and Development Com- mittee (a small committee, generally best with two mem- bers) with the president serving as ex-officio member. 4. Club members assist the Growth and Development Committee by identifying key contacts in nearby com- munities. 5. The club’s Growth and Development Committee will select the community in which to organize a new club. 6. Members will assist the Growth and Development Committee by contacting community leaders, explaining Ruritan, and/or inviting acquaintances from the selected community to visit the club meeting as guests.

Sample Letter of Invitation Type a version of the letter of invitation below on club sta- tionery. Don’t forget to replace the the name, time, date, and place (in bold below) with your information. Donate your extra or old copies of the RURITAN magazine to your library, doctor’s office, or other public places. Attach a note about your local Ruritan club (your name, giving meeting dates, meeting place, and your telephone number.) 1. Absent members should be notified that they were missed soon after the meeting. A telephone call or short note will do. 2. Absent members should be contacted and apprised of their situation prior to being dropped. There may be jobs, sickness, or other factors causing them to miss the meetings. 3. Make‑up meetings should be encouraged. 4. Members may be placed on leave of absence up to one year or may be made at‑large member indefinitely with annual status review by club. 5. Offer associate memberships to members who seem to be unable to make regular meetings. Silent Salesman Dear Prospective Member , The members of the Sample Ruritan Club extend to you a special invitation to our next meeting. Please come and enjoy our meal, fellowship, and program. We will meet at ( time ), ( place ), ( date ). I hope you will accept our invitation to attend and participate in future programs vital to making our com‑ munity a better place to live. You will receive the reward of satisfaction from helping and share the friendship of other responsible community leaders. We look forward to having you as our guest and sharing our Ruritan fellowship with you. Sincerely, Ima Ruritan Ima Ruritan Sample Ruritan Club President Sample Ruritan Club Anytown, USA 99999

Growth & Development Assistance is Available Organizing a new club can be a difficult task. Don’t let the opportunity to build a new club slip away from your Ruritan club. The Ruritan National Office has resources that can help you in your Growth & Development mission. Growth & Development Kits are available:

Ruritan National 5451 Lyons Road P.O. Box 487, Dublin, VA 24084 toll free (877) 787-8727 FAX (540) 674-2304

For additional assistance in forming new clubs or recruiting members, contact your zone governor, district governor, and/or the district growth and development chair.

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Revised 8/2016