Member Sponsorship: What’s in it for You!

Sponsoring new members is at the heart of the Rotary experience. Sponsors play a critical role in supporting Rotary‘s ideals of service, leadership, and positive change in the world by sponsoring, empowering and supporting new members.

Select people to sponsor with our needs in mind: people with skills in finance, organization, social media and technology. Then, educate prospective member(s) about Rotary, emphasizing our commitment to active participation in our club and its projects. Next, guide your prospective member through the pre-application and application processes.

The pre-application process involves attendance at some of our meetings, familiarity with both our and Rotary International’s websites, and participation in three of our service projects. Once the pre-application is approved by the Membership Committee, the application process includes gathering basic biographical data, how the prospective member wants to serve Rotary, and a headshot photo.    

When a new member is inducted, sponsors guide them through their early days to inspire active, long-term membership. Make your new member feel included and valued by fostering relationships, building a sense of belonging through consistent engagement in activities, and serving as a resource to clarify expectations and answer questions. 

What sponsoring a new member will do for you is inspire you; for as with so many acts of service, the giver benefits at least as much as the recipient. While sharing Rotary’s history, mission, and values with our prospective member, it is likely you will remember your Rotary Moments!

By engaging with your new member, you will develop a long-term relationship that will endure far beyond Rotary. In helping your new member form relationships within our club, you will reinvigorate your own relationships with fellow Rotary members. 

By motivating your new member’s participation in meetings, projects, and events, you will become recommitted to our important work and its impact. And, by answering your new member’s questions and clarifying their expectations, you will be reminded that you are a crucial resource within our club.