In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand Issue 2 | Page 55

So, what does a healthy club offer?
• FUN
• Opportunities for service
• Regular social activities
• Quality projects
• An online presence
• Member, professional, age and
gender diversity
• Growing membership

• A great reputation as a recognised
leader in the community
• Rotary knowledge (and ongoing
education)
• A ‘game plan’ (which is regularly
reviewed)
• A willingness to do what’s required
for the benefit of the members,
Rotary and its community

•

Nine out of 10 volunteers found their
volunteering experience “satisfying”.

•

Most volunteered because of the
difference they could make to the
community and the sense of purpose
their volunteering gave them.

•

How and when people were able to volunteer was affected
by a range of personal circumstances: family and work
commitments were the most frequently mentioned.

•

While the preferred ways of volunteering were changing, 75
percent of respondents said ‘regularly volunteering in the
same organisation’ was the most preferred.

•

Respondents reported organisations were introducing new
ways of offering volunteering – mainly through greater
flexibility.

One part of the survey that I was really interested in focused
on the importance of asking, and the fact organisations should
not underestimate the power of the request. Asking someone
to become a volunteer communicates the belief that they have
something valuable to offer. Asking also overcomes the Kiwi trait
of modesty and not wanting to be seen as a ‘show off’ by putting
yourself forward.
This research also suggested a database be kept that identifies not
only existing and lapsed volunteers but also potential volunteers.
Despite high levels of satisfaction with volunteering, 38 percent
of respondents had considered quitting their role in the previous
year. Most frequently their reasons included: time and work
commitments, personality clashes and club ‘politics’, and a feeling
that it was time to ‘move on’.
When asked the one thing that would improve their volunteer
experience, 75 percent said: having more volunteers. More
members, more people to work with.
Sound familiar? This could be a Rotary survey.

At the end of
the day, we
need to create a
spark and some
excitement. A
fresh approach
to creating
a more
meaningful club
experience is
called for.”
Whatever changes
you consider, don’t
lose sight of Rotary’s
purpose and values:

At the end of the day, we need to create a spark and some
excitement. A fresh approach to creating a more meaningful club
experience is called for.

•

Fellowship

•

Service

The ideas are endless; they just need a good measure of Rotary
spirit to enact and sustain them.

•

Leadership

•

Diversity

•

Integrity