This does not mean that the tasks should not be taken seriously for as we know the number of Rotarians in the UK is falling and will fall faster and more speedily as the years pass unless we reinvigorate our clubs with younger, more active people.

I intend to bring to the club a series of initiatives to increase and diversify our membership. We must simplify our joining procedures and be asking not “how many years have you known this potential member?” but “will this potential member bring support and gain sustenance form the club?”

There are people out there of all ages from 20 to 70, both male and female who would not feel out of place in this club. The problem is that they are out there – not in here!


Many younger people with young families simply do not have deep pockets but that is no reason why they should be unable to join this club. We are a service club, not a cheque book club and I intend to bring before the membership initiatives to address some of these issues.


The Club Training Officer is charged with fostering the development of leadership skills and increased awareness about Rotary at the club levels. Although this can be separated from Membership Services this task is at the heart of helping those within the club who wish to learn more about Rotary to become acquainted with the detail. I propose that throughout the coming year we will arrange a small series – possibly 3 or 4 meeting outside the normal weekly meetings at which a clear link between club and District can be forged, and those who wish to learn more about the structures and ways of Rotary cab become informed. Many members at club level, myself included, are simply not aware of the intricacies and echelons of the Rotary Organisation. Quite clearly some members will never wish to know whilst other may wish to be more informed.

I see this role as a facilitation role and as part of  Membership Services I believe that this will present new challenges and hopefully considerable rewards for the club.

Mr President, Gentlemen.; I have the privilege of taking over the tasks Vice President which in modern parlance is described as Chairman of  Membership Services and Club Training Officer. In many ways these two roles are each an extension of the other. Along with many in Rotary I choose to redefine some of the more contentious matters and prefer the word “guideline” to “rule” and the word “facilitate” rather than “instruct”. We are, after all, a service club consisting of people who volunteer to give of their time and efforts.