By Chun-Wook Hyun, Trustee of The Rotary Foundation and a member of the Rotary Club of Seoul-Hansoo, Korea
My Rotary club began like any other traditional club, chartered in October 1991 with about 30 members. The year I served as governor of District 3640, about a decade ago, my club had grown to about 100 members. In January, we reached 433 members, making us one of the largest clubs in Korea. How did this happen? Five years ago, we launched a five-year strategic plan for future growth. Here is the story behind our use of innovation to increase our membership.
Our first innovation happened after I met Tae Gyu Baek and his sister Da Ae Baek approximately four years ago. I still vividly remember the enthusiasm we felt at our first meeting. We were very well connected as we had the same vision for service. I immediately began mentoring them, every week, both professionally and personally. Soon, they joined our Rotary club and established a community service corps within their private company, actively participating in service projects.
Subsequently, that community service corps evolved into a satellite club, Allkey, the first we ever sponsored, launched in February 2021. It held its own regular meetings, and actively engaged in its own service projects. But Allkey members also frequently attend our club’s meetings, participate in our service projects, and take part in our activities designed around member hobbies. Our club provides mentoring to Allkey members. And 10 members of our club joined the satellite to foster a connection.The two clubs create synergy and learn from each other. Allkey now has 106 members.
The second innovation unfolded when some members of our club, led by Pan Joon Lee, a musician and orchestra conductor, and N.T. Kim launched a second interest-based satellite club named Bravoce in February 2023. This satellite consisted of 62 professional singers who make up a beautiful chorus and sing for the public, at Rotary functions, and as a service to the poor.
In August 2023, 19 CEOs of global companies doing business in Korea, such as Pfizer and Novartis, created a third cause-based satellite club. Their primary role was coaching and mentoring members of our club and the other satellites. Then in October 2023, 54 college students created a fourth satellite club, which is likely to continue even after its members graduate from college. Our main club has consistently grown and now has 192 members.
The secret to our club’s growth boiled down to pursuing three “magical” steps, which any club can follow:
- Magic No.1
Focus on raising up leaders within your club who could serve as district governors. This will provide strong leadership within your club. - Magic No.2
Create a three- or five-year strategic plan. Continuity is the key. - Magic No.3
Create satellite clubs that will appeal to different interests within your community. Look for potential members who are business owners, CEOs, or people who share a profession or interest like singing. Starting a satellite club is easier than chartering an independent club from scratch, as they thrive on and grow with the support of the sponsor club. Someday, they may leave and become their own club, but that, too, is good.
Innovation is critical for the growth and sustainability of our clubs. We treat our club as a platform for members to grow and find happiness together. We emphasize not only increasing membership but also the personal growth and happiness of each member. We offer 18 sub groupings for members to satisfy their interest in various hobbies. Our members are the owners of our club. We firmly believe clubs exist for their members.
Let’s create magic by being innovative in our approach to every club activity, especially membership. Innovation is the hope and magic of Rotary.
Check out the guide to satellite clubs and find more membership resources to grow your club
https://blog.rotary.org/2024/02/13/3-magical-steps-to-grow-membership/