By Hashim Taqvi —
When I first joined Rotary in 2014, I immersed myself in the Rotary experience. I actively participated in our district’s events and training sessions and met amazing people. These opportunities and connections offered me invaluable insights into the world of service and leadership. I quickly and fully embraced Rotary’s mission, and inspired by my mentors, became a committed and impactful Rotarian.
During district training and interactions with senior Rotarians, I learned the importance of always wearing your Rotary pin. It’s not just a symbol of pride but also a conversation starter.
One day, my friend Tariq Shah noticed my Rotary pin and asked me about it. I took the opportunity to share the inspiring history of Rotary, how it came into existence, and the story of its first-ever project — a public washroom in downtown Chicago to address sanitation issues.
I also shared an impactful story about a combined project undertaken by nine Rotary clubs in Mississauga. We partnered with the Rotary Club of Myanmar to rescue 400 women from slavery, provide them with vocational training, and empower them with sewing machines to build a sustainable livelihood. It was a challenging yet rewarding project that was successfully completed, leaving a profound impact on the lives of those women.
Hearing these stories left a strong impression on Tariq Shah. Within a few days, he decided to join our Rotary club, inspired by the meaningful work we do.
This strategy of sharing Rotary’s history and impact has helped me sponsor many members, both friends and acquaintances. The stories of service and transformation resonate deeply and inspire others to join our mission of making a difference in the world.
Since then, I’ve sponsored 30 additional members and brought even more members into Rotary by chartering new clubs.
Here are some tactics that have worked for me over the years:
- Building relationships: I focus on nurturing genuine relationships and understanding individual passions for service. This has helped me connect prospective members with Rotary’s mission in a meaningful way.
- Highlighting the Rotary impact: I make sure that prospective members see the broader impact Rotary is having – from community initiatives to global programs – while making them feel that they too can contribute meaningfully.
- Engagement and mentorship: I encourage new members to participate in events and training sessions to build their confidence and engagement. Guiding them step-by-step helps them envision themselves as active Rotarians.
- Leveraging stories: Sharing personal anecdotes of how Rotary has transformed lives – both for those we serve and for Rotarians themselves – is a powerful motivator.
If you take the time to sponsor new members, your efforts will not go unnoticed. When I was approaching my 25th member, I received a letter from then RI President Jennifer Jones. When I continued bringing in new members and was recognized as a Membership Society member, I received a letter from past RI President R. Gordon R. McInally. I recently reached the silver level of the Membership Society for New Member Sponsors, a virtual gallery featuring members who have sponsored 25 or more members. This is an honor not only for me, but for my club, and district.
Learn more about the Membership Society for New Member Sponsors and visit the gallery at rotary.org/membershipsociety.
Hashim Taqvi is the immediate past president (2024-25) of the Rotary Club of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, in District 7080
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/02/11/4-strategies-for-sponsoring-new-members/