—RI News
We’re a young and jovial group, but I had trouble envisioning my infant blending in weekly. My concerns were unfounded; members’ welcome couldn’t have been warmer. Soon Wes had a better attendance record than many of the grown-ups. The wait staff started setting out a high chair for us in advance – near an exit, in case we needed to make a speedy departure. Rotarians joked that Wes was the founding member of a new club they called “Romperact.”
Rotarians often fret about the absence of 30-somethings. Some clubs have attempted to bridge the gap with less-frequent meetings or lower dues. Many others have worked to make Rotary more appealing to tot-toting families. Family-friendly clubs have reported success in gaining new members and keeping current ones.
Here are tips for making Rotary a family affair:
- Just bring ’em: Jack, 7, has long been a visitor to club meetings. He puts on a name tag and even contributes “happy dollars” when he has something to share. “Kids get it, and they do listen.”
- Hire Help: A Seattle club hired a sitter to help at its evening meetings. Parents and grandparents pay $5 per child and kids have a room of their own. At the start of each meeting, the children lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Think younger: Another key to the club’s success is child-oriented projects. Several times a year, the Rotarians and their families take a walk along a local bike path, picking up trash as they go. Last year, they installed swings for children with special needs at area playgrounds.
- Take a little vacation: District 7600 (Virginia) hopes to attract Rotary families to its October conference by holding it at a ski resort. “This is the first time conference that’s really promoted bringing children,” says PDG Bill Pollard. “We’re getting younger people involved in leadership positions, and they don’t want to leave their families all the time for Rotary.”