Somehow through my years as a volunteer in many different endeavors I’ve gotten the notion that I know how to generate interest about the organizations I’ve been involved in. In many cases I did this by writing articles about the organization, such as the YMCA, the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission, the Palo Alto Mediation Program and the Los Gatos Community Health and Senior Services Commission. The fact that nobody wrote back ridiculing me for what I wrote perhaps deluded me into believing I know how to market and promote stuff.
With this history as the backdrop, when I joined the Rotary Club of Los Gatos, I agreed to join the marketing and membership committees.
A few years into my membership in Rotary I was asked to chair the membership committee. I had little idea of what I would be getting into workwise, nor did I know that Lisa Norcia Cheskin, the outgoing chair of the membership committee, would, during her tenure, set a club record for new member enrollment. Always ready to face a challenge, I took the reigns as chair of the membership committee beginning July 1.
Having given my job duties serious consideration before commencing my term, I’m ready to offer my suggestions for a successful new membership recruitment drive this year. I’ve never been shy about thinking off the top of my head and sharing what I’m thinking. As a result, I figure that I’ve given my fellow Rotarians a few good reasons to laugh at me during my time as a Rotarian. Why not add a few more opportunities for them to ridicule me while I serve as chairperson of the membership committee?
Thus, with due consideration of the consequences, here are some of my new member recruitment ideas:
1. “Bring Your Pet to Rotary Day.” I envision a room full of well-dressed Rotarians accompanied by their furry friends, wagging tails, and all (cats being most prominent; after all, we live in a town otherwise known as “The Cats.”). It would be a heartwarming scene sure to boost attendance. Of course, I would let the local media know about this unique event. Perhaps Petco would sponsor our meeting? I wonder if this idea would be problematic, however. Would the dogs bark like crazy? Would the cats add their meows to the chorus? Better yet, how about organizing a Rotary Pet Parade through town? The pets could be dressed up in funny costumes! That might attract a crowd of potential new members.
2. A Rotary Karaoke meeting. This could attract a younger hipper group of prospective members to our meeting. After hearing a few off-key renditions of “YMCA” and “I Will Survive,” we might lose, rather than gain, a few members. So, bad idea.
3. The Rotary Club of Los Gatos superhero club. We could have “The Incredibly Punctual Man,” who is always five minutes early to meetings or “Captain Spreadsheet,” who is a master at organizing and analyzing data.
4. Advertising placard meeting day. Rotarians don large sandwich placards on their bodies advertising Rotary and walk the streets of Los Gatos.
5. A “Rotary Meme Contest” involving members of the public creating and submitting humorous memes relating to the Rotary Club of Los Gatos.
6. “Rotary Comedy Night” during which we partner with a local comedy club to host a night of laughter.
Not convinced to join? How about a Rotary scavenger hunt in town or a funny hat parade in town?
As you can tell, I am chock full of ideas and clearly up to the job of being the new chair of the Rotary Club of Los Gatos membership committee.
Having volunteered for the job without full awareness of what I was getting myself into, I nevertheless vow to embrace the absurdity, cherish the laughter, and believe in the transformative power of community. I am hopeful that it will be the most rewarding experience I never saw coming.
So, did I hear you say you want to join our Rotary club?
Jeffrey P. Blum is a family law mediator who lives in Los Gatos. He can be reached at bl*****@ao*.com.
