Recruitment:

All Rotarians are expected to recruit potential members by sharing information about Rotary and inviting guests to weekly club meetings. Members must recommend potential new members using the New Member Proposal Form. Once admitted to the club, sponsoring Rotarians need to provide mentorship to those they have recruited to the club.  New member proposal applicatons can also be made directly online.

The Rotary Club of Woodstock, VA invites individuals to join and become members.

Often a person being considered for membership is invited by a member/sponsor to attend one or more club meetings to learn more about Rotary. The sponsor may then submit the name of the candidate to the club's membership committee for follow-up. 

Before completing the membership application, a sponsor will inform the applicant of the responsibilities of membership, which include regularly attending the weekly meetings, paying dues, and being prepared to accept positions of responsibility in the club as their own time permits. The sponsor will assist the candidate with completing the membership application, which will be submitted to the Vice-President and Membership Director, who will forward it to the Club's Board of Directors for consideration.

The Board will consider the applicant for membership based on the membership application and knowledge of the individual. If the Board approves the applicant for membership, the candidate's application will be forwarded to the general club membership for its concurrence. This entire procedure takes normally two to three weeks during which the applicant continues to attend the club meetings.

Sponsor Responsibilities

Beyond helping introduce someone to our Rotary Club and shepherding that individual through the application process, the sponsor needs to help the new member become fully engaged with the club. This can be done through:

• Helping the new member meet other members by sitting with the new member at a different table each week. Everyone will enjoy the opportunity to meet and get to know our new member and get to know you better too.

• Meeting initially with the new member to review the Red Ribbon Program checklist (see below).  Encourage the new member to complete the requirements as soon as feasible.

• Having follow-up meetings with the new member, as needed, to review progress on the checklist and see what remains to be done while offering encouragement and suggestions as needed.

• Help new member select a committee to serve on and introduce them to the chair so the chair can explain the purpose and details of it.

• Show new member the usefulness of the club’s digital resources, including: 

• Website: www.GoWoodstockRotary.com (this website)

• Facebook Page 

• My Rotary: www.rotary.org/myrotary.  

Red Ribbon Requirements

While this list will be covered in the prospective member orientation session, sponsor follow-up can help the new member engage more quickly with the club. The goal is for the new member to complete these within the first three months.

1.     Attendance at a minimum of six Woodstock Rotary Club meetings.

2.     Attendance at a Board of Directors meeting.

3.     Visit to another Rotary Club with Sponsor or other Rotary Member.

4.     Sign-up for a Club Committee.

5.     Participate in a Club Activity.

6.     Attendance at an orientation meeting, where club activities and the purpose of Rotary is discussed.

7.     Introduce yourself to Woodstock Rotary Club members at a regular weekly meeting.

8.     Sit with at least four different tables for regular weekly meeting to get to know club members…

9.     Sign up to be a host for a weekly program

10.     Log onto DACdb and find the club membership listing. If possible, download the DACdb app on your phone.

With thanks to the Rotary Club of Boston, MA, and the Rotary Club of Parker, CO.
Approved by the Rotary Club of Woodstock Board, April 8, 2024