MOMENTUM
“Moving Rotary Membership Forward in District 5520”
 
 
WELCOME TO MOMENTUM

This first issue of MOMENTUM is dedicated to strengthening, inspiring and advancing
Rotary membership across District 5520. MOMENTUM is designed to be a practical, energizing resource focused on membership growth, engagement, and retention. Each issue will feature
real stories from District 5520 clubs, actionable strategies and highlights of members who are
making an impact.

In this Issue, you will find:

7 Tips for Rotary Membership Success
Membership Achievements Around the District
Growing membership through a Rotary Satellite
“Ask The Committee!” Q and A

Thank you for your commitment to Rotary and to building strong, vibrant clubs across District 5520.

Kathie Williams, District 5520 Membership Chair 2025-26

kathiewilliams46@gmail.com

 

7  QUICK TIPS FOR ROTARY SUCCESS:

BE VISIBLE:  Attend community events and proudly represent Rotary

INVITE OFTEN:  Keep Rotary top of mind and invite friends, associates and neighbors.

ENGAGE QUICKLY:  New members should be asked to join a committee right away

PROMOTE PROJECTS:  Use social media and local news to share your club’s impact*

CELEBRATE WINS:  Recognize milestones and achievements to build pride

PROVIDE CONSTANT COMMUNICATION:  Make sure members feel connected

STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS:  Use Social gatherings to build goodwill

*District Governor Tom Simon reminds us that one of the most effective ways to increase membership is to invite people to come and participate in your projects — let them see you in action.”

 

ASK THE COMMITTEE:

 

Q.  What is the best way to invite someone to Rotary?

 

A.  Invite them to a service project or social event first.  Seeing Rotary in action is powerful.  Share something meaningful your club has done recently.  People respond to real impact.  Then extend a simple, genuine invitation—“Would you like to join us for a Service Project”.   Low pressure introductions often work best.  

 

Q.  What if someone says they don’t have time for Rotary?

 

A.  Acknowledge their concern, then explain Rotary’s flexibility, including Satellite options and other  smaller volunteer opportunities that might fit into their schedule.  Rotary is no longer one size fits all.  There are lots of different ways to involve potential new members today.  

 

Q.  How can our club attract younger professionals?

 

A.  Offer hands-on project, have shorter meetings, use digital communication and social media to highlight your club.  Show that you offer leadership opportunities and mentoring from business leaders in the community.  Younger members want action, not more obligations.  You could also consider starting a Rotaract Club at your local University or Community College.  

 

Q.  How do I handle leads that I get from Rotary International?

 

A.  Review the information to learn as much as you can about why the person said they were interested in Rotary.  Contact them with an email or phone call.  Give then info about your club and ask them to join you at an upcoming meeting or club activity.  Continue to follow-up with the person and thank them for coming and invite them back.  If they are a good candidate don’t forget to ask them to Join! Watch for an email with more details on a new RI Lead Program. 

 

Q.  Does a Rotary Club have to have Weekly Meetings?

 

A.  No, Rotary International now allows for more club Flexibility than ever before.  You can have twice a month meetings now and still fulfill your Rotary obligations.  Many clubs are going to this format due to job time restraints expressed by their members.  Clubs can fill in with service projects or social activities for the other weeks they don’t meet.  Most clubs have expressed great acceptance of this format, especially with their younger members that have joined recently.  

 

Q.  Why is it important to have a My Rotary Account?

 

A.  Signing up for a My Rotary Account with Rotary International is the best way to keep track of your Club goals but also gives you access to a wealth of Rotary materials available through the Rotary Learning Center.  It gives you access to Rotary Club Central where you can keep track of your club’s progress toward your goals. It is the only way that you can access valuable information to help make your Rotary club a success.  
MEMBERSHIP ACHIEVEMENTS AROUND THE DISTRICT:
 
SMALL BUT MIGHTY!
“How a Small club doubled their membership in one year.”

The Rotary Club of Raton is living proof that even small clubs can achieve big things! In
under one year, the Raton club grew from 11 members to 26. (More than doubling their
membership). President Jari Thymian played a major role in this success by getting out into
the community, having conversations and spreading the word about all the great things that Rotary can do. 
The club also increased its visibility through social media, community development, and by adding weekly speakers to their meetings. Their renewed energy and public presence sparked interest and inspired many people to join the group.
The Rotary Club of Raton shows that any club—no matter the size—can thrive with passion,
visibility and consistent outreach. Growing from 11 members to 27 members is quite an
accomplishment in one year, but one that has made the club once again an integral part of their community.
 To hear more how Jari and her Co-President continue to spark interest in the club you can contact her at jarithymian@gmail.com.
 


SHOWCASING YOUR CLUB ON SOCIAL MEDIA BRINGS BIG REWARDS

“How creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere on line and in person pays off”

 

Nancy Casas, President, of the Rotary Club of El Paso Zaragoza says her club uses their social media platform to showcase their involvement in community service projects.  Because their Rotary Club is very active in the community they chose to really highlight all the things that they are doing in a very visible way.  Their club is also known for collaborating with other organizations in the community and  that helps spread the word  even more.  

 They also pride themselves in gong out of their way to make visitors and guests feel at home when they come to the club…always inviting them to come back.  They also invite their speakers to come back and join in activities. Their focus on creating a meaningful member experience has paid off and they have inducted 3 new members already this year. For their club, membership is just something that happens when you are always creating opportunities for people to see your club in action.  

 If you want to visit with Nancy more about how you can promote your club you can contact her at nancy.casas@gmail.com 

 

IT’S OK TO ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN ROTARY

“immediate involvement in club activities can be a key to membership satisfaction”

 

The Rotary Club of Albuquerque Metro added two new members to their club this year when Club leaders Kristi Dimke and her husband, Mark,  took the opportunity to ask their friends if they wanted to join them in a weekend service project.  Kristi said that since their club is very hands-on service focused that it’s very easy to ask people to help with one of their numerous monthly community service projects.  Also adding, that asking them to also attend some of their social activities was also a good way for them to get to know people in the club.

 

The club really focuses on getting new members involved in club activities right away just proving that giving new members “a job and a friend” is really the way to assure a meaningful Rotary experience.  They also used this same technique when s possible transfer from another club was relocating to Albuquerque so they got her involved in club activities even before she transferred and this may have even influenced her decision to join their club.  

 

To learn more of Kristi’s great membership tips you can contact her at kdimke@gmail.com

 

HOW TO GROW MEMBERSHIP BY CREATING A ROTARY SATELLITE CLUB 

 

If your Rotary Club is looking for a way to expand membership quickly you might consider forming a Rotary Satellite.   A Satellite operates under an existing Rotary Club but offers a new meeting style, location or time—perfect for attracting members whose schedules don’t match the traditional model.  Satellite members are still part of your Rotary Club, but have more flexible meeting options.

 

What is a Satellite Club?

A Satellite Club is essentially a smaller version of a full Rotary Club, with its own Chairman, meeting format, bylaws and service focus.  Members are Rotarians of the main club, but maintain an autonomy while benefiting from the sponsor club’s structure and mentorship.  

They might meet for breakfast, in the evenings or even on the weekends.  Most Satellites focus on hands-on service projects rather than weekly meetings or speakers.  

 

How can you start a Satellite club?

If you have members interested in your club that cannot attend regular meetings or people currently in your club that need a more flexible option due to family or work obligations they are possible candidates for a forming a Satellite.  It only takes 8 members to start a Satellite.

So form a task force and start looking for those people that want to serve Rotary, but just can’t make your current club structure work.  Flexibility is the key to forming a Satellite that works separately from your club but in unison with your purpose.  You might also look to members that have left the past few years and see if they might want to rejoin under this new structure.

 

The Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte has had a successful Satellite for over 8 years now.  Originally formed by a group of people whose careers did not allow for a lunch time meeting, but who wanted to be Rotarians, it has been a smashing success.  The group now boasts 25 members and primarily functions as the community service arm of the club.  Del Norte has found a way to use the Satellite structure to increase membership, by creating a flexible format accessible to more people.  

 

AG Marty Padilla is the driving force behind the Del Norte Satellite.  You can contact Marty at marty.padilla62@gmail.com