Rotary's "Your voice, your solution" asked for input on the following situation: A Rotarian comes to you to say he is resigning his membership as his family life and work commitments are too demanding. How do you convince him to remain a member?"
You will see my original response there. Let me build on it a bit more here.
One of the key values that Rotary promotes is respect. The Four Way Test is all about balancing internal versus external values and individual versus group needs. So how do we apply that thinking to this situation?
First, what is the truth? If they are truly leaving for personal reasons, then respect their decision. If they are leaving for other reasons than those stated, how will you find out? You might ask, "If you were to come back, what would have to happen?" There are likely two types of answers you will get: when their situation changes or when your Rotary club changes. Your club has no control over the first situation. So celebrate their service, thank them for their contributions, wish them well and move on. In the second case, the quality of their answer will really depend on how interested you are in their answer.
Are they informing you of a decision or asking you to explore possibilities with them? What is the truth in the matter?
Second, what is fair to all concerned? Is it fair for a person to spend more time with their family, or making a living - especially in a recession? Of course. Maybe, if the club had made spouses and kids an integral part of the club experience, there would not be a forced choice. What if the club made a greater effort to emphasize professional networking and development? Yes, that was part of Paul Harris' founding idea of Rotary. The key is how you do it. And many clubs do a great job of both involving family and encouraging professional success. How about yours?
Third, how can you create goodwill and better friendships? In other words, how can you make sure the relationship lasts beyond this moment? Joining Rotary is an important decision. Leaving Rotary must be equally difficult. If the member resigns but shows up at fundraisers and service projects, can your members welcome that person and celebrate those contributions? Will this decision be one that the member feels good about, knowing they are appreciated, respected and missed? Or will they think, "Thank goodness I quit. I really did not expect that kind of reaction." How does your club treat members who start to disappear, who don't show up at meetings? Do you even notice? How could you show how much you care before they choose to move on?
Fourth, will it be beneficial for all concerned? When members resign, I often find Rotarians thinking about the club, its headcount and its goals - and how this leaving member represents failure. But isn't Rotary about living high standards? Shouldn't we celebrate the fact that a member has chosen to live his or her values regardless of what it means to us? What if Rotary helped them reach this decision?
I expect that Rotary leaders will find more and more members who find that for whatever reason they cannot continue in Rotary. How will you respond? Will you leave them with a positive memory? Will you have a conversation that has that member eager to return? If you have been reading this blog for some time, you have heard me emphasize this before: Make it easy for people to bring out their best. Make it simple, easy, convenient and rewarding to be in Rotary.
I have yet to see a club that celebrates when a member leaves. Yes, what would it be like if we took a few minutes to recognize and honor the service and effort of every member who leaves? What if we took that moment to recognize the best that the person had to offer, the difference they made and the stories that stand out? What would be the effect on the remaining members?
Let's say it is a year from now and a friend of the former member asks, "I am thinking of getting involved in community service. What would he or she recommend?" Will that former member recommend Rotary?
- How do you create a great experience when members resign?
- Have you had success bringing them back?
