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Revised 8/2016
The purpose of this committee is to provide stability and
growth in club membership.
The changing needs of your club can be fulfilled by always
seeking new membership prospects in your community. The
size of your club and community determine which programs
will work best. More members mean increased fellowship
and community service, greater representation of Ruritan in
community projects, greater human resources for fundraising,
increased assistance to others, and more enthusiastic support
for the club.
Suggested Projects
1.Ruritan Student Program
Invite students(s) in school and college to become members of
your club. If possible, a minimum of two students should be
brought in at the time the program is initiated. It is suggested
that the club pay initiation fee and dues for first year.
Recommendations
a. Give formal installation and a lapel pin to new mem-
bers.
b. Indicate on the appropriate report that the club is par-
ticipating in Ruritan Student Program at the time the new
membership is reported.
c. Assign students to the Social Development Commit-
tee.
d. Work with youth as regular members to foster a spirit
of fellowship, goodwill, and community service.
e. Encourage students who leave the community/club to
attend college, etc. to consider transferring membership
status to member‑at‑large or transferring to another club.
2. Recruiting Members by Standing Committees
Each month a Community Service Committee has the respon-
sibility to bring in prospects.
3. Contest Between Club Membership
Sample Contest Rules
a. Establish teams. Competition is the motivator. Divide
the club membership into teams of three or more with
the captain of each team serving on the contest rules
committee. Each team should develop its own approach
for getting new members.
b. The Membership Committee should follow‑up at each
meeting. Consider the prospects, who were invited but
did not attend, as well as follow‑up on those who at-
tended but did not join. Assign someone else to visit this
prospect again to get a commitment.
c. Winners of the contest eat a meal provided by the los-
ers.
4. SHARE Program
This is a three month, three‑step program involving the
entire club membership, in enlisting new members.
Club Meeting‑No. 1
Club president explains the advantages of having additional
members share in club projects, etc. Invitations To Member-
ship are presented to club membership chair for later presenta-
tion to the club’s board of directors.
Between Club Meeting No. 1 and No. 2
Board of Directors’Meeting: Prospective members approved for
membership are presented to the club for their approval at Club
Meeting Number 2.
Club Meeting No. 2
The club membership is presented a list of prospective mem-
bers approved by the club’s board of directors. Prospective
members, approved by club membership, are sent a special
letter of invitation to attend next club meeting to enjoy the
meal and program. Members are assigned names of prospective
members and encourage them to attend the next meeting.
Club Meeting No. 3
a. Meeting conducted as usual by club president with a special
welcome to prospective members.
b. Business conducted as usual.
c. Membership Chair conducts the program for prospective
members (Show Ruritan video.)
d. Each prospective member presented material (“This Is
Ruritan” brochure, color Ruritan brochure, recent RURITAN
magazine, bylaws.)
e. Club president explains the value of membership in a Ruritan
club and how beneficial it can be to the entire community.
Prospective members are again informed that they have been
approved for membership.
f. Club treasurer informs prospective members of the fees and
dues.
g. Prospective members accept membership, pay fees and are
installed at the close of the meeting, assigned to committee,
and presented a new member kit.
Standing Committees of a Ruritan Club
(continued)
Membership Committee
Club