Providing my personal opinions on topics related to Rotary often provides me with interesting opportunities. Over the past few months several of those opportunities involve talking with members and leaders of Rotary clubs who are wrestling with problems that run the gambit from minor inconveniences to ones that threaten the very existence of the club. One fairly simple idea seems to run through all of these challenges; an idea that should be obvious. The idea I am thinking about is how many of our clubs operate without a plan. I suspect there are a lot of clubs who are having success because they have a plan, and even more who are following traditions, doing what they always do, and think of that as a plan.
The first sentence in the Object of Rotary ends with the words ‘as a basis of worthy enterprise’ suggesting the idea that a Rotary club is a lot like a business. So maybe the clubs facing challenges need business plans; maybe all Rotary clubs need a business plan.
To be useful a business plan for a Rotary club must be a written plan; a plan that describes the business of the club with an outline of the goals and services as a road map for future activities. It should not be a one-time activity to write the plan and file it away where it will never be seen again. A business plan should be a document that will grow with your club, undergoing constant tweaks as your club evolves through various levels of success over the years.
A business plan can provide a strong foundation for success because it forces you to think about where you are, where you want to be and how to get there. It all starts with identifying where you are right now. What is the actual situation of your club; the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats? Include all of the defining documents of the club as it exists.
Before you think about marketing, communication, service, financial and other components of your plan you will need an honest assessment of the demographics of the market for what you do; both services needed and potential members (customers) who will provide and pay for those services.
A good business plan will act provide a base line for making long-term plans for your club to be all that it can be; a written document that everyone can reference going forward for both implementation and improvement. It should provide the basis of developing better financial projections, customer service plans, membership development plans and better governance.
I am thinking this is a good idea whose time has come.
You’re the grtesate! JMHO