Starting New Clubs
WHAT WE DO: The New Club Development Task Force is comprised of experienced Rotarians who are laser focused on providing support to Districts and individuals desiring to create new Rotary Clubs. Task Force members have a variety of sharable tools and resources designed to assist districts in locating opportunities for developing new and innovative clubs.
HOW WE CAN HELP: Team members have a variety of online tools that can easily be shared with district new club advocates, new club champions, along with the Governor line. These tools encompass best practices, resource guides, checklists and inspirational videos uniquely designed to guide individuals through the new club development process. Additionally, Task Force members work as coaches throughout the process to support, encourage, and brainstorm challenges and opportunities encountered throughout the new club development process.
KEY PROGRAMS for 2022 –2023
- Support districts to update and execute their multi-year plans to build new Rotary Clubs.
- Support District Advocates and new Club Champions who are leading the local effort of developing new Rotary Clubs.
- Develop and share best practices in developing and supporting new clubs.
- Connect District Advocates with peers to share ideas and challenges.
- Lastly, celebrate with districts and clubs when new clubs are chartered and help ensure the new club is nurtured to sustainability.
What an amazing time to start a new Rotary club!
The time is now, and we are the ones. We have the flexibility to create clubs of the future. The diversity of how new clubs will be relevant and impactful in our communities will be exciting to watch.
People want to connect and serve. Let’s start and support innovative clubs that meet online some or all of the time, clubs that meet every other week, or in different ways. Our challenge to start new Rotary clubs that fill the needs of friendship and service never rests.
There may be interest in starting clubs that are “cause” based, such as clubs that focus on Veterans, youth homelessness, human trafficking, environmental sustainability, or other causes. Some clubs may be based on a common interest, like the E-Club of Aviation or hobbies like hiking.
Clubs might meet at different locations once a month in the evening, with a second meeting planned for a service project or a social event which may include families with children. . The club options are only limited by our imagination.
New Rotary Clubs:
Starting a new Rotary Club 101
Grow Rotary:
Rotary Membership Anytown
New clubs can meet needs that are not currently being met.
Perhaps there is not a Rotary club in your community, or maybe there is room for an evening club or a club that is less expensive.
There are so many ways to start Rotary clubs that provide opportunities for friendship, relationship, leadership, and business connections, in addition to many creative ways to serve our communities.
If you would like to discuss starting a new club, please reach out to newclubs@zone2627.org or take a bit of time to explore the other resources on this page.
Together, we see a world where people unite and create lasting change—across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Cattherine Gibson | District Club Builder Program Coordinator
In 2000 Catherine Gibson joined the Rotary Club of Seattle. Over the years, she served in
multiple roles including President of the club’s foundation, Board Chair, and as the club’s 107th
President in 2016-2017. As District 5030’s Governor during COVID (2020-2021) she championed
new clubs and enhancing Rotary’s public image around the greater Seattle metro area.
Gibson’s varied career spans 45 years and includes decades in corporate finance, international
development, management consulting and since 2010 business mediation. She serves on
multiple boards and is an active community volunteer. In tandem with her professional and
community pursuits, she is an avid mountaineer, bridge player and knitter. She and her
husband of 35 years live in West Seattle.
Ramesh Hariharan | New Channels Chair
Ramesh Hariharan, an entrepreneur, is the CEO of CompuSharp, a Silicon Valley tech company.
He started as a Rotarian in year 2000 in the prestigious 400+ member Rotary Club of San Jose.
In 2013 he moved to the Rotary Club of East Palo Alto Bayshore and grew it from 14 members
to 51 members. Then in 2016, Ramesh chartered a Passport Club, ushering in an innovative
concept to District 5170 using the new flexibility rules. To date, Ramesh has brought in over 350
members to Rotary. Ramesh and his wife Sobha are members of the Arch Klumph Society.
Incremental growth in Rotary has barely kept pace with natural attrition. He believes that we can grow Rotary by introducing new paths or New Channels into Rotary. Rather than bringing people to clubs, he took clubs out to the people, to their organizations and to their workplaces. District Governor Ramesh has been instrumental in chartering five new clubs, each with a unique value proposition. Rotary @ Silicon Andhra was created with a record 203 members, who are predominantly culture oriented. Rotary @ Rainbow was created to give a special place to the LGBTQ community. Rotary @ Art-of-Living has been formed to foster universal peace and joy via service. Rotary @ IEEE (Electrical and Electronics engineers) has been created paving the way for Smart Villages across the world. The Rotary Club of Silicon Valley was formed with JKYog, a global spiritual organization promoting physical and mental heal and wellness. All of them finding a bond in the core values of Rotary and in the motto of Rotary Service Above Self. These types of new channels have the potential to grow Rotary by thousands of new members. We increase the odds of witnessing breakthroughs when we consciously choose to break free from old patterns of thinking. DG Ramesh has demonstrated just that!