A Letter from the President of Rotary International That Inspired Me:
Membership Development
To: New member sponsor
Dear Rotarian Hashim,
I just learned that a new member has joined Rotary thanks to your sponsorship. I want to personally thank you for extending the benefits of Rotary to those who share our ideals and can help us make an even larger impact on the world.
Rotarians, like you, are people of action. And the action you have taken to invite a new member to Rotary is deeply appreciated. Please ensure that all new members are introduced to the countless opportunities to engage and get involved, so they will ultimately remain a valued member for many years to come.
Thank you again for helping to grow Rotary.
Jennifer Jones
2022-23 President, Rotary
PS: I invite you to visit the Membership Society for New Member Sponsors and celebrate your fellow Rotarians who share your commitment to expanding our reach. When you’ve sponsored your 25th new member, your name will appear here as well. You can manage your preferences for displaying your name by going into your My Rotary Account Settings, under Sponsorship.
After reading the inspiring letter from Jennifer Jones, President of Rotary International 2022-2023, I was deeply motivated by her vision for membership growth and the importance of expanding Rotary's reach through new members. Her message reinforced my belief that every new Rotarian brings fresh ideas, energy, and opportunities for service. Inspired by her words, I set a personal goal to sponsor 25 new members into Rotary, a milestone that would qualify me for recognition at the Bronze Level in Rotary's Membership Society.
Achieving this goal requires dedication, perseverance, and countless conversations with prospective members. Throughout the year, I actively shared Rotary's values, service projects, fellowship opportunities, and the positive impact that Rotary has on communities around the world. I encouraged friends, colleagues, and community leaders to experience Rotary firsthand and discover how they could make a meaningful difference through service. By the end of the Rotary year in June 2023, I had successfully sponsored a total of 25 new Rotarians, reached my goal, and earned Bronze Level recognition.
Rather than viewing this achievement as the end of a journey, I saw it as the beginning of a greater commitment to Rotary membership growth. During the 2023-2024 Rotary year, I continued my efforts with renewed enthusiasm and sponsored seven additional members. This brought my cumulative total to 32 sponsored Rotarians, elevating me from the Bronze Level to the Silver Level in Rotary International's Membership Society.
While I am grateful for the recognition, the true reward has been witnessing these new members become active participants in Rotary's mission of Service Above Self. Each new Rotarian represents another individual committed to improving lives, strengthening communities, and promoting goodwill and peace. I remain thankful to Jennifer Jones for the inspiration her message provided and proud to have contributed, in my own way, to the continued growth and vitality of Rotary.
Story by: Hashim Taqvi