Creating a vital club

PELD 2026

Rotary District 9675 | Presidents-Elect Learning & Development (PELD)
 

Overview

A vital Rotary club doesn’t happen by accident — it is intentionally led. This module supports Presidents-Elect to strengthen the club experience, deliver meaningful impact, and build a healthy culture that attracts and retains members. It aligns with Rotary’s Action Plan and focuses on practical actions you can take early in your presidential year.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the key characteristics of a vital Rotary club.

  • Reflect honestly on your club’s current strengths and opportunities for improvement.

  • Use Rotary’s Action Plan to choose a clear focus area for the year ahead.

  • Leave with a practical 90-day plan: one priority, two actions, and who you will involve.

 

Before you start

  • Your club’s most recent Club Health Check results (or a short summary of key themes).
  • A quick snapshot of your current club experience: meeting format, participation levels, and member engagement challenges.
  • A list of your key projects/activities (and which ones the community recognises most).

Rotary’s Action Plan: the four priorities

Increase our impact

Deliver service that matters, is visible, and achieves measurable outcomes.

Expand our reach

Grow inclusively, build partnerships, and connect with new audiences.

Enhance participant engagement

Create a club culture where people feel valued, involved, and supported.

Increase our ability to adapt

Strengthen flexibility, innovation, and continuous improvement.
 

What does a “vital club” look like?

  • Engaged members — people have roles, feel they belong, and enjoy Rotary.

  • Relevant service — projects respond to real needs and are visible in the community.

  • Strong relationships — fellowship inside the club and partnerships outside it.

  • Effective leadership — good governance, succession planning, and shared responsibility.

  • Adaptability — willingness to learn, try new approaches, and improve the club experience.

 

The 60-minute workshop (run-sheet)

  1. Welcome & context (5 min) – why club vitality matters and how Presidents shape culture.
  2. What is a vital club? (10 min) – characteristics of vitality: engagement, impact, relationships, leadership, adaptability.
  3. Action Plan focus (10 min) – choose the ONE Action Plan area that would make the biggest difference next year.
  4. Club Vitality Self-Check (15 min) – individual rating, then table discussion (strength, gap, opportunity).
  5. From insight to action (15 min) – identify one priority + two actions for the first 90 days (and who to involve).
  6. Close (5 min) – identify one conversation you will start back at your club and how you will measure progress.
 

Downloadable resources

  • Slide deck (District 9675) – Link

  • Facilitator Guide (Word/PDF) – Download

  • Club Vitality Self-Check (Word/PDF) – Download

  • 90-Day President Action Planner (Word/PDF) – Download

 

Reflection and action (complete after the workshop)

Use your Self-Check results and table discussion to capture a clear priority for the year ahead — then plan early actions that involve your Board and members.

Your club’s next steps

  1. Choose one vitality priority for the year (linked to one or more Action Plan priorities).

  2. Identify two actions for the first 90 days that create momentum (small, achievable, measurable).

  3. Assign an owner or small team (not just the President) to support implementation.

  4. Agree how you will track and report progress (e.g., monthly board check-in and member updates).

 

Suggested follow-up

  • Run a short “vitality check” discussion with your Board within the first month.
  • Invite member input on the club experience (what to keep, improve, stop, and try).
  • Identify one partnership or community connection opportunity to strengthen relevance and reach.
  • Revisit your priority mid-year to celebrate wins and adjust course if needed.

Back to Vital Clubs