To

 

Chairman

THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

(Subcommittee of Club Service Committee)

The membership committee is com-
posed of a chairman (a member of the
club service committee) and such other
members as the needs of the local club
may require. In a small club it may
consist of but one member whereas in
a large club it may have several mem-
Bers.

The membership committee considers
all proposals for membership from the
_ personal side. It thoroughly investi-
gates the character, business, social and
community standing, the executive
position occupied and the general
eligibility of all persons proposed for
membership.

It reports its findings on all proposals
to the club board of directors.

When it approves, it needs only so to
mark on the proposal card. When it
does not approve, it makes a detailed
report for the guidance of the board of
directors.

Rarely is the complaint heard that a
membership committee has been too
exacting in considering the qualifica-
tions of a proposed new member. The
good name of the club is guarded by
the work of this committee.

Among the points to be determined
by the membership committee in the
consideration of a proposed member
are the following:

That his character and reputation be
above reproach.

That the standing of his firm or con-
cern in the eyes of the community in
general, of competitors, and of those
with whom the firm deals directly,
shall be of the very best.

That he be one of the responsible
heads of his firm and that he be able
to speak for it.

That he be able to meet promptly the
financial obligations of membership.

That he be able to attend weekly
meetings regularly.

That he be socially acceptable to the
members of the club.

The answers to many of the prob-
lems that will confront this committee

‘will be found in the pamphlet “Mem-

bership and Classifications in Rotary”
(No. 17) a copy of which should be
obtained from the club secretary. He
may get additional copies gratis if they
are needed.

It goes without saying that the mem-
bership committee needs to be thor-
oughly familiar with those clauses of
the constitution and by-laws which deal
with questions of membership. (See
Pamphlet No. 12, a copy of which will
be found in the club secretary’s office.)

Secret Membership Committee

It is the practice of some Rotary clubs
(from one-third to one-half of all of
them) to have secret membership com-
mittees. They favor this plan because
it shields the committee members from
pressure, which might be brought to
bear by members desiring to influence
the committee’s decision in favor of a
candidate for membership.

Clubs which do not favor the secret
committee argue that such a practice
offers an opportunity for the president
to exercise undue influence in prospec-
tive club growth. They say also that
a secret committee may act arbitrarily,
not being influenced by the opinion of
the membership generally.

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