New models, new members, same purpose!

Companion clubs are redefining Rotary’s future, offering flexible, inclusive models that fuel growth, retain members and spark new energy in clubs worldwide.

WORDS: Patrick Logano. North American Club Creation Team.

Let’s be honest, Rotary clubs don’t need more reports. They need a revolution.

For years, we’ve watched the numbers and wondered where everyone’s going. But here’s the truth: Rotary isn’t shrinking because new people don’t care, or members don’t want to be there anymore. It shrinks when we don’t offer choices for people coming into Rotary and options for our members before they leave.

Companion clubs are changing that fast. Across North America, companion club models, like the service-focused IMPACT Companion Club, are exploding in growth. They attract the people Rotary has struggled to reach – young professionals, busy parents and under-represented professions (such as teachers), all purpose-driven leaders who want to serve, just not in a one-size-fits-all structure.

Companion clubs aren’t separate. They’re part of your club. Every member of a companion club counts toward your club’s membership. That’s right, they don’t compete, they complement. They’re not a threat to the club’s legacy; they’re fuel for your club’s future. And they’re working.

In North America, hundreds of companion clubs have already launched. Host clubs are seeing both powerhouse growth and slowed attrition. Impact is rising. Energy is back. Not because we lowered expectations, but because we removed barriers to service.

Here’s what we’ve learned: You don’t need permission to innovate. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to start.

So, ask yourself:
  • Who isn’t in our club? Who should be?
  • What kind of companion club would reach them?
Don’t wait! Don’t wait! Don’t wait!

The South Pacific Club Creation Team (Zone 8 Regional Council Membership Team), led by Past District Governor Andy Rajapakse, is ready to do it with you. No pressure. Just a conversation, a ‘Step One’ if you will – one of only four simple steps that take you from conception to practice. Rotary’s next era isn’t coming from the top down. It’s rising from clubs that are bold enough to try something new and kind enough to create space for people who’ve felt left out for far too long. Your time in history is now.

This isn’t a trend. It’s a movement. And it’s already changing Rotary for the better. The future isn’t something we inherit. It’s something we build. Let’s build it together. Let’s start building now.

To get in touch with your Zone 8 Membership Team, scan the qr code or visit bit.ly/newclub-aug25