Factors Contributing to Rotary International’s Stagnant Membership Growth

Main Article Content

Konstantinos T. Kotsis
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1548-0134

Abstract

This paper explores the multifaceted reasons behind Rotary International’s stagnant membership growth over the last decades. A significant factor identified is the lack of outreach and marketing efforts, which has prevented the organization from effectively engaging with diverse communities and adapting to modern promotional strategies. This has resulted in a membership base that does not reflect the changing societal dynamics and fails to attract younger generations who prioritize different causes, such as environmental sustainability and social justice. Additionally, the challenges faced by smaller organizations, such as limited resources and niche appeal, are relevant to Rotary’s struggle to attract new members. External societal trends, including urban development and globalization, have altered community structures and priorities, further influencing membership dynamics. The paper highlights the importance of adapting to these changes by improving outreach efforts, addressing competition from other service organizations, and fostering strong leadership within Rotary International. The discussion emphasizes the potential strategies Rotary International can adopt to enhance membership growth, such as leveraging social networks, fostering organizational identification, and addressing diversity challenges. By integrating these strategies, Rotary can work towards increasing its membership and continuing its mission of positively impacting society.

Article Details

How to Cite
Kotsis, K. T. (2024). Factors Contributing to Rotary International’s Stagnant Membership Growth. Journal of Economics, Innovative Management and Entrepreneurship, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.59652/jeime.v2i4.326
Section
Opinion Article
Author Biography

Konstantinos T. Kotsis, University of Ioannina, Greece

Konstantinos T. Kotsis was born in Athens in 1959. He studied Physics at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. In 1985, he was an assistant researcher at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn Campus. In 1987, he got a PhD in X-ray Physics in the Physics Department at the University of Ioannina, Greece. From September 1981 to September 2000, he served as a Lecturer and Assistant Professor specializing in Solid State Physics and X-ray Diffraction at the Physics department of the University of Ioannina. Since 2000, he has served as a Faculty Member (Assistant Professor and Associate Professor) at the Department of Primary Education at the University of Ioannina. Since 2012, he has been a full Professor specializing in the Didactics of Physics and Teachers Education. He has much experience teaching in many University Departments, such as Physics, Chemistry, Informatics, Biological Applications and Technology, and Primary Education at the University of Ioannina and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He has published six books and three monographs. He participated in many conferences in Greece and abroad. His articles have been published in scientific International and Greek journals.       

References

Aitken, R. J. (2024). Population decline: where demography, social science, and biology intersect. Reproduction, 168(1). https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-24-0070 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-24-0070

Andrews, S.M. (2023). Strategic leadership, change and growth in not-for-profit, membership-based, value-driven organisations. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 36(4), 517–540. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-08-2021-0252 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-08-2021-0252

Anghel, V., & Jones, E. (2024). The enlargement of international organisations. West European Politics, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2024.2311044 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2024.2311044

Batti, R. C. (2014). Challenges facing local NGOs in resource mobilization. Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(3), 57-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20140203.12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20140203.12

Berryman, D. L. (2000). Riding the Winds of Change. Journal of Leisure Research, 32(1), 7–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2000.11949877 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2000.11949877

Biga, K., Spott, P., & Spott, E. (2015). Keeping people involved: Creating a new model for service organizations. American Journal of Management, 15(1), 84-93.

Brain, R. A., & Prosser, R. S. (2022). Human induced fish declines in North America, how do agricultural pesticides compare to other drivers?. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(44), 66010-66040. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22102-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22102-z

Burt, E., & Taylor, J. (2001). When “virtual” meets values: Insights from the voluntary sector. Information, Communication & Society, 4(1), 54–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/713768512 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/713768512

Bush, S. S., & Hadden, J. (2019). Density and Decline in the Founding of International NGOs in the United States. International Studies Quarterly, 63(4), 1133-1146. https://doi.org/10.1093/isq/sqz061 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/isq/sqz061

Chen, B. S., & Chen, S. H. (2016). Study on service satisfaction of Rotary club members by Importance-Satisfaction Model. International Journal of Research in Business Studies and Management, 3(6), 31-37.

Chen, Y., Mardjono, E. S., & Yang, Y. (2019). Competition and Sustainability: Evidence from Professional Service Organization. Sustainability, 12(18), 7266. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187266 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187266

Chitra, V., & Gokilavani, R. (2020). Effect of Brand Factors to Increase Brand Visibility and Out Reach. Shanlax International Journal of Management, 7(4), 62-68. https://doi.org/10.34293/management.v7i4.2185 DOI: https://doi.org/10.34293/management.v7i4.2185

Crittenden, W. F. (2000). Spinning Straw into Gold: the Tenuous Strategy, Funding, and Financial Performance Linkage. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 29(1), 164-182. https://doi.org/10.1177/089976400773746382 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764000291S008

Dolnicar, S., & Lazarevski, K. (2009). Marketing in non‐profit organizations: an international perspective. International Marketing Review, 26(3), 275-291. https://doi.org/10.1108/02651330910960780 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/02651330910960780

Donovan, S. K. (2009). A decline to nothing? The tenuous existence of the small journal. Learned Publishing, 22(4), 323-324. https://doi.org/10.1087/20090410 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1087/20090410

Du, Y., Chen, C., Zhang, X., Yan, D., Jiang, D., Liu, X., ... & Yang, S. (2022). Global burden and trends of rotavirus infection-associated deaths from 1990 to 2019: an observational trend study. Virology journal, 19(1), 166. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-022-01898-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-022-01898-9

Erhardt, G. D., Hoque, J. M., Goyal, V., Berrebi, S., Brakewood, C., & Watkins, K. E. (2022). Why has public transit ridership declined in the United States? Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 161, 68-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2022.04.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2022.04.006

Fang, D., Fombelle, P. W., & Bolton, R. N. (2021). Member Retention and Donations in Nonprofit Service Organizations: The Balance Between Peer and Organizational Identification. Journal of Service Research, 24(2), 187-205. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094670520933676 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1094670520933676

Fordham, T. (2006). Pedagogies of Cultural Change: The Rotary International Youth Exchange Program and Narratives of Travel and Transformation. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 3(3), 143–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766820608668492 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14766820608668492

Frey, B. S. (2008). Outside and inside competition for international organizations—from analysis to innovations. The Review of International Organizations, 3, 335-350. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11558-008-9045-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11558-008-9045-2

Gardner, S., F. (2006). Preparing for the Nexters. The American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 70(4), 87-87. https://doi.org/10.5688/AJ700487 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9459(24)07731-3

Gilleard, C. (2023). More age, less growth? Secular stagnation and societal ageing. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 43(1/2), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-09-2021-0228 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-09-2021-0228

Griffin, R. W., Hanna, A. A., Smith, T. A., & Kirkman, B. L. (2022). How bad leaders impact organizational effectiveness. In D. Lusk, T. L. Hayes (eds), Overcoming Bad Leadership in Organizations. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197552759.003.0012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197552759.003.0012

Gusfield, J. R. (1957). The Problem of Generations in an Organizational Structure. Social Forces, 35(4), 323-330. https://doi.org/10.2307/2573321 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2573321

Hankins, J. (2021). Responsibility beyond growth. A case for responsible stagnation: by Stevienna de Saille, Fabien Medvecky, Michiel van Oudheusden, Kevin Albertson, Effie Amanatidou, Timothy Birabi and Mario Pansera, Bristol, Bristol University Press, 2020, pp. 168, €19.99 (hardback), ISBN 978-1529208177. Journal of Responsible Innovation, 8(1), 131–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2021.1893121 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2021.1893121

Harris, A., Wyn, J., & Younes, S. (2010). Beyond apathetic or activist youth: ‘Ordinary’ young people and contemporary forms of participation. Young, 18(1), 9-32. https://doi.org/10.1177/110330880901800103 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/110330880901800103

Herndon, E. J., & Mikulas, W. L. (1996). Using reinforcement-based methods to enhance membership recruitment in a volunteer organization. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29(4), 577-580. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1996.29-577 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1996.29-577

Hinck, J. M. (2018). Understanding the Decline in Participation in Fraternal Organizations: A Mixed Methods Approach. University of San Diego. Dissertations. 109. https://doi.org/10.22371/05.2018.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22371/05.2018.008

Kamara, S., Bangura, I., Bangura, F., & Koroma, J. (2024). Exposing the damage caused by inadequate leadership in public and commercial establishments as well as potential solutions. European Journal of Political Science Studies, 7(1). https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejpss.v7i1.1657 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpss.v7i1.1657

Knoke, D. (2018). Changing organizations: Business networks in the new political economy. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429501753 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429501753

Lewis, S. L. (2012). Rotary International’s ‘acid test’: multi-ethnic associational life in 1930s Southeast Asia. Journal of Global History, 7(2), 302-324. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1740022812000083 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1740022812000083

Milbourn, B., Black, M. H., & Buchanan, A. (2019). Why people leave community service organizations: A mixed methods study. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 30, 272-281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-018-0005-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-018-0005-z

Moccia, S. (2018). Failure of Leadership. In S. Kunert (eds), Strategies in Failure Management. Management for Professionals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72757-8_6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72757-8_6

Musaigwa, M. (2023). The Role of Leadership in Managing Change. International Review of Management and Marketing, 13(6), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.13526 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.13526

Oliveira, B. C., Vidal, C., Pichardo, Y., Hahn, K., Locklear, C., Moore, J. J., Seixas, A., & Blanc, J. (2022). 0621 Overcoming Obstacles to Recruitment and Community Engagement During COVID-19 and Development of a Digital Community Outreach program. Sleep, 45(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsac079.618 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsac079.618

Oudenhoven, J. P. & Ward, C. (2013). Fading Majority Cultures: The Implications of Transnationalism and Demographic Changes for Immigrant Acculturation. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 23(2), 81-97. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2132 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2132

Pablos-Mendez, A., Radloff, S. R., Khajavi, K., & Dunst, S. A. (2015). The demographic stretch of the arc of life: social and cultural changes that follow the demographic transition. Global Health: Science and Practice, 3(3), 341-351. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-14-00175 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-14-00175

Reher, D. S. (2011). Economic and Social Implications of the Demographic Transition. Population and Development Review, 37, 11-33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2011.00376.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2011.00376.x

Rossi, L., Feiler, S., Dallmeyer, S., & Breuer, C. (2023). Organizational capacity building in non-profit sport clubs: exploring the role of competition as a capacity building stimulus. European Sport Management Quarterly, 24(4), 857–875. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2023.2203191 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2023.2203191

Schnable, A. (2015). New American relief and development organizations: Voluntarizing global aid. Social Problems, 62(2), 309–329. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/socpro/spv005

Shi, Y., Dokshin, F. A., Genkin, M., & Brashears, M. E. (2017). A Member Saved Is a Member Earned? The Recruitment-Retention Trade-Off and Organizational Strategies for Membership Growth. American Sociological Review, 82(2), 407-434. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122417693616 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122417693616

Solebello, N., Tschirhart, M., & Leiter, J. (2016). The paradox of inclusion and exclusion in membership associations. Human Relations, 69(2), 439-460. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726715590166 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726715590166

Turek, L. F. (2022). Rotary International and the Selling of American Capitalism. Journal of American History, 109(3), 693-694. https://doi.org/10.1093/jahist/jaac420 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jahist/jaac420

Zarwi, M., Marchand, S., Kennard, B., & Michael, J. (2022). Millennials and organisational commitment: current and future perspectives. Human Resource Development International, 26(5), 642–654. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2022.2157236 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2022.2157236