Rotary bucks trend of dwindling clubs

As a cultural shift shrinks other service clubs and recruiting becomes more difficult, the Largo Rotary Club thrives.

By MICHAEL SANDLER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 21, 2002

LARGO -- Before he begins the weekly meeting of the Largo Rotary Club, Mike Whelan quiets the chatter from a dozen tables.

Punctuality is just one reason Whelan has managed to attract 24 new members this year while other service organizations, once cornerstones in the community, are slowly becoming relics of the past.

Just ask the Largo Lions Club. It could fit all its eight members at one table. Kiwanis of Greater Largo doesn't need to worry about noise. The club shut down last month, citing diminishing interest and fewer than a dozen members.

Rotary has stayed ahead of the curve by recognizing changes in trends and taking a global view toward recruiting.

"If you can point your finger at anything, people go where their needs are met," said Whelan.

Long ago, professional men felt obligated to join service clubs so they could give back to the community. Members led holiday parades, held pancake breakfasts and sponsored Little League teams.

Young men like George Feaster and Tom Thompson jumped at the chance to join service clubs in Largo. A preacher invited Thompson to a Kiwanis meeting in 1966.

"When I got there, I realized all the town's people in Largo were a member of the club," said Thompson, 64, a local funeral home director. "I felt very honored to be sitting with some of the dignitaries."

Feaster, who also runs a funeral home, joined the Largo Lions Club in 1957 so he could meet other business professionals. He was 21.

"When I went in, I was one of the youngest members," said Feaster, 65. "I'm still one of the youngest."

Both say recruiting has grown increasingly more difficult with each passing year, noting a cultural shift away from service clubs.

Most families rely on two incomes and split the chores in the evening, so few have time to make Wednesday night meetings.

People still volunteer, but now many bypass service clubs and contact organizations directly. Feaster cites his nephew, who passed on the Lions in favor of moving furniture four hours each week for Hospice of Florida Suncoast.

"I don't know if we are doing anything wrong," said Feaster. "Society has changed, business has changed, and the attitude of young people has changed."

Rotary clubs have noticed the trend, too. They have responded with an aggressive global campaign to revive interest.

The club aims to add 20,000 members this year to its 1-million members who belong to nearly 30,000 chapters in 163 countries.

Jared Brown, district governor for 44 chapters in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus, said Rotary must attract a new member every month to end the year with a net gain of five new members. That's because old members die or move away.

To do that, club presidents are urging members to press flesh. Call a business associate. Knock on your neighbor's door. Bring your wife to your next meeting.

"Why wouldn't you share that with someone?" asks Brown. "We all have a business associate. We all have a spouse. Why not share that?"

Al Comey is a perfect candidate. He's 32, a chiropractor in Largo and wanted to meet other professionals. He joined the Rotary last year.

"A lot of people helped me get where I am," he said. "This is a way I can give back."

The Largo chapter has 61 members, all of whom are required to attend the weekly lunch meeting. Those who do not attend must make the meeting up at another chapter, or risk losing their membership.

Whelan, who has a waiting list of potential members, said he has done his part by keeping those meetings to an hour. He also said people like the idea of one big fundraiser each year.

The annual Death by Chocolate dessert fest at the Largo Cultural Center helps raise money for Largo youth, such as for the playground the Rotary donated in Largo Central Park.

Among those in the club are Mayor Bob Jackson, Commissioner Charlie Harper and parks director Cathy Santa.

Whelan hopes the Lions and Kiwanis clubs rebound, and offered some advice.

"If a club is struggling, maybe they need to sit down and examine, "Why are we here, what are we doing, and where do we want to go?' " said Whelan. "I think civic organizations have a definite relevance in a community."

-- Michael Sandler can be reached at 445-4174 or sandler@sptimes.com.

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