Skills Matchmaker Survey

What could this idea change?

It gives the club a clearer view of people's experiences before decisions are made, including feedback that informal conversations can miss.

It may suit: Members seeking guidance or a new challenge, and the people offering practical support.

A simple way to start

1. List the specific matching decisions due in the next 90 days and remove any proposed survey field that will not change one of those decisions. Who could lead it: Project portfolio lead with privacy contact
2. Co-design the language and response options with a small mix of members, including people whose experience is often overlooked, and test whether the form feels like an invitation rather than an assessment. Who could lead it: Member experience lead
3. Publish the purpose, expected uses, who will see responses, retention date and correction or withdrawal route before asking members to complete the survey. Who could lead it: Privacy contact or club secretary
4. Collect self-described skills, interests, development goals, availability and preferred contact method; avoid free-text personal history unless a respondent chooses to discuss it privately. Who could lead it: Matching coordinator
5. Offer each member one or more possible opportunities with the role, workload, support and reason for the match, and let the person accept, decline, ask questions or suggest a different pathway. Who could lead it: Matching coordinator with opportunity owner

What should we look for?

• After 90 days, review Skills Matchmaker Survey. Look for suitable matches, regular check-ins and progress against goals chosen by the participating member.
• Survey fields linked to a current matching decision, with unnecessary fields removed before launch.
• Respondents who receive a clear match, an alternative pathway or an honest no-match update within 14 days.
• Proposed matches accepted after the member sees the workload, support and reason for the suggestion.
• Accepted matches that remain suitable at 30 days, plus corrections, withdrawals and retention actions completed on time.

Before we say yes

• Does it fit a real local need?
• Can people take part safely and fairly?
• Are the facts, permissions and Rotary branding right?
• Who will lead it, and when will we review it?