E-068 · Theme 2 · Social Connection & Bonding

Member-Hosted Meeting

Use Member-Hosted Meeting to create genuine friendships and informal connections beyond the formal meeting agenda.

What could this idea change?

It helps more people feel known, valued and able to take part in ways that work for them.

It may suit: Members at the relevant stage of their club experience, including people who may not yet feel fully connected.

A simple way to start

  1. Invite member proposals using a short prompt, publish the available support and choose a host through transparent fit criteria rather than popularity or seniority. Who could lead it: Program chair
  2. Co-design the purpose, agenda, host decisions, club-held responsibilities, budget, content boundaries, access and withdrawal point in a written agreement. Who could lead it: Member host and meeting producer
  3. Check speakers, activities, stories, media, rights, advice boundaries, safety and accessibility, obtaining required approval or replacing unsuitable elements. Who could lead it: Governance and access leads
  4. Rehearse the opening, transitions, questions, timing, technology and fallback, and agree private signals for help, pause, shortening or handing back to the producer. Who could lead it: Member host and meeting producer
  5. Let the member host lead within the agreement while the producer quietly manages access, time, conduct, safety and any issue requiring an authorised officer. Who could lead it: Member host and meeting producer

What should we look for?

  • After 90 days, review Member-Hosted Meeting. Look for repeat participation, new connections across existing groups and members choosing to organise the next activity together.
  • Hosts drawn from varied tenures, backgrounds and preferred formats rather than the same confident speakers.
  • Each host confirming before and after the meeting that decisions, support, workload and withdrawal rights were clear.
  • Attendees reporting a useful different perspective and an accessible way to participate.
  • Content, rights, safety, privacy, conduct and technical issues closed before the format is repeated.

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?