New Member Information

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Membership Options

 
The Rotary Club of The Woodlands provides two primary membership options: Luncheon and Rotary After Hours (RAH).
 
 

Luncheon Membership.

Our Luncheon membership is focused on our members who can meet for our weekly Thursday luncheon at noon. Membership dues include the lunch provided during our meeting. These meetings are open to the general public, though attendees must purchase the meal.
 

Rotary After Hours. 

Rotary After Hours membership was created to provide an opportunity for professionals to serve and meet outside business hours. RAH holds two meetings a month. One meeting is a social meeting, and the other is a guest speaker meeting. The Club provides appetizers, although attendees purchase their own meals and drinks. RAH club dues do not include the Thursday Luncheon meal, though the meal can be purchased at the luncheon. All club members and the general public are welcome to attend RAH meetings. There is no meal purchase requirement at RAH meetings.
 

Other Club Memberships.

The Rotary Club of The Woodlands also has honorary members and "Rule of 85" members. Honorary members are approved based on the process outlined in our Club Bylaws. The Rule of 85 members are Rotarians whose sum of their age and their years in Rotary totals 85 or more. 
 
 

Overview of The Membership Process

1. The Prospective Member must meet the qualifications for membership as detailed in the Club Bylaws:
 

An adult person of good character and good business or professional reputation.

2. The Prospective Member will attend at least one weekly lunch meeting or one Rotary After Hours (RAH) meeting before submitting their application.
 
3. The Prospective Member will attend a Prospective Member Meeting with the Membership Director to receive their application. This meeting can be held via phone, video conference, or email. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that prospective members understand the commitment and membership process, and to give them an opportunity to ask questions to the Membership Director about the club. 
 
4. The Membership Director will collect the application and resume. 
 
5. The Membership Director will engage the membership committee to investigate and report to the Board on the eligibility of the proposed members from the standpoint of character, business standing, and general eligibility. This will be accomplished via an interview with the proposed member or the
The board will also consult, where appropriate, with other club members regarding their knowledge of the proposed member.

6. At the next monthly Board meeting, the Board will consider and either accept or reject the application of the Prospective Member. The  Membership Director will notify the Prospective Member of the Board's decision.
 
7. Upon approval, the Membership Director will provide a Blue Badge form and will request the Prospective Member provide payment information. The New Member will also need to provide their preferred name, nickname, and job category for their Rotary Club badge.
 
8. A club representative will add the new member to our website and provide them with their login information to complete their profile. The Membership Director will also provide the new member's information to the Treasurer for billing purposes.

9. The Vice President of Membership will make the necessary arrangements to have the new member formally pinned or inducted at the next induction meeting. At their induction, the new member will receive a Rotary Pin and a Certificate of Membership and be asked to make a short biographical statement to the Club.

10. The newly inducted member will immediately proceed with the steps to earn their Blue Badge. There is no requirement for a club member to change to a Blue Badge. The Blue Badge is how our club recognizes our membership for their service and commitment to service.
 

New Member Information

As a new member, you'll get a chance to become more involved in your community and to provide aid to other parts of the world through the opportunities that your Rotary club and Rotary International offer.

Longtime Rotarians agree that involvement is key to getting the most out of membership. Volunteer to serve on a committee that meets your interests, to be a greeter for weekly club meetings, or to join a service project team. These activities will help you get to know your fellow club members and better understand the work of Rotary.

 

Red Badge vs. Blue Badge

New members are given a red badge when they are inducted into the Club. They earn their blue badge, which indicates that they have met the minimum requirements, as a new member of the Club, through various service projects. Ideally, a Blue Badge is earned within the first six months of membership. The New Member must track their club participation and submit the Blue Badge application form to the Club Secretary.
 

Blue Badge Requirements

 
Some of the requirements to earn a Blue Badge include volunteering at one of our fundraising events, leading the pledge of allegiance, and attending our Newbies Meeting. To Learn more about the requirements, view the Rotary Red to Blue Badge Form. 
 

Newbies Club Meeting

The Newbies Club specializes in bringing prospective, new, and existing members together and getting members acquainted with the details of The Rotary Club of The Woodlands.  Newbie Meetings are held four times per year. Please follow our Calendar and Events page and our email bulletins for the upcoming Newbie Meeting date. Your first Newbies Meeting also counts towards your Blue Badge requirements.

 

The agenda for Newbies Meetings typically includes the following key points:

- Round table introductions.
- Overview of our Club and Rotary International.
- Overview of the Red to Blue Badge process.
- Overview of meeting times and opportunities.
- Review of existing committees.
 

Newbie Links:

- Sign up for Greeter, Invocation, or Pledge via our shared Google Doc: Woodlands Rotary Greeters and Pledge Prayer Volunteer Sheet

- View our Avenues of Service page to learn more about volunteer, service, and leadership opportunities and committees within our club. 

- Visit and follow our Calendar and Events page. 

- Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rotaryofthewoodlands

 

If you would like more information about our Newbies Meeting, contact Ryan Mathes. 

Ryan Mathes

ryan.mathes@theswa.com

Office:  281-362-1995 (tell them you are calling about Rotary) 

Ryan Mathes

 

How to Meet Other Rotarians

 

Rotary’s global network provides a great opportunity to expand your contacts and friendships to other countries while creating a foundation of support with communities around the world.

 

The Rotary Club of The Woodlands offers volunteer, service, and social opportunities, providing members with an opportunity to connect with fellow Rotarians.

As a Rotarian, you are welcome to attend any Rotary Club worldwide. If you plan to visit another club, please request from the Club Secretary a Club Flag to uphold the tradition of sharing flags across the globe. 

Here are some of the best ways to meet other Rotarians:  
- Club Meetings. Attend regular meetings at your home club or visit other Rotary Clubs locally and globally.  
- District Conferences. Participate in regional gatherings to network with Rotarians from different clubs within your district.  
- Rotary International Convention. A global event where thousands of Rotarians meet, exchange ideas, and celebrate service.  
- Rotary Fellowships, Join interest-based groups such as travel, wine, photography, or sports to meet members with similar hobbies.  
- Rotary Action Groups. Collaborate with Rotarians who share a passion for solving global issues, from environmental sustainability to literacy.  
- Rotary Youth Programs. Engage with younger generations through Rotaract, Interact, and RYLA, fostering mentorship and connections.  
- Service Projects. Volunteer for community initiatives—working together builds strong relationships. 
- Social Events. Join club-organized networking events, happy hours, and informal meetups.  
- Online Platforms. Connect through Rotary’s online networks, LinkedIn groups, and digital forums.  
 

Photo: Third Thursday Coffee Club.

 

Do you have an idea for our Club?

Bringing forward ideas is essential to keeping a Rotary Club dynamic, impactful, and engaging. When members contribute fresh perspectives, they help the club grow, foster community connections, and increase service opportunities. A strong idea can inspire others, solve local challenges, and make a meaningful difference. 

 

General guidelines:

Mission-Aligned. The idea should reflect Rotary’s core values of service, leadership, and fellowship. 
Community-Focused. It should benefit the club or the broader community in a meaningful way.  
Feasible & Sustainable. A well-thought-out plan includes resources, funding, and long-term viability.
Inclusive & Engaging. It should encourage participation and collaboration among Rotarians and community members.  
Innovative & Inspiring. New perspectives keep our members excited and motivated to contribute. 
 
Although not all ideas may be implemented, our Club actively encourages members to share their proposals with the board. The board may request further details or a presentation outlining the project's scope and associated costs. Ideas can be shared with any board member.
 

Photo: Holiday Potluck event at Yes To Youth Bridgeway Shelter.

 

Rotary International and ClubRunner Sites and Apps

Rotary International Website

The Rotary International home page, www.rotary.org, connects members with global service initiatives, including polio eradication, disaster relief, and community development. It features news, success stories, and leadership opportunities for Rotarians. Visitors can explore Rotary Fellowships, Action Groups, and ways to engage in volunteer work. The site highlights upcoming events, such as the Rotary International Convention, and provides club management resources. It also reinforces Rotary’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion across communities worldwide. 
 
 

My Rotary Website

My Rotary website, my.rotary.org, is a subset of the Rotary International Site. Note that it uses a different login than The Rotary Club of The Woodlands website/ClubRunner. While most of the content within My Rotary is available either within The Rotary Club of The Woodlands members portal, My Rotary has an extensive Learning Center with online courses in a wide range of topics including Leadership, Public Image, Professional Development and more. 
 
 

Rotary International YouTube Channel

The Rotary International YouTube page, youtube.com/@RotaryInternational showcases inspiring stories, global service initiatives, and leadership opportunities for Rotarians. It features videos on community projects, humanitarian efforts, and Rotary’s mission to create lasting change. Key topics include polio eradication, clean water access, education, and peace-building. The channel also highlights Rotary Fellowships, Action Groups, and member experiences, offering insights into how Rotarians unite to make a difference. 

 

Social Media

Rotary International has content posted on all major platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also follow The Rotary Club of The Woodlands on most of these social media platforms.
 

ClubRunner App

The ClubRunner App keeps members connected with their club and district while on the go. Users can easily search the member and executive directory, access contact details, call or text members, and add them to their contacts with one click. The app also provides updates on club and district news, upcoming events, guest speakers, and attendance tracking, making it a convenient tool for staying informed and engaged.

 
 
 
Last Updated: G Brown 2025-05-07