歐洲的扶輪社增加且防止流失社員

European Rotary clubs gain and retain members

2001-02年，西歐的扶輪呈現大幅成長：在希臘社員人數增加15%；義大利與西班牙增加超過7%；奧地利與德國增加超過5%；瑞士增加率將近4.5%；比利時及英國超過3%；法國、荷蘭、蘇格蘭及威爾斯分別增加超過2%。

In 2001-02, Rotary in Western Europe grew impressively: in Greece, by 15 percent; Italy and Spain, more than 7 percent; Austria and Germany, more than 5 percent; Switzerland, almost 4.5 percent; Belgium and England, more than 3 percent; France, The Netherlands, Scotland, and Wales, each more than 2 percent.

這樣的成長促使扶輪全球社員增加率達到驚人的4.6%，總計增加5萬4,939名新社員(根據2001年與2002年6月30日的數字計算)。

That growth contributed to Rotary's stunning 4.6 percent worldwide membership increase, for a total of 54,939 new members, based on 30 June figures for 2001 and 2002.

未來的挑戰是防止流失社員，西歐在這方面向來十分擅長。

The challenge for the future is membership retention, an area in which Western Europe has already demonstrated great strength.

國際扶輪最近一項研究顯示，在1999年7月1日到2001年6月30日之間，某些區域退社的扶輪社員中，超過一半入社還不到3年。在歐洲，這個數字只有14%。

A recent RI study indicated that in some areas of the world more than 50 percent of Rotarians who terminated their membership from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2001 had been members for fewer than three years. In Europe, that number was only 14 percent.

國際扶輪負責比利時、廬森堡、荷蘭、瑞士、及法國部份區域的增加社員協調人安諾基(Gus Annokkee)表示，其他地方增加社員的競爭及噱頭可促成社員大幅成長，但往往無法持久，歐洲的扶輪社對於這點比較謹慎。相反地，歐洲扶輪社堅持審查能夠提升扶輪社品質的社員，保持扶輪引以為傲的聲譽。

Gus Annokkee, RI membership coordinator for Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and part of France, said European clubs were leery of the membership competitions and gimmicks that have spurred spectacular although not-always-sustainable membership growth elsewhere. Instead, Annokkee said, European clubs stick with the vetting of potential members who will provide quality to clubs and preserve Rotary's proud reputation.

他承認道：「在這個耗時的過程中，我們最終可能面臨被這名準社員拒絕的風險。可是這個風險是我們十分願意承擔的，因為我們知道答應加入的社員將可完全融入該社，增加該社的活力。」

"In this time-consuming procedure we are faced at the end with the risk that the candidate says no," he acknowledged. "But that's a risk we are quite willing to take, knowing that the potential member who says yes will fit perfectly in the club and will thus contribute to its vitality."

安諾基認為歐洲人十分認真看待扶輪社員 資格。他說：「隸屬於扶輪是一項榮譽。」

Annokkee contended that Europeans take Rotary membership quite seriously. "To belong to a Rotary club is an honor," he said.

至於留住扶輪社員，安諾基提供一個四海皆準的原則：「保留社員只有在活力充沛、活躍、強盛、運作良好的扶輪社才辦得到。職業活力與社區服務乃是成功扶輪社的關鍵元素。」

As for keeping Rotarians, Annokkee offered a universal formula: "Membership retention can only be accomplished in a vital, active, strong, well-conducted Rotary club. Vocational vitality and community commitment are key components of a successful club."