Become a Member

How do I become a member?

Let us know you’re interested!

We’re always on the lookout for people who have what it takes to make our club – and Rotary
International – a better, stronger and more vibrant organization. If you think we may be cut out
for each other, and you know a Northampton Rotarian, we encourage you to express your
interest to him or her. Alternatively, call our Club Membership Chair at , and they’ll get the
ball rolling for you. Either way, you will be assigned a sponsor who will provide you up front
with some basic information, guide you through the membership application process and answer
any questions you may have along the way.

Join us for lunch

So that we can get to know each other, your sponsor will invite you to attend a Northampton
Rotary Club lunch meeting (our treat). Except during summer months, we generally meet for a
buffet lunch and club activities every Monday at noon in the beautiful Hotel Northampton. Most
weeks we schedule an interesting guest speaker address us on a topic of Rotary or community
interest. (Recent speakers have included Northampton Mayor Claire Higgins, local author and
historian Susan Lewis Well, and Pioneer Valley Red Cross Executive Director Rick Lee.)
Occasionally we simply discuss club business. Either way, you’ll enjoy interesting conversation
with our Rotarians and a delicious hotel-catered meal. And, odds are, you’ll learn a thing or two
about our club!

Pre-induction chat; pre-application; and two more lunches

If after your first lunch with us it seems that you and Rotary might be a good fit for each other,
your sponsor, together with one or two other Rotarians, will take another opportunity to meet
with you to discuss our club and Rotary International in greater depth. This “fireside chat” will
touch on a range of topics such as Rotary’s history and mission, our club’s activities, and the
benefits, responsibilities and costs of membership. This meeting will also be an opportune
occasion to address any additional questions you may have about our club, Rotary International,
or the Rotary Foundation. Your sponsor will also ask you to complete a simple pre-application
form, the purpose of which is to provide our club’s Board of Directors with basic information
about you.

Board approval and induction

After you attend two more lunches (preferably consecutively) at club expense, your preapplication
form will be distributed to our membership for comment. Then, at the next meeting
of our Board, your sponsor will move for your admission.
If your application is approved, congratulations: you’re a member! At the next club meeting,
expect to be inducted by means of a simple but solemn ceremony during which you will be
presented with membership materials and asked to give a short speech highlighting your personal
and professional achievements. We welcome your family to attend.