Will AI replace the DG?Visiting our Clubs is among the most rewarding aspects of being District Governor. Each Club is unique, with its own personality, culture, and strengths. Connecting with our members, both those whom I’ve met previously and those who I am meeting for the first time, is truly an honor and privilege.
I asked these AI tools several questions which were posed to me by Club members during my visits. These included how to ask someone to join your Club, how to create an elevator speech to describe Rotary, how to create a membership recruitment plan, how to create a strategic plan, how to ensure your Club is welcoming, how to attract younger members, and more. I collected all of the AI’s responses to these questions and put them into a document you can download from here.
Now, here’s the thing. All the answers that Chat GPT and Bing provided are both useful and timely. Any Club could take these suggestions and apply them to build processes and messaging to enhance membership recruitment, planning and many other aspects of Club operations. You see, as advanced as these AI tools have become, running our Clubs is not rocket science. Chat GPT, Bing and other AI tools rapidly survey vast amounts of information the internet, extract the relevant information and then present it in an organized manner. Their input comes from information we already know that we simply need to organize and put into practice.
As an example, I asked Chat GPT to Create A Rotary Elevator Speech. Here’s an excerpt from its response:
Through our Rotary Club, we are dedicated to service above self, and we work tirelessly to address pressing issues like education, healthcare, clean water, and poverty alleviation. We believe in the power of collaboration, and our club provides a platform for individuals like you to come together and create meaningful change.
Whether it's through our local community projects, international initiatives, or leadership development programs, joining [Your Rotary Club Name] Rotary Club is your opportunity to be part of a global network of problem-solvers who are committed to making the world a better place. We welcome you to join us, share your talents, and contribute to the greater good.
I also asked Microsoft’s Bing AI to create a Rotary Club membership plan. It came back with a plan that includes a vision statement, and specific, measurable goals which included membership targets. Bing’s plan discusses diversity, considers alternative membership types, and suggests 10 specific strategies any Club could implement to enhance attraction and engagement.
You can read all the questions and answers I asked the AI tools by downloading this document.
So what’s the point of this exercise? I’m not particularly worried about whether I’ll soon be replaced by an AI, but I do worry about the health of our Clubs. As I visit Clubs in our District and beyond, one thing has become abundantly clear. Those Clubs which implement a plan are always the most successful. Hoping for a membership increase is not a plan. Hoping for a better fundraising result is not a plan. Hoping for increased community engagement is not a plan.
Success comes to Clubs who articulate a vision, specify goals, identify actions to meet those goals and then adjust as results inform progress. And it also comes to those Clubs who realize that there is no finish line – that our missions of growth, engagement and service are continuous and ongoing.
The information we need to create successful plans for our Clubs is readily available, and we’d welcome the opportunity to provide guidance. I look forward to working together as we plan to Create Hope in The World.
Yours in Rotary,
DG Elliott