Club within a club concept keeps members engaged

The Midtown Cricket club within a club unites cricket lovers for friendly weekly matches, while also hosting larger events that raise money for The Rotary Foundation.

By Subbarao Ravuri, foundation chair and executive secretary of the Rotary Club of Vijayawada Midtown, Andhra Pradesh, India

When our Rotary Club of Vijayawada Midtown chartered in 1985, it started modestly – just 33 members with big dreams.

Over the years, the club grew, and in 2018, we reached an incredible milestone: becoming the largest Rotary club with 650 members. Today, with more than 750 members, we continue to hold that title with pride.

People often ask me – what keeps so many members motivated, encouraged, and united for so long? The answer is simple, yet powerful: our club within a club concept.

What club within a club means

The idea is both simple and transformative. Within our large club, members who share common interests – sports, music, business, or health – come together to form smaller circles that function like mini clubs within the main one. These clubs within the club create focused spaces for fellowship, fun, and shared purpose. They give every member a chance to connect in a way that feels personal and meaningful.

The club within a club model helps every Rotarian find their own space to connect, serve, and grow.

The Drink Dine Dance event raises funds for polio eradication.

Finding fellowship in shared passions

Here’s a glimpse of how our Midtown members stay connected and engaged through their interests:

• Midtown Cricket Club (MCC):
  Cricket lovers play weekly friendly matches and host the Midtown Premier League (MPL) – a 20+ team event that raises significant funds for The Rotary Foundation.
• Midtown Badminton Club (MBC):
  Where fitness meets fellowship. The Midtown Badminton League (MBL) blends sport and service, supporting Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.
• Midtown Music Club (MMC):
  Brings members and families together twice a year for joyful evenings of rhythm, harmony, and fellowship.
• Rotary Means Business (RMB):
  A dynamic networking platform where members present their businesses before more than 200 Rotarians. It’s strengthened trust, created collaborations, and even launched new ventures – proving that enterprise and fellowship can thrive together.
• Midtown Yoga Club (MYC):
  Promotes daily wellness and mindfulness – because healthy Rotarians build healthier communities.
• Beer Boys Club (BBC):
  A light-hearted fellowship group whose annual Drink-Dine-Dance (D3) event raises funds for Rotary’s campaign to eradicate polio.

What makes it work

The club within a club model has done more than add fun to our Rotary life – it’s transformed engagement and retention.

Here’s how it’s made a difference:

• Families got involved, turning Rotary into a shared joy.
• Friendships deepened, lasting far beyond meetings.
• Members stayed active, finding belonging in smaller circles.
• Contributions to The Rotary Foundation grew, powered by enthusiasm and purpose.

What began as an experiment became a proven model for sustainable growth and vibrant fellowship.

Simple structure, strong results

Each club within a club is self-managed, led by a small team and headed by a chairperson. Activities are planned in coordination with the main club board to complement, not compete with, Rotary’s calendar. A modest membership fee supports operations – for example, the Midtown Cricket Club collects ₹3,000 (about US$34) annually to cover ground rent, equipment, and refreshments. This structure keeps things light, efficient, and focused on fun and fellowship.

Our club within a club idea has caught the attention of many clubs in Rotary District 3020 and beyond. By creating multiple ways for members to connect and serve, Vijayawada Midtown has shown that when Rotarians bond beyond meetings, Rotary itself becomes stronger, livelier, and more impactful.

At Midtown, every passion finds a place, every member finds meaning, and every connection strengthens Rotary’s purpose.

If your club is looking to keep members more engaged, consider forming your own club within a club model. It might just be the spark that transforms your Rotary family.

Subbarao Ravuri is a past governor of Rotary District 3020,  Zone 7 Membership Plan Lead, and current District Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee chair.