New members inducted at the Feb. 11 Bonners Ferry Rotary meeting signal growth of a service organization that, like many others across the nation, once faced challenges in attracting new participants.

“We’re hoping to double the size of the club,” said Rotary President Sandy Johnstone. “The more events we hold, the more funds we can raise, benefiting everyone in the community.” 

Each year, Rotary awards $10,000 in scholarships to local students. Over the past 18 months, the club has supported more than a dozen community programs. 

“Our community relies on organizations like this to support and uplift one another,” said former Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer, a longtime member and former president of the Bonners Ferry Rotary. “Service groups are essential in a community our size, where other programs may not be available.” 

Approximately 40 people attended the club’s last meeting at Mugsy's Tavern and Grill. That’s a big improvement compared to five years ago, when there were at times less than 10 attendees. 

The existence of Rotary clubs, and similar organizations nationwide, has been tested in recent years. Research from Robert Putnam’s book "Bowling Alone” shows a significant decline in participation in fraternal organizations since the 1970s. Groups like the Lions, Elks, Shriners, and Masons — which grew steadily in the early 20th century — have seen membership drop by 10 to 40 percent. 

In Bonners Ferry, the Lions club disbanded in 2019, donating its remaining funds and projects to Rotary. 

Johnstone attributes the decline in local service organization membership in recent years to COVID-19 and rigid membership requirements. 

“A lot of enthusiasm was lost when we had to hold Zoom meetings and couldn’t carry out activities that we once took for granted,” she said.

The Rotary also used to meet weekly, and members who missed a meeting had to make it up by attending one in a neighboring town. Historically, the club was mostly open to businessmen. 

Today, the only requirement for membership is a desire to be an active part of the community, and missing one of the club’s twice-monthly meetings is not an issue. 

“We recognize that the world has changed,” Johnstone said. “People’s daily lives have changed, and so we’ve adapted.” 

Johnstone anticipates even more new members will be inducted at the next ceremony.