Our International President Shekhar Mehta has a theme for Membership – Each One, Bring One. August is Membership Month and provides a chance for all Rotarians throughout the District to think about all those friends, family, work colleagues and acquaintances who might be considered for Rotary membership.
Bring them along.
Great news, too, that Wendy Mildon, the wife of Past District Governor Grant Spackman has joined Rotary. Yes, she has joined Stortford Lodge Club. Welcome to Rotary, Wendy. You will already have an intimate knowledge of Rotary’s activities. Which is a wee reminder to Clubs – make sure that you welcome new members, get them involved, provide guidance to them on all things Rotary.
Rotary provides a variety of Club structures, meeting days and times to allow prospective members a chance to be involved. Our recently appointed District Membership Chairman – Johnny Dryden from Te Kuiti is enthusiastically reaching out to Clubs to assist them in increasing their membership, seeking additional Clubs in areas where Rotary is not held and introducing Satellite and Passport cubs where appropriate. He has, too, new Rotarians on his Committee and their first meeting together in Taupo on the 15th August will be focused on the ways and means of supporting Clubs to increase their membership.
Each One Bring One also relates to inviting people along to your meetings; to experience the atmosphere and listen to your speakers. If each of our members brought along visitors at least 4 times a year – this would spread the word about Rotary’s activities.
Already I’ve started my Club visits and the Hauraki Plains have been most hospitable in hosting me. The 5 Clubs combined project of building shelters in the Hauraki Rail Trail will provide great publicity for Rotary. My home Club of Taradale is currently focused on one of the Millennium projects – the planting of trees - with Dolbel Reserve on the outskirts of Taradale having 1500 native plants and trees planted there recently. I encourage all Clubs to ensure that they have an environmental project during the year.
Ross Pinkham
District Governor 2021/22
District 9930 New Zealand
Mob 027 2428089