DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE – AUGUST
Being Membership Month, this is an opportunity for me to share key messages about the things that we can do to grow Rotary. In the first instance, we need to recognise that people have many competing commitments in life. Remember that no one is compelled to be a Rotarian: it is voluntary.
We know that we are looking for fun people who are community-minded, helpful and resourceful. As Rotarians we need to create a positive experience within our Clubs, one that is based on the Four Way Test where our actions are fair to all, build goodwill and better friendships and beneficial to all concerned. Once we acknowledge that, we can assert our reputation as being welcoming, diverse and inclusive into our communities.
Attracting members to join Rotary may well be easier than retaining them. With that in mind, we need to select our members carefully. Make sure that they are a good fit with your Club and that your Club meets their expectations. If you have other Clubs locally, collaborate so that a potential new member can choose the Club that best suits them for meeting times, location and Club culture. Clubs are the vehicle to being a Rotarian. For the future success of Rotary, we need to think of membership as being part of Rotary International, not an individual Club.
Within District 9930 we need to be actively involved in creating new and innovative Club models. Passport and Satellite Clubs provide a Rotary experience that is different from what’s offered by other Clubs in the area. Importantly, they increase our impact and expand our reach in the community.
The Rotary experience is far-reaching. Rotakids, Interact, Rotaract and Rotary are the community of our international service organisation. Holger Knaack, Rotary’s International President sends the message that “There is no wrong age to be a Rotarian”.