I imagine Clubs are still reflecting on some of the messages received from our Conference in March. I know mine is. During the meeting following the Conference we played Mark Huddleston’s video presentation. While there was a strong attendance of members at conference it was an opportunity to share the message with those who didn’t attend.We also reflected on the ideas shared in the panel discussion of Club representatives and considered which of those ideas we might be able to adapt for our own Club’s growth. Both triggered a valuable conversation across the Club. I encourage other Clubs to do the same.

 

 

Mark Huddleston’s message challenged us to be open to change – to doing things differently to grow Rotary in the future.  Of course, change can be daunting and threatening – we generally like the way we do things and change disrupts that comfort.  But, with diminishing numbers across our District and others, we must create a Rotary that will take us into the next century. This means a shift from a ‘meeting’ focus to a cause / service focus. With this, there is the opportunity for people whose lives may be too busy for them attend regular meetings focused around a meal and guest speaker to still be part of Rotary, meet over a coffee perhaps while they plan their service project. Of course there will still be room for the more traditional Clubs, many of whom provide a worthy service to their communities. In this Bulletin is a valuable article on managing change. I encourage you to read it. Change does not succeed if the President tells the members what will be done differently. It succeeds when all members have an opportunity to discuss and have input into new thinking, thus gaining buy-in from all.  

 

Of course our experience in Rotary is similar to Service Clubs everywhere.  We’ll all facing the same challenges. It was fascinating for our Governor train to have a conversation recently with the Governor train of Lions in our area.  They are in a similar position to us and we agreed to work together more collaboratively for the good of our communities.  We are already working together on some projects.

 

We continue to celebrate our centenary across the District and nationally. I know quite a few Clubs have taken my challenge to identify a specific community focused project that can be their centennial legacy.  Do share those ideas too.  Reading inspiring and motivating stories of ways we are making a difference in our communities makes us proud to be Rotarians.

 

DG Gillian