Fellowship into Africa, our monthly Social and and 16 days to our Quiz Fundraiser....

 From our President.....

Dear fellow Rotarians and friends,

It is about moving with the times and accepting change – who would have thought 6 months ago that we would all be so used to this “new normal” (really tired of that term).

Friday afternoon – logging on to our computers for a SOCIAL meeting!! Discussing downloading an app in order to have our phone numbers handy!! We are not talking about shows or movies where we meet and chat, drink coffee and have dinner beforehand – we talk about Netflix, social media and online fellowship!!

I cannot wait for 21st October – we are having a REAL quiz, seeing people we have not seen for 6 months or more, ordering drinks and hearing laughter and the buzz of conversation. I think that is what I have missed – the noise of people! Let’s make the quiz evening extra special – please do your part.

As I write this letter, it is pouring with rain – we have had hail as well and a huge downpour, with the lightening and thunder that accompanies a good highveld storm – much needed and most welcome.

Now our gardens will ‘take off’, and the farmers will be able to turn the soil and summer is suddenly here.

So much to look forward to – ENJOY!!

Lots of love,

Ann

Bukoto Club Uganda v Rotary Club of Rosebank - A Quiz Night to remember...

It started off with a casual Wednesday quiz challenge against local clubs like Kyalami, Morningside and Fourways. We then ventured further afield to Newlands in the Cape and even took on the Rotary Club of Gabarone. Gareth Hood took on the task of quiz master, and the virtual Corona Trophy was awarded to the weekly winning team.

The news of our successful quiz evenings spilled across the borders and between David Bradshaw and Joanitah, the International Service Director of the Rotoract Club of Bukoto, Uganda the Mother of all Quiz Evenings was planned for the last day of September.

We had already said our sad farewells to Gareth, who was returning to his teaching post in China, but David managed to twist his rubber arm to make one final grand appearance.

Flyers went out to other Rotary clubs in Uganda and at 20:00 their time over 56 people logged into this Zoom event. It began quite formally, and most of the participants stuck to Zoom etiquette, but the chatline was abuzz and Gareth had a hard time convincing our Ugandan opponents not to disclose their answers in the message box. 

It was glaringly evident that this event was a highlight on the Bukoto social calendar and that Fellowship is a very important part of being a Rotarian. The virtual party went on long after the quiz ended.

We might have beaten the Rotoract Club of Bukoto, but they deserved 10/10 for enthusiasm.

Membership...

David Brashaw was sent the content of a talk about membership by PDG Grant Daly which he felt might be valuable to share with the Rotary family.

MEMBERSHIP – PIONEERS – FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Backdrop/Preamble: During the Covid 19 pandemic our focus has naturally been on Retention of members. Lockdown has affected us in so many ways;

Total reduction in socials/fellowship/fun

Reduction in earnings

It has been a time to reach out to those who have gone quiet. But it has also been a time of opportunities – We have realized that we can hold effective virtual meetings and invite speakers from all over the world. I attended Kelso Rotary club in Scotland with PRID John Germ as speaker. These opportunities have made us realize that things will never be the same again because we have embraced so many changes during the lockdown.

Unfortunately when ever we speak about Membership in Rotary we have to refer to the districts statistics. I will only share two numbers with you in that Rotarians forget them very quickly. In district 9400 the members per club (measured end August) was at 15,92 members/club. In district 9370 the ratio was 15,59 members/club. The RI minimum number of members to justify a district is 1100 and all three Southern African districts hover just above this threshold.

Now before I start sharing solutions with you I would like to share two very relevant true stories with you:

The first event was my zoom attendance at the Kelso RC in Scotland on 17 September 2020 where PRID John Germ was the guest speaker. John spoke about Polio and some of you might know that his father had polio so he speaks about polio with great passion. John explained that in 2007 Bill and Belinda Gates approached Rotary and he offered to give Rotary $50 million for Rotary to continue the fight against Polio. The directors of RI and the Foundation were absolutely intimidated by the offer and challenge. Bearing in mind that Rotary had taken up the challenge from 1985. They asked Bill & Belinda Gates “Why Rotary” and their reply was as follows:

Rotary have boots on the ground spread thru out the world.

Rotary have a Financial vehicle (The Rotary Foundation) that supports the projects carried out by the Rotarians on the ground.

Rotarians are passionate about what they do.

Rotary has a recognized 4 star rating as an organisation of excellent reputation and stewardship.

Rotary is non political.

Rotary can deliver projects effectively.

I think you will agree with me that the above reasons are compelling. With the world threat of three polio viruses and one of the richest men in the world to believe in Rotary, it was for Rotary to realize what a great organisation it was. As Rotary delivered and the incidents of infection reduced, so the donations increased from Bill and Belinda Gates and Rotary was stretched to some serious capacity in terms of delivery. $50 million became $100 million and so on, on the basis of matching our funding on a 2:1 basis. The message I have for you is that you belong to a truly great organisation that has stood the test of time. As individual Rotarians we need to realize this because the realization will come across to people we meet who know nothing or very little about Rotary and whom we invite to join our clubs. Our passion will be infectious. 

As Rotarians we are generally very selective of who we invite to join our clubs. This aspect leads me on to event no two. In the early 1990’s there was a certain Ravi Devalia who was an up and coming businessman in the textile industry in Lusaka Zambia. Once his business was established and doing well, he felt that he needed to also give back to the local community. He liked the idea of Rotary and approached the local main club in Lusaka to join. He was duly proposed and seconded etc. but on circulation at a club meeting he was black balled on the basis that the club already had a member in the textile industry. The rejection made him adamant and so with a few friends and the support of another club he established a club in Lusaka. The club was very successful and after a few years Ravi was nominated and selected as a district governor. He realized that there was a membership challenge in the district and also realized that the general profile of Rotary in his district was of white and Indian males. He set about changing it and succeeded in growing the district by 20%. For this he received an RI award. His advice and secret to his achievement was as follows:

·           Past District Governors were each assigned to weak clubs.

·           He instilled flexibility on the strict classification approach. Look for reasons as to how you can admit a person rather than how can we put up barriers.

·           He encouraged bringing in icons from the communities not represented in the various clubs. Further members followed their icon.

·           He emphasized the importance of being open with prospective members as to the implication of joining. Fireside chat.

·           He introduced a growth strategy where each club pledged their growth up front.

·           He encouraged clubs to act as pioneers in terms of membership growth. What do I mean by pioneers - Ravi quoted Albert Einstein – “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere”. Take risks on people and make it happen.

·           Deliver value and costs will not be an issue.

Solutions and ideas over and above the insights just shared:

Over the past 20 years Rotary International has brought about many changes in terms of opening up opportunities for membership. Moving on from the traditional club we now have the following:

·           Passport clubs

·           Satellite clubs

·           Corporate clubs (Johannesburg Chamber; German Chamber; Legal fraternity; large corporates for CSI; etc.)

·           E clubs

·           Cause Based clubs

·           Alumni Based clubs

·           Hybrid Clubs

At present district 9400 is experimenting with Veteran clubs and Diplomatic core clubs.

For clubs:

Step one – carry out an analysis to see if you have any barriers in your club that prevent people joining your club.

Step two – carry out a climate survey of your club. Health check.

Step three – what is your benefit statement (age appropriate).

Step four – interesting and fun meetings.

Conclude with Sharing a speech made by President, Rotary International, 1992-93. Clifford L. Dochterman in May 2006        

Grant Daly

PDG

Rotary District 9400

 

Tel:  +27 15 297 4615

Cell:  +27 72 071 8111

Fax:  +27 86 544 3209

Email:  dalyg@hillary.co.za