I simply cannot believe it is August already! Where has the year gone?! August on the Rotary calendar is Membership Month. Membership, however, is something that we need to have on our agenda at all times - our very survival depends on it!
Today I attended District 9800's Membership and Marketing seminar. Each club needs a membership plan of attack that is in line with District's plan, but tailored to the quirks of the individual club. A double-sided flyer outlining District's plan was handed out at the seminar, and I will make it available on our website. It was a fantastic event with a large number of Rotarians from D9800 in attendance. Excellent speakers, productive breakout sessions and lots of fabulous membership-related ideas were shared. I just want to share with you here a few key things I took away from today's seminar that have definitely got me thinking...
One key thing that was said, and I feel is absolutely vital, is member engagement. If club members are not engaged then they are going to start "voting with their feet" - and the club will simply not survive. Traditionally, there has always been a focus in Rotary on attendance; going forward we need to be more concerned with and focused on the level of engagement not attendance.
Another key issue is to make clubs attractive to not only new and potential members, but also to existing members. A club that is modern, responsive, vibrant and dynamic will attract members and retain existing members. The result will be and attractive club with engaged members rather than a club that lends itself to the terrible Rotary stereotypes out there that we really need to address by getting rid of them!
Of course clubs need to plan and set goals, but essentially they need to just get out in to the community and do it! As the famous Anonymous said, "Success comes to the person who does today what others are planning on doing tomorrow."
Another quote I noted down during today's seminar is: "Unexpect the expected." We need to sell the Rotary message - there isn't another voluntary service organisation in the world like Rotary. The End Polio Now campaign is a perfect example of what Rotary is capable of achieving. In unexpecting the expected we need to go back to basics. We need to start a conversation, which will lead to engagement, which will lead to successful projects. Simply put, turn conversations into actions.
That was, in fact, the main message that came out of today's seminar: Join the new conversation of Rotary. After all, it is from little things that big things grow.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Rebecca
Saturday 17 August 2013
Tuesday 11 June 2013
Off to Lisbon!
I am extremely excited because in just under a week I fly out to Lisbon, Portugal, for the annual Rotary International Convention! I am actually stopping over in Paris for a few nights on the way - I figured because I'm going all the way to Europe I should stop over somewhere else for a little holiday!
There is such a fabulous fellowship on Facebook for Rotarians, particularly for eClubs, and I have now booked myself solidly for the entire stay in Lisbon with official, unofficial and social events specifically pertaining to eClubs and Rotary on social media! Watch out - I'll be coming back armed with heaps of ideas to really make our eClub rock!
For those who are interested, there are three extremely good groups I would suggest you have a look at on Facebook - Rotarians on Social Networks Fellowship (ROSNF), Rotarians on the Internet (ROTI), and Rotary eClubs. There are, of course, hundreds of Facebook pages and groups relevant to Rotarians, but I would recommend these three in particular if you are interested in the world of eClubs. If you want to find contact details of other Rotary eClubs around the world, check out the "eClub Hub" page on Facebook.
And of course, don't forget our own Rotary E-Club of Melbourne Facebook page and our closed Facebook group! We have 90 "likes" for our Facebook page last I checked - let's make that 100! Invite your friends to like our page too!
I will be putting links to all these pages and groups on our website to make them easy to find.
So, what am I going to get up to in Lisbon?
I arrive in the afternoon of the 21st, and have the rest of the day to orient myself with everything. The next day (22nd) is my only "free" day in Lisbon, so I am planning on using the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour to see the sights and, as the tour name suggests, hop on and off where and when I want. On the 23rd the convention begins in full swing, and after the day's sessions I am attending the ROSNF evening drinks - which is conveniently at the same hotel in which I am staying, so I [almost] definitely won't get lost on the way to that event!
The 24th brings a Social Media breakout session and in the evening the eClub One Annual Dinner. The 25th is the eClubs Breakfast, and there are a couple of breakout sessions on Social Media and eClubs during the day. The rest of the time will be convention sessions, and hopefully a lot of time to spend in the Hall of Friendship - a huge version of our marketplaces that are at most Rotary events.
My exam time is ticking closer, so time to sign off - I will be posting and blogging more soon!
Yours In Rotary,
Bec
Monday 27 May 2013
Charter Night Speech
President Rebecca's speech from our Charter Night, 22 May 2013.
District Governor Dennis and his wife Lynda, District Governor Elect Ross and his wife Annette, Rotarians & Guests.
I am honored to stand before you as the inaugural President of the Rotary E-Club of Melbourne! Thank you to the Charter Members and to the Charter Committee for placing your confidence and trust in me to serve as your President. Thank you to everyone who has been able to attend tonight - you represent 33 different Rotary clubs and we are delighted to have such a fantastic, diverse, turnout. Also, a big thank you to President Liz and the members of the Rotary Club of Albert Park for allowing us to take over your weekly meeting time and venue for our Charter night.
The E-Club of Melbourne would not have become a reality if it weren't for our sponsor club, the Rotary Club of Melbourne, and key individuals, including, District Governor Dennis, Immediate Past District Governor Keith, and the members of our Charter Committee - District Governor's Special Representative Chris Egger, Chris Don, Richard Groom, Stephen Lake, Trevor Nink and last, but most certainly not least, Past District Governor Ann White.
On a personal note, I am an IT consultant by trade, have two beautiful daughters, Abigail who is 10 and Leah who is 7, and a wonderful husband, Rudi, who I have been happily married to for 17 years. To top all that off I am currently studying for my Masters degree in IT Security and am a Board member for one of Melbourne's leading independent schools. As you can imagine, I'm pretty busy and, as many of us are finding ourselves these days, time poor. This is why, for me, an eClub was a particularly appealing option.
As many of you know, I am new to Rotary, having only become involved in January of this year. My Rotary journey began with my mentor, and dear friend, Gerry Phillips of the Rotary Club of Albert Park. I had, for quite a long time, been keen to join a Rotary club; I have always been very impressed with the values and ideals of Rotary, and the ‘matter of fact way’ Rotary carries on its affairs while quietly (perhaps too quietly at times) incrementally achieving amazing results. In addition to suggesting I visit a few different clubs in order to get a feel for things, Gerry pointed me towards an expression of interest meeting for the then Provisional E-Club of Melbourne. It was at that meeting that Ann grabbed me - and didn't let me go! The rest, as they say, is history.
I believe an eClub should be thought of as being the same as every other Rotary club except for one thing - our weekly meetings are held online, giving our members the flexibility to participate on a 24/7 basis, at any time that suits them, from anywhere in the world. It should be remembered, however, that internet technology is merely an enabler, nothing more. An enabler to connect with those who, for various reasons, are not able to regularly attend traditional weekly face-to-face meetings. Technology is just the means to gather people around something much much bigger. The success of our Rotary eClub will rely, as all Rotary clubs do, on our members committing to the ethos of Rotary, offering strong fellowship connections and meaningful service projects that involve and inspire all.
I think Paul Harris was spot on when he said, in 1945, "I would like to think that the pioneering days of Rotary have only just begun. There are just as many new things to be done as ever there were. Kaleidoscopic changes are taking place, many of them without our will. Even to hang on to the fringe of this fast-changing world is about all most of us can do. Rotary simply must continue to pioneer or be left in the rear of progress."
My main goals for our club in the 2013-2014 Rotary year are simple: to establish a strong foundation of fellowship amongst our members, seek out opportunities for service, and, of course, have fun. Although our club is, as you are all well aware, an eClub, Rotary itself is like a family and the fellowship aspect should never be underestimated and cannot be overlooked. Getting together with like-minded professionals to make a difference in this world is the real crux of what being a Rotarian is all about, and as such I feel strongly that we should endeavour to meet in person for service and fellowship as often as we can - both within our club and in collaboration with other clubs.
I would like to leave you all with another quote that I feel is very fitting to Rotary, this time from Margaret Mead, who said, "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Thank you and enjoy the rest of the evening!
District Governor Dennis and his wife Lynda, District Governor Elect Ross and his wife Annette, Rotarians & Guests.
I am honored to stand before you as the inaugural President of the Rotary E-Club of Melbourne! Thank you to the Charter Members and to the Charter Committee for placing your confidence and trust in me to serve as your President. Thank you to everyone who has been able to attend tonight - you represent 33 different Rotary clubs and we are delighted to have such a fantastic, diverse, turnout. Also, a big thank you to President Liz and the members of the Rotary Club of Albert Park for allowing us to take over your weekly meeting time and venue for our Charter night.
The E-Club of Melbourne would not have become a reality if it weren't for our sponsor club, the Rotary Club of Melbourne, and key individuals, including, District Governor Dennis, Immediate Past District Governor Keith, and the members of our Charter Committee - District Governor's Special Representative Chris Egger, Chris Don, Richard Groom, Stephen Lake, Trevor Nink and last, but most certainly not least, Past District Governor Ann White.
On a personal note, I am an IT consultant by trade, have two beautiful daughters, Abigail who is 10 and Leah who is 7, and a wonderful husband, Rudi, who I have been happily married to for 17 years. To top all that off I am currently studying for my Masters degree in IT Security and am a Board member for one of Melbourne's leading independent schools. As you can imagine, I'm pretty busy and, as many of us are finding ourselves these days, time poor. This is why, for me, an eClub was a particularly appealing option.
As many of you know, I am new to Rotary, having only become involved in January of this year. My Rotary journey began with my mentor, and dear friend, Gerry Phillips of the Rotary Club of Albert Park. I had, for quite a long time, been keen to join a Rotary club; I have always been very impressed with the values and ideals of Rotary, and the ‘matter of fact way’ Rotary carries on its affairs while quietly (perhaps too quietly at times) incrementally achieving amazing results. In addition to suggesting I visit a few different clubs in order to get a feel for things, Gerry pointed me towards an expression of interest meeting for the then Provisional E-Club of Melbourne. It was at that meeting that Ann grabbed me - and didn't let me go! The rest, as they say, is history.
I believe an eClub should be thought of as being the same as every other Rotary club except for one thing - our weekly meetings are held online, giving our members the flexibility to participate on a 24/7 basis, at any time that suits them, from anywhere in the world. It should be remembered, however, that internet technology is merely an enabler, nothing more. An enabler to connect with those who, for various reasons, are not able to regularly attend traditional weekly face-to-face meetings. Technology is just the means to gather people around something much much bigger. The success of our Rotary eClub will rely, as all Rotary clubs do, on our members committing to the ethos of Rotary, offering strong fellowship connections and meaningful service projects that involve and inspire all.
I think Paul Harris was spot on when he said, in 1945, "I would like to think that the pioneering days of Rotary have only just begun. There are just as many new things to be done as ever there were. Kaleidoscopic changes are taking place, many of them without our will. Even to hang on to the fringe of this fast-changing world is about all most of us can do. Rotary simply must continue to pioneer or be left in the rear of progress."
My main goals for our club in the 2013-2014 Rotary year are simple: to establish a strong foundation of fellowship amongst our members, seek out opportunities for service, and, of course, have fun. Although our club is, as you are all well aware, an eClub, Rotary itself is like a family and the fellowship aspect should never be underestimated and cannot be overlooked. Getting together with like-minded professionals to make a difference in this world is the real crux of what being a Rotarian is all about, and as such I feel strongly that we should endeavour to meet in person for service and fellowship as often as we can - both within our club and in collaboration with other clubs.
I would like to leave you all with another quote that I feel is very fitting to Rotary, this time from Margaret Mead, who said, "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Thank you and enjoy the rest of the evening!
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