You are the power

         behind Rotary…Share it

The month of July heralds in a new Rotary year and all around the world leadership is changing. From Rotary’s top post at Rotary International to Club Presidents and officers, new leaders take the helm as it ushers in a new Rotary theme… Engage Rotary…Change Lives.

I feel humbled and privileged to assume my new role as Rotary Co-ordinator for Zone 20(A) South. It is a task I feel ready for and look forward to engaging with District Governors and the Rotary family within the Zone. I also welcome PDG Patrick Coleman (Rotary Club of Luanshya, Zambi) who would continue as an Assistant Rotary Co-ordinator in D9210.     

I think that it would be remiss of me not to dedicate a paragraph to my predecessor, PDG Nick Phillips. He is a trail blazer in Rotary and he has executed his role as Rotary Co-ordinator (and others) with great passion, dedication and immense commitment in developing a stronger Southern Africa. Nick, you have served us with great dignity and professionalism and you have in your imitable style left an indelible mark on Rotary in Southern Africa. Thank you for your dedication.

It is my intention to write a month in advance of the Rotary focus month as this allows us time to plan and execute programmes and projects that are aligned to our overall strategic plan. Membership is the engine that powers Rotary. Without it, we have no one to do the work; we have no money to support the worthwhile projects that so desperately need to be done and we have no creative ideas for solving problems. Since the mid-1990s, membership in Rotary and other service clubs has been declining. The vexing question is why do members leave Rotary?

·       We may bring in the wrong members. In some cases, as soon as someone shows up at our doorstep, we invite them to join. That’s like hiring every job applicant.

·       When we do bring in the right member, we often don’t give them a reason to stay.

·       We don’t involve them and fail to make them feel a part of our organisation.

Rotarians who feel that they are a valuable part of the organisation, who are contributing to our projects and feel appreciated, do not leave. While one can argue that recruitment and retention in a volunteer organisation can be different than in a business, the goals are similar:

·       Bring in the individuals who are the most qualified to advance your organisation (RECRUITMENT)

·       Do what you can to keep them satisfied (RETENTION)

Of course, the biggest difference is that in Rotary the reward is not financial, it is personal gratification. The family of Rotary extends beyond individual Rotarians and Rotary clubs to include other service minded people who help with the organisation's work. Groups such as Rotaract, Interact, and Rotary Community Corps serve side by side with sponsor clubs, using their diverse skills to improve the quality of life in their communities. A further component in our Zone is the Anns' Clubs, who undeniably make a huge difference and adds to the success of our Rotary Clubs. Look around you and one finds more successful Rotary Clubs when the Anns’ Clubs are vibrant and successful.

During the past few months District Governors and their membership teams were tasked with the responsibility of developing a three year membership plan for the Zone. Africa continues to be an enigma for Rotary. With a population exceeding 1 billion people we have in our 54 countries in Africa, a Rotary membership of just over 26000. The goal to grow Africa to enable it to have a permanent Director is 35000 and it is the responsibility of each one of us to Engage Rotary with our friends, families and like-minded individuals and bring in a new member. And yes there will be those who will be called to higher service and then those who will be disgruntled with someone in Rotary (not the organisation) and will then leave but there will be many of us who will take pride in our organisation and roll up our sleeves and get the job done.  

As we start this new Rotary year two Districts in our Zone would have merged into one District. Districts 9270 and 9320 have merged to create a new District 9370 and under the leadership of DG Greg Cryer, the new district will continue to create opportunities of expanding it’s membership base through Club Extension and Club expansion through increased membership. Other Districts within the zone have put together plans to grow too. As at date of writing (15^th June 2013) the membership statistics for Districts within our Zone were:

          D9210          1457

          D9370          2143

          D9350          1313

          D9400          1577

A few months ago at my training in Chicago a fellow Co-ordinator spoke of his own District’s initiative to bring in the younger generation. I have posted this full article on my blog page and invite you to check this out there. It makes great reading. Here are some of the lessons we learn from the San Antonio example:

(1)  We need to have a champion – the person who is going to drive the initiative and bring home the results

(2)  We need to think outside the box – conventional methods are not always working

(3)  We need to be more flexible…respect the MOP but make things flexible. What was relevant 10 years ago may not be relevant now. Become relevant with the times and technology

(4)  Prepare to roll up the sleeves and make it happen.

So here is my challenge for August, membership month (which in my humble opinion should be scrapped as everyday should be membership day). I challenge you to think of one under-40 person who would make a difference in your Club. Go on, invite them into your Club and you would be amazed how you would change their lives and yours.

Each one of you makes a difference in a positive way…YOU are the power behind Rotary, share it.

Natty Moodley

Rotary Africa

July 2013