Hello Everyone in District 9800,
I am sure you are all navigating COVID lockdown 6.0 in the best way possible as it continues to challenge all of us. I am very proud of the Rotarians who have adapted so well to virtual meetings and I continue to be impressed with the quality of community projects and impact clubs are achieving despite the “handbrake of COVID”.
I have travelled virtually via Zoom to visit clubs including Woodend, Passport Club, Essendon, Collingwood and Brunswick-Tullamarine, with meetings at Altona City, Wyndham and North Balwyn occuring this week.
Our current Presidents are to be applauded for their work to maintain engagement with their members. I appreciated the opportunity to meet with these Presidents at our recent “Presidents Connecting” session and hear first hand both some of the challenges they are facing and their successes, which need to be celebrated.
I was reminded of the quote from a fellow Rotarian (Joe Otin) “The embodiment of Rotary Clubs and their ultimate purpose is to embrace and support communities in need” which reminds us that in the current challenging Covid environment, our community engagement is so important now.
Our Presidents connected over four ideas, which are very relevant to all Rotarians in our clubs:
1. Keep all members connected
- Contact all members regularly
- Ensure ALL members can use Zoom!
- Have lots of variety in meetings and events
- Have FUN in the Zoom Room
2. Find new hands on Community projects- Think Activity, NOT just Donations!
- Work with your local agencies such as the Council, MP, churches, sporting organisations and other community groups etc.
- Connect with your Cluster Clubs
- Have FUN
- Can you adapt your activity to an online platform, such as a Zoom Business Breakfast, International Guest Speaker or Trivia Night?
- An example of innovation was the Rotary Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands Conference traditionally held in a city around Australia and New Zealand. For the second year running the conference was held online https://rotaryzone8.org/sitepage/2021-zone-8-national-conference/welcome. An excellent event with many quality presentations. For those Rotarians who did not attend, details of the recordings will be advised soon.
- What new digital assistance can you find, such as online raffles, digital silent auctions or even Instagram?
- Have FUN with your Projects!
- DON’T wait for Lockdown to end
- Plan for Christmas and how YOUR club can help the local community
- Start to plan ahead for both in-person, online and hybrid future projects and events. (Plans A, B and C!)
- Have FUN in your Plans!
Do you remember last October where we all got out and walked to raise money for End Polio? It is happening again! The interactive website supporting the event is ready (www.rotarywalkwithus.org) for you to register yourself and/or your Team.
Last year was hugely successful raising over $120,000 but we want to beat that total this year and I am sure we can do that. We just need you, your club members, your friends and your family to register and start raising money to End Polio forever.
You have all of October to complete the challenge you set yourself. How far can you walk or run in a month? 20kms? 50kms? 100kms? Or even further? How much money can you raise? Set a target and go for it!
I've signed up to run 120km and my running track will be the beautiful Lake Wendouree with a 6 km circumference as I am currently based in Regional Victoria, in Ballarat. So a lot of running around in circles for me in October to raise funds and raise the profile of the global Rotary initiative!
Please continue all the good work you are doing as it is having such a positive impact on your communities.
Stay safe and I look forward to seeing many of you online at the 'Morning Tea with the DG' this coming Saturday.
Dale