By Mary Barry, District 9800 Chair Vocational Service
Vocational Service is the essence of Rotary and the foundation from which we serve our communities around the world - a world that has dramatically changed over the past 12 months. We have experienced the first world pandemic in 100 years, lockdowns, job losses and much stress. As we enter 2021, unemployment in Australia is at its highest level in decades and many businesses are either on the brink of closure or already closed. Never has participation in Vocational Service activities been more important for Rotarians.
Through Vocational Service we can assist those most in need at this time, by utilising our unique skills to work with and support communities in need; our wisdom and life experience to train, mentor and develop others; our values to inspire others to act ethically and with integrity at all times.
Over the past 18 months, District 9800 has been focused on Revitalising Vocational Service. With input from over 40 Clubs across the District we have developed the first VS Strategic Plan - a plan that takes a ‘bottom up” approach to better understand what clubs are doing in VS and support them to develop templates/guidelines for programs that are likely to have broader district appeal, to be shared with all Clubs. Four key areas of VS activities have stood out - Mentoring Programs, Schools Programs, Job Ready Support Programs and Business Awards/Partnerships. We are now in the development phase of the templates/guidelines.
The next step in the process is the rolling out of the templates/guidelines. This will be done via Zoom sessions in March. Attendees will include Presidents, Presidents Elect, VS Directors and Rotarians from Clubs across the District interested in knowing more about Vocational Service opportunities in 2021 and beyond. All templates/guidelines will be on the District website following the Zoom sessions. Invitations will be sent to Presidents, President Elects and VS Directors via email. We look forward to seeing you at the Zoom sessions in March!
For more information, go to https://rotarydistrict9800.org.au/sitepage/vocational