I am so inspired by our new Rotarians! During these difficult times, it is great to see the enthusiasm in which our new members are embraced by their clubs and the quick involvement they have in projects.
I know a number of our Rotarians want to continue with hands-on projects to support the needs of our community at this difficult time with such strict lockdown measures in place. However, we have to show leadership and not try to circumvent the law.
Rotary is not recognised as a relief agency, nor as an organisation that undertakes first emergency response. Both medical and State Government advice around restrictions are based on keeping us all safe and to bring the curve down. Our Governance Director and District Leadership Team led by me are committed to ensuring the rules are followed. I urge all Rotarians to avoid those projects that might see you not social distancing, even if you are wearing a mask. Be aware that if the public observes you acting on behalf of Rotary and not observing the rules, this will impact on the name and reputation of Rotary.
There is plenty for us to do whilst in lockdown, and we must understand that there are some projects that need to be put on hold for now. I reiterate that a mask alone is not good enough if you are not social distancing or observing the lockdown rules that are law.
International Peace Day is on 21st September and you will be hearing a lot more from the Rotary Peace Action Group leading into this important day. Please refer to their ad in this edition of Networker. The challenge I extend to all members is what can you do to create harmony within Rotary and peace in our communities?
As we are in Membership month, please read Peter Frueh’s article on Membership Engagement and Retention in this edition. There is some evidence to suggest that potential members are experiencing red tape and difficult processes around induction that are deterring them from joining. Rotary International President Holger Knaack is encouraging us to be more flexible and not get caught up in red tape, but still assess every new member with diversity and transparency in mind
If you have any queries regarding inducting new members, please contact Peter Freuh and discuss this critical aspect to a member’s Rotary journey. Let’s make it a great experience to cross the welcome mat!
“Of all the hundred and one ways in which men can make themselves useful to society, undoubtedly the most available and often the most effective are within the spheres of their own occupations.”
If we look at our District 9800, we have 65 Rotary clubs. This is down from the 67 of five years ago, and our membership has also declined from around 2,400 to 2,100 in that time, an average of about 5 members a club, or one per club per year. This is a long-term trend across all Districts in Australia and much of the developed world, but what would it take for us to have a net increase of two each year per club, rather than a decline of one?
Reasons for Leaving
Rotary International survey data shows that the main reasons people leave are:
For members under 40 - life changing event (work, move, relationships, children), club environment, cost or time constraint
For members 40 to 60 - cost or time constraints, club environment, unmet expectations
For members 60+ - life changing event (relocation, health), club environment, cost or time constraint
Of course every individual has their own reasons for leaving and by the time they leave, some may not wish to share it. It is therefore up to club leaders and fellow members to observe those members who are perhaps not as engaged or are not attending meetings, and ask them how they are feeling about their Rotary club…is it meeting their needs? If not, can something be done about it.
Timing
Some people will be familiar with the U-shape of faults in manufactured goods. Problems show up either early in use, or much later on, as things wear out or age. Membership in Rotary has the same U-shape. In our District, 38% of members who leave do so in the first two years. Then the rate drops to 4% p.a. over the next eight years, before rising again for long term members.
Solutions
This shows the importance of “onboarding” new members so they feel part of the club, how the club can meet their expectations, and provide learning about the broader aspects of Rotary International. Clubs need to have formal or informal mentoring in place and ensure this is happening. Ask and listen to what your newer club members say about their experience, help them find where their passion might be within Rotary, and then work with them to ensure they are able to initiate or participate in their first project or event. Recognise them publicly and make them part of the Rotary family.
The pandemic has hit all our members in some way or another (work, family, stress, financial). We need to show that we care for one another and allow people to share their issues—as the adage goes, a problem shared is a problem halved. Formal Zoom meetings may not provide the right platform for this to happen, and smaller breakout groups can help for larger clubs. However, nothing beats a phone call at a suitable time from a Rotary friend! You can prepare to make this call by checking out the RUOK website for tips: https://www.ruok.org.au/ Also, why not consider reaching out to past members, friends of the club, volunteers and others in the broader Rotary community. We all appreciate this type of support.
Renewing Clubs
Finally, use this time to reimagine your club and get back to grass roots community-based projects in which members can get personally involved. Examples are assisting with foodsharing organisations, phone support for isolated elderly people, mentoring of people who have lost their job or are undergoing work transitions, etc. Reach out to local businesses to get their support for your new initiatives or ask them how you could help. Ask the local council about emerging issues in which your members can assist.
A healthy club focuses equally on membership growth and membership retention, and now is an ideal time to look at your club’s approach to both areas.
Global virus pandemics are not new. Before vaccines were developed for polio in the 1950s, parents were gripped by terror: over 1,000 children were dying or being paralysed each day.
Now, polio is a distant memory in most countries, but it persists in a few. The problem is that until we completely eradicate the poliovirus, children everywhere remain at risk.
Alongside Past RI Presidents, Directors and Rotarians from across Australia and New Zealand you are invited to join a challenge this year to honour the life of Past RI President, Sir Clem Renouf, Rotary’s original Polio campaigner.
What’s the challenge? Go for a walk!
(actually, a walk, a run or a roll—your choice)
You can do this! Even those of us in lockdown can do this. So what’s involved?
Register your target (say 10km, 20km, 50km or whatever distance suits) during the month of October
Get friends, family, colleagues and local businesses to sponsor you
Record your activity, monitor the leaderboards, track your results.
What will you achieve?
Save childrennow in polio hotspots like Pakistan and Afghanistan
Help develop innovative new vaccination programs
Help plan the polio endgame, including repurposing the polio network for other health needs
I joined Rotary in 1976 when setting up a factory in Eaglehawk, and was invited to a meeting by a contractor. It appealed as a way of getting to know other people in my new home, and so that marked the beginning of my long journey with Rotary.
My first five years were really active, as Eaglehawk is a “doing” club and I was working full time in my new business. I was elected as club President in 1981. Then I became involved at District level with, amongst other things, Overseas Vocational Exchange, President-elect training and the District Foundation Committee, all of which proved solid Rotary grounding. In 1992 I became District Governor, and was lucky to have a great Rotary International conference in Melbourne.
I have been involved in a range committees, including youth, polio, Rotary procedures, science and water and sanitation projects, and as training leader for international and district conferences.
Most significant in my career was the Bone Marrow Donor Institute (BMDI), and nominating that as my key project as District Governor. My successor DGE Rob Dunn agreed that it would take two years to achieve our plans, so we set out to raise $1million. We achieved $2million! That enabled the purchase of a property in North Melbourne as a research facility and hospital. Two years ago, BMDI, now known as Fight Cancer Foundation, approached us to help build a larger facility near the Children’s Hospital. With Bronwyn Stephens, District Governor that year, we progressed a ‘Rotary House’ plan, which unfortunately is now on hold due to the pandemic.
Also, really important to me, has been expanding the Paul Harris Society. I just finished six years in the Chair.
I really believe that the qualities of a good Rotarian are commitment, passion, perseverance, flexibility and connectedness.
Outside Rotary, I continue community leadership as Chairman of the Bendigo Art Gallery, Ulumbarra Foundation, and Aspire Cultural & Charitable Foundation.
Christina was inducted back into the Rotary Club of Melbourne on 17th June this year after taking a break. She first came into contact with Rotary in 1973 when she participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, a program that saw her make a number of life-long friends.
After growing up in Melbourne, Christina moved to regional northeast Victoria to be a nurse. Here she became heavily involved in the community, joining Kiwanis, an international organisation dedicated to serving one child and one community at a time.
Christina has undertaken considerable community work, particularly in the area of mental health. She is also a life member of the YMCA. Rotary was a great support to Christina when she was running a community centre for the disabled in 1988 in Wangaratta—Rotary assisted with building and structural work.
Returning to Melbourne in 1997, Christina took up a role as software tester. At this time, both she and her husband decided to join Rotary together and Christina was, and still is, passionate about working with young people. When her husband passed away, Christina took a break from Rotary to travel, but soon found she missed the fellowship and community of Rotary.
Christina loves to attend the ballet, theatre and opera; she also enjoys reading and is an avid Collingwood supporter. Her involvement with youth exchange programs has been considerable, and has resulted in her travelling to Denmark specifically to visit her past exchange students.
Christina’s maxim is ‘be the best version of yourself,’ and she is grateful for health, family and friends. She believes Rotary’s future challenges will be attracting new members, particularly young members, and embracing hybrid meetings.
My father was a keen Rotarian, first with Keilor and then with Carlton, and from him, I developed respect for what Rotary does.
I was active on a humanitarian project in Timor Leste involving eye-surgery, and was asked to fill in as guest speaker on this topic at short notice at Rotary Glenferrie. I liked the club, joined 13 years ago, and have great admiration for my colleagues.
The International Director at the time asked me to find an offshore project. I had been to Timor Leste with a team twice, but the 2006 uprising made it unsafe so I went to Indonesia instead. I discovered that Sumba needed considerable help. At first Rotary was a little reluctant to become involved, but were persuaded and I have been visiting with Kew Rotarian and optometrist Peter Stewart every six months since 2007. We have taken another Rotarian and worked with a team of eye-care nurses. It is one of the best projects I’ve ever done in my life, and I have Rotary to thank for it.
A project like that, though, is not everyone’s cup of tea. Once, a visiting Rotarian accidentally mixed his anti-malarials with constipation tablets and was in trouble for some days!
Whilst COVID-19 has restricted personal interactions, projects and fund-raising, I believe we will still see some later benefits, such as better use of technology.
Rotarians are different individuals, but they are all volunteers, selfless and genuinely want to help.
I still work as an ophthalmologist almost full-time, golf at Kew with Rotarians from other clubs, and sometimes find time to play saxophone and guitar.
Even if you are time poor, Rotary is a great organisation and there are so many different ways to get involved and to continue learning.
My key message is: the more you put in the more you get out!.
‘Carlton’. The name evokes all sorts of impressions, involvements, memories and responses. Whether it’s a pizza in Lygon Street, a shared flat from university days or (way back) trudging up to Princes Park to support the Blues, nearly everyone has a cherished Carlton link!
The Rotary Club of Carlton, chartered in 1985, embraces an area that encompasses or borders a medley of Melbourne’s icons – the CBD, Melbourne University, Melbourne Cemetery, Victoria Market, the Exhibition Building, the Museum, Melbourne Zoo and also some of the state’s most significant hospitals. There have also been vast residential changes and considerable population diversity. Grand nineteenth century mansions and single fronted cottages have been joined by high density and public housing developments, as well as student accommodation. The area has benefitted from the European post-war migration and, more recently, this has been supplemented by arrivals from Asia and East Africa.
The Rotary Club of Carlton has sought engagement with various national groups and the wider community. Whilst this involvement has been restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Club is conducting its meetings on ZOOM, and in happier times, President Michael Elligate and Secretary Maureen O’Dwyer look forward to welcoming guests to Graduate House, Melbourne University on Tuesdays 12.30 for 1.00pm.
The Rotary Club of Carlton’s main fundraiser is their annual second-hand Book Fair held in March. As with so many highly successful Rotary ventures, this has had to be cancelled at the last minute due to Covid-19.
For many years, the Club has been involved with Ronald McDonald House and its program of providing accommodation for families of children with cancer. Carlton has also raised funds by joining other happy bands of Rotary BBQers at Bunnings. Tennis lessons for refugee children and support for the Carlton Junior Football Club are also rewarding hands-on projects. Each year a candidate is sponsored to the National Youth Science Forum, while the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN), Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and homeless services for young people continue to feature in its programs. As well as support for Rotary’s programs against polio and malaria, the Club is a strong supporter of mental health research.
Though not easily attained, the Rotary Club of Carlton has, for two successive years, presented a successful candidate for a Global Grant Scholarship to Cambridge University – a wonderful achievement.
A final aside–Keith Ryall, our District Governor in 2011-2012 is the incoming President. The Rotary Club of Carlton is in safe hands and looking to the future.
This Fellowship’s mission statement is: “Rotary Means Business encourages Rotarians to support the success of their fellow Rotarians by doing business with them, and by referring others to them.”
Paul Harris (founder of Rotary) had been very successful in business, and he valued hard work and ethical practice in whatever occupation his fellow Rotarians had worked or were continuing to work. He realised that skills acquired from the workplace could be very useful in Rotary and he saw no reason why Rotarians shouldn’t support each other in their businesses and occupations.
It is not uncommon in Rotary clubs for Rotarians to support each other’s business enterprises on an informal basis. This might include purchasing from their stores, attending their specialist clinic, or seeking their professional financial or legal advice and many others.
However the practice of networking in Rotary became more formalised in 2004 with the first Rotary Means Business chapter established in San Francisco. Other Rotary clubs in the area followed this lead and established their own chapters. Unfortunately, over time, these groups became inactive, as there was no central organisation to keep them together.
In 2008 a Sydney Rotarian visited the San Francisco Bay area and discovered Rotary Means Business. On his return to Australia he established a RMB chapter in Sydney.
Back in San Francisco Rotary Means Business resumed and a website was launched in 2011.
Finally at the end of 2013 the Directors of Rotary International formally approved Rotary Means Business as an International Fellowship.
In 2017 the Fellowship partnered with Rotary Global Rewards to enhance the value of both organisations.
Global Rewards is a program that offers Rotary and Rotaract members discounts on products and services such as travel, entertainment and merchandise. It was established to help clubs enhance member satisfaction and retention and to thank members for their service and generous support for the Rotary Foundation.
There are several styles of organisation of Rotary Means Business:
Single Club Model. This is a single club arrangement that is not so popular now. Most clubs find interacting with other Rotary Means Business chapters more beneficial due to the potential range of exposure to many other Rotarians for networking
Multi–Club Model. This is where groups of Rotary clubs get together to form their own chapter. Currently this is the most common method of organisation.
District Model. This style works successfully when there is the support of the District Governor and district level membership and vocational service chairs.
National Model. This model is no longer encouraged by the Fellowship although a few areas, mostly in South America have been organised in this way.
There is a lengthy guide to forming a local chapter of the Fellowship and certain policies, procedures and some legal matters accompany these requirements. However, there is considerable latitude in how each chapter conducts its meetings or gatherings of Rotarians. These differences include frequency of meetings, type of venue, cost to participants, sponsors of meetings and many more. Nevertheless, a common thread is invariably a social gathering with food and drinks, allowing Rotarians and Rotaractors to mix and network with each other.
The Rotary Means Business Fellowship is now found in many countries worldwide including less likely places such as Mongolia and Macedonia.
In Australia there are two chapters, one in Sydney and the other in Perth.
Rotary Means Business Fellowship has a number of positive attributes for Rotary. It assists in the retention of Rotarians by offering another dimension to their membership; provides a way to encourage new membership; supplements the service and fellowship of Rotary; and, strengthens the Vocational Avenue of Service.
Rotarians Against Malaria are looking for a Supervisor for District 9800. This key role is an essential part in maintaining communication about RAM projects throughout the world and engaging clubs in our District in projects.
About RAM
Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) works to eliminate malaria, a disease that is not only a significant cause of death in the poorer nations of the world, but is also a significant direct cause of poverty. Working to control and eliminate malaria is a good fit with Rotary’s ideals and areas of focus. Currently, the key emphasis is to eliminate malaria in the Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. RAM is an approved activity of Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS).
The role
The RAM District Supervisor is responsible for:
Raising awareness within Rotary, Rotaract and the general public, of the huge humanitarian benefits gained through the control and elimination of malaria in endemic countries.
Raising funds and support for RAM’s malaria elimination programs.
Encouraging Rotary Volunteers travelling abroad, to seek medical advice on avoiding malaria infection.
Contributing to RAM strategic planning and program development through forums at the RAM Annual Conference and routine communications.
Identifying Rotary Projects within their District that could contribute to RAM’s objectives and seeking RAM endorsement, assistance and coordination for such projects.
Seeking support from the District Governor and District Management team for RAM initiatives such as Rotary Foundation Global Grants in support of RAM programs.
For a full Position Description and to submit expressions of interest, please contact the Southern Region RAM Supervisor at chriswilliams31@outlook.com
International Peace Day is on 21st September, 2020 and there is a lot that you can do. As we approach the event, Networker will be publishing a range of new information and resources, but to get you started, why not take a free Training course at the Rotary Positive Peace Academy or even turn your club into a Peacebuilder Club.
Rotary District 9800 Inc.
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I am so inspired by our new Rotarians! During these difficult times, it is great to see the enthusiasm in which our new members are embraced by their clubs and the quick involvement they have in projects.
The Current Situation
This October, Walk With Us for those who can’t
I joined Rotary in 1976 when setting up a factory in Eaglehawk, and was invited to a meeting by a contractor. It appealed as a way of getting to know other people in my new home, and so that marked the beginning of my long journey with Rotary.
Christina was inducted back into the Rotary Club of Melbourne on 17th June this year after taking a break. She first came into contact with Rotary in 1973 when she participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, a program that saw her make a number of life-long friends.
My father was a keen Rotarian, first with Keilor and then with Carlton, and from him, I developed respect for what Rotary does.
This Fellowship’s mission statement is: “Rotary Means Business encourages Rotarians to support the success of their fellow Rotarians by doing business with them, and by referring others to them.”
