Thank you to all Rotarians who participated in our Feb car show which was highly successful albeit the weather was less than inviting last Wed. We managed just under 300 cars and the bar was kept busy enough. We are on track for a great fundraising effort for the Royal Children's Hospital. Today, we assisted with car parking and cooking sausages for the Annual Warratina Lavender Farm Dogs Day Out. Whilst the weather was less than ideal with hot sultry winds the event was extremely well attended. It seems everyone has a dog looking for a day out! We will have raised in excess of $500, thanks to those 6 Rotarians who assisted!
Tonight, I would like to highlight the ever-perpetuating problem of membership.
Growing our membership is one of Rotary’s top priorities, both in the South Pacific and around the world. But particularly in Wandin.
More members means we can do more good in our communities. It also means more people can experience the personal and professional growth that comes with being part of Rotary!
And to grow Rotary in the South Pacific, it’s vital to not only ensure existing clubs are thriving but also start new clubs.
Statistics show that regions where Rotary is growing are successful at attracting and retaining members in existing clubs, as well as starting new clubs. Conversely, regions with declining membership numbers do not start new clubs, or do not start enough new clubs to replace those that have closed.
In the last three years, Rotary South Pacific chartered just over twenty Rotary clubs – not enough to replace the close to 120 clubs that resigned their charters over the same time.
But you can help grow Rotary by being a new club champion! You can identify opportunities and gaps where a new club could flourish in your community. It is for this reason why we should consider a satellite club for younger personnel. We need you to identify those aged between 25 and 50 who know about Rotary and would like to contribute to their community. They are likely to be your siblings and relatives.
Worldwide, 88% of members in new clubs are new to Rotary. New clubs can also attract a more diverse range of members, which can lead to better problem solving and outcomes. We need the next generation to continue the many great proje cts that Wandin has been a part of over the past 40 years.
In Rotary South Pacific over the last number of years, 54% of people in new Rotary clubs are women and 21% are under forty years old. This is impressive given that overall, only 32% of members in our region are women and only 4% are under forty.
So what is a satellite club ? Satellite clubs allow members and prospective members to create a new club experience while benefiting from the support of an established local club. This club type requires fewer members, in fact as few as 8. They would be independent , make their own by laws, meet when they want, and likely form a new group of Wandin Rotarians. Please discuss this project with your fellow Rotarians and in particular Gavan, Anita or Paul
Dont forget, let Ray know your attendence at Barefoot Bowls this Wed night at the Chirnside Park Country Club.
Thats it from me, I will be missing for a week or so attending to family matters in Sydney,
Yours in Rotary, PAUL
