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‘WHAT ARE YOUR DISTRICT AND CLUBS DOING TO ENGAGE MEMBERS IN OUR COVID-19 WORLD?’
Article by RC PDG Tim Moore
As in the rest of the world, in Australia, NZ and Pacific Islands we are cancelling our district
conferences, our leadership training, president preparation and now our club meetings in response
the virus escalation. Most of these are prescribed by our governments and, of course, we must take
the best advice and caution to look after our fellow Rotarians.
Many clubs are taking a recess in meetings in the next 2 months – how are we going to keep our connections with
our membership, our communities in this difficult time? How long is it going to be for? In the words of ARC Brian
Coffey, “perhaps, this will give some the exit door they have been waiting for, and we could see a mass exodus of
members who were sitting on the fence. Engagement, and the indication of caring for your members, could
dramatically change any such interpretation of their value to their club and Rotary”.
Imagine the disconnect for members if they are not involved – imagine the potential drain of members, particularly
our older ones, who lose their fellowship and community connection and decide in June not renew their Rotary
membership. This could be our biggest membership challenge to be faced ever!
What is your club and district doing about this potential but real threat?
This list of ideas is not exhaustive and I would welcome your feedback on what you are doing to reduce the possible
effect on your clubs and members:
• Hold meetings online using Zoom, Skype – many districts have licenses you can use for free.
• Hold district webinars weekly that clubs can share with their members (this could be zone or worldwide)
• Use key conference presenters, many whom are keen to present still, in short webinars, blogs or YouTube
that can be shared. Our regional magazine is looking at facilitating this via their website
• Use social media apps, such as WhatsApp, as a closed group, to help your members keep in touch and
communicate with other – that feeling of belonging!
• Use Board ‘Buddies’ – i.e. board members connect directly with a group of members each week. That
feeling we care.
• Find ways to contribute to projects that can be done online, at home in small groups, via social media –
to feel we still can continue our great service.
• An example: D9800’s www.rotaryvolunteer.org.au
Some great tips and tricks from our Rotary friends in District 6690 in Ohio USA can be found at
https://rotary6690.org/maintaining-engagement/
‘HOW TO ENGAGE MEMBERS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC’
From Rotary Voices Posted on March 19, 2020
Article by George Robertson-Burnett, Zone 34 Rotary Coordinator and PDG District 6890
These are certainly interesting times we live in. None of us could have foreseen these extraordinary
circumstances brought on by the pandemic of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.
Rotary clubs everywhere are wrestling with the question. How do we maintain membership engagement
during the pandemic?
Well, this is Rotary and I am sure that these challenges will bring out our considerable strengths – ingenuity,
decisiveness, flexibility, and integrity.
Here in Zone 34 (Georgia, Florida, USA and Caribbean), our
Rotary Coordinator team has put together a guide to assist
clubs in their efforts to maintain membership engagement
during these difficult times. The suggestions are not
exhaustive, and many clubs will surely come up with new ideas
as their ingenuity and adaptability finds new and innovative
ways to maintain our fellowship. But we wanted to offer this
guide to all clubs as they explore online meetings and other
adaptive solutions.
… We suggest you check with e-clubs in your area for help and
Keep members engaged through virtual advice on structuring online meetings.
meeting platforms
Download our Coronavirus Response Guide.
Replies to this article on the following page.
Rotary on the Move April 2020 Page 3