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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
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