Page 6 - 2020-03-Rotary-on-the-Move-Newsletter-Zone-8

‘ALPACA OR GROUNDHOG?’

Article by ARC PDG Stephen Lamont

Alpacas are protectors by their very nature and are tuned in particular to protect their family. DNA is
programmed into them to take on the responsibility of protecting their family and if you threatened the
flock, then look out.

I am reminded of a story that after a bush fire a group of alpacas could be seen continuously circling a small flock of
burnt and traumatised sheep. Other farmers had come with firearms in hand to assist and destroy the sheep. Despite
how badly affected the alpacas were from the fires, they would not let the farmers through. Nothing was going to
stop them. They did not take a backward step - it was their job to protect their flock. It was also their purpose.
Groundhogs on the other hand, do the same thing day in, day out – and complain that “nothing ever changes”. When
they do want change, they offer excuses and rarely take on the responsibility to make that change happen. They leave
it to someone else to do. Groundhogs want the magic diet shake to lose weight rather than put in the physical work
to produce a result.
The difference then between an Alpaca and a Groundhog is simple – it is about attitude.
If we care about the future of membership in our clubs then we need to bring in the Alpaca attitude. We need to
protect what we have – and the most precious commodity in our club is our own members. Rotarians do amazing
work for local and international communities but sometimes forget to look after our own flock – our members. We
have heard about doing member health checks – and they are simple to do – but most importantly we need to
implement the findings.
Health checks can be individualised for every club – if we do not ask members what they are feeling and what they
want - and then worse, do not implement some of the suggestions – then we are not protecting our flock. A health
check does not need to be lengthy. It could simply focus on four areas:
• Opportunities for Service: are we providing enough? What opportunities do you want?
• Quality of Projects: are they exciting and worthwhile? Are you willing to drive your own project?
• Social Activities: are they open to all and inviting? Are they diverse and reflect what you enjoy?
• Fun: are we having enough? What could we do to have more fun?
A healthy club should be open to new ideas and involve all members, providing them with the opportunity to have a
voice in any future direction. A membership that has diverse perspectives and backgrounds will certainly fuel
innovation and at the same time become a better reflection of the local community and it’s needs.

Healthy and engaged members have shared purpose and shared enjoyment. They ask others to be part of what they
enjoy.
They protect their flock. They have the Alpaca attitude.

‘PUTTING UP OUR “WELCOME” SIGN IN ROTARY’
Extracts from an article by Cecily Smith, RC Metro NYC, Zone 32 ARC
From Beyond Borders, Zones 24 & 32 Newsletter, December 2019 edition
How welcoming does your Rotary Club appear?
… Think about how your Rotary Club might appear to a brand-new person who shows up. How might
it appear to someone from a marginalized identity group walking in, unsure of what Rotary is and what their
welcome would be? If they were to look at your website or Facebook page, would that show your club as inclusive
and welcoming, and entice them to come to a meeting?
… a new person, possibly from a marginalized group and unsure of what Rotary is, walking into your
club meeting for the first time.
• How long before they are greeted?
• Will a number of your members come over to introduce them-selves?
• Does your club have a song or prayer that might make some-one uncomfortable?
• Do you have members that will be making “jokes” ... that really aren’t funny and might be considered hurtful
or offensive?
• Is your club set up to follow up in a friendly and timely fashion to invite this person back?

The desire to be of service to our community and the world and find fellowship is universal;
having our “Welcome” sign visible in Rotary can only help broaden our appeal to all.

Rotary on the Move March 2020 Page 6