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REGIONAL MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Article by Barbara Mifsud, Regional Membership Officer, Membership Development, South Pacific and
Ph ilippines Office, barbara.mifsud@rotary.org, https://www.facebook.com/barbara.mifsud.1

ONLINE CLUB MEETINGS
The current pandemic has forced us to rethink how we connect with one another. Online and offline
platforms are helping strangers form social connections, which are crucial for our health, especially in a
pandemic. In How to Meet New People, Even at a Distance, Dr Arthur Aron, a psychology professor at
Stony Brook University and co-creator of the popular 36 Questions that Lead to Love, says one way to find closeness with
strangers is to “do exciting things together” and share a “feeling you have things in common.” Rotary clubs can still provide
service and connection to members in virtual settings. Here are just a few examples of Rotary clubs who have discovered
how to serve their communities and connect with one another during the past several months:
• Rotary Club of Thane East and District Membership Chair Satish Mane from District 3142 (India) initiated the
idea of making washbasins with liquid dispensers and fitting them into drums with the Rotary logo, to encourage
people to wash their hands and break the chain of virus transmission. These Mobile Washbasins were made using
scrap materials and at much lesser cost and have been installed at heavily crowded places like government
sanitation departments, railways stations, vegetable and fish markets, bus depots, temples and gardens.
• Rotary Club of Chicago Lakeview has started adding “quaranthemes” to their meetings where each member
competes by choosing a unique background (or even a costume or props) based on that theme. The winner gets a
gift card and selects the quarantheme for the next meeting. The quarantheme for a recent meeting was board
games.
• Rotary Club of New Albany, Ohio (District 6690) used a district grant to purchase a 3D printer for Form5
Prosthetics. The non-profit manufactures prosthetics for individuals with limb differences but has dedicated part
of their production capacity to making face shields for first responders and medical professionals. Update: The
non-profit has produced over 3000 face shields so far.
Share tips, resources, and best practices with your club leaders on running online meetings by visiting our updated Online
Club Meetings webpage.
NEW! WEBINAR RECORDING ‘DESIGN AN INCLUSIVE PLAN FOR YOUR ORGANISATION’
Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds and we’re committed to reflecting the
communities we serve by being inclusive of all cultures, experiences and identities. Throughout 2020-21 Rotary’s
Membership Development department will host a webinar series to help members understand and implement diversity,
equity and inclusion principles.
But where do you start? To effect real change we need to create a plan that welcomes all people, extends to all activities
and has measurable results. By designing an inclusive plan for your organisation, you can ensure that current policies,
programs or structures provide equal access and opportunity to those who may be unintentionally excluded or
marginalised. Watch the recording of Design an Inclusive Plan for Your Organization and jump start a conversation
on how you can create an inclusion framework in your district and clubs!
SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD NOMINATIONS
Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond by helping others and working to better their communities?
Rotary’s Service Above Self Award honours Rotarians who demonstrate their commitment to helping others by
volunteering their time and talents. District governors may nominate one candidate from their districts to receive this
award in the 2020-21 Rotary year by submitting an online nomination form between 1-31 October. Not sure of how to
write your nomination form? Check out How to Write a Compelling Nomination for tips and recommendations.
NEW! WEBINAR ‘NEW STYLE ROTARY CLUBS FORUM – SESSION 1 AND SESSION 2’
Paul Harris said we have to be revolutionary from time to time. Now is the time! One way to do this is by creating new club
models and rethinking what it means to be in Rotary. Research shows a link between membership growth, new clubs and
different models. We need to start clubs not only in areas where there are no Rotary clubs, but in areas where potential
members are either unable or unwilling to join existing clubs. In the ‘New Style Rotary Clubs Forum’ webinar series you
will get to engage with a range of local speakers who will share their knowledge and experience: why, how, successes and
lessons learned. Be inspired, be bold and a start a new Rotary club.
REGISTER FOR SESSION 2 now! Hear District Membership Chair and DGE Nick Courtney (NZ) talk about chartering
the RC of Rolleston (featured in this RISPPO Facebook post). Learn the steps that President Rebecca Fry took to
successfully charter the RC of Social Impact Network.
Thursday 8 October 2020, 6–7pm AEST/ 8-9pm NZST / 3-4pm AWST / 5-6pm Brisbane / 3-4pm PHST
If you missed Session 1 it’s not too late! Hear DG Andy Rajapakse (Gold Coast, Australia) talk about membership growth
through new club development. Assistant Rotary Coordinator PDG Karen Purdue (NZ) shares her ‘tips and trips’ when
developing various new generations clubs. Watch a recording of Session 1 here
MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS AS AT 31 AUGUST 2020
Comparison to 1 July Worldwide Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands
Demographics Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands
Membership leads Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands

Rotary on the Move October 2020 Page 2