DG Bernie's Message - FROM THE CHAIR
AUGUST IS MEMBERSHIP MONTH - Membership is our most important topic because
Rotary would not exist if there were no members. Our work in the world
would be severely curtailed and hampered if our membership numbers fell
dramatically. There would be very less people to Lead the Way to make
our world a better place for everyone.
So much for the negative vibes; let us shake off
the gloom and put on our positive smile that has propelled Rotary
through the past 101 years.
This year, District 9800 is going to pass the
3,000 member mark again and go forward towards completing positive
programmes for those in need and who require our help. We have plans in
place to turn membership around and I am delighted that our Club
Presidents this year have confidently predicted increases in membership
in their Clubs. So how can we assist to achieve these
goals?
Ensure that the fun and fellowship light is
burning brightly and its flame is kept alive by all members being part
of the enjoyment that all Rotarians should experience at all times.
Still progress your projects but employ your business principles in an
endeavour that sees everyone revelling in the satisfaction of
achievement and experiencing the power of Rotary in everything we do.
Remember, we do not come to Rotary meetings to be bored or lectured to
but we commit ourselves to working with our fellow members to make
someone else’s life a little easier.
We are going to expand our network of Clubs by
starting with groups attached as committees to existing Clubs with the
sole objective of eventually commencing a new Club. This process could
take two or three years but we need to start somewhere. These groups
will be called Satellite Groups and will form the nucleus of new Clubs
where the Rotarians will have some experience and will continue to be
monitored by their sponsoring Club. Satellite groups will also give us a
chance to review progress and ensure that we have chosen the right areas
for development.
Part of our plans is to strengthen existing
Clubs by concentrating on interaction in the Clusters so that all Clubs
will feel the importance of belonging and calling on the strength of
neighbouring Clubs to assist when times are a little difficult. On
District, we will provide direct assistance through the Assistant
Governors and, when required, key Past Presidents who have steered
successful Clubs and who will stand with the management of the Club and
become the mentor and guide to enable the Club to progress and
strengthen until it is once again, self sufficient. If the situation is
deemed irretrievable, we will seek to merge the Club with another in the
District.
These are some of the ways we are employing to
bolster our membership, however, everyone must play their part to
promote membership and to make sure that your fellow members also enjoy
Rotary so they will sustain their membership for the long term and truly
be recognised as very special Rotarians. At the Induction of a new
member we offer them the right hand of fellowship. Let us hope that the
right hand gets very tired.
Together let us Lead the
Way.
DG Bernie
Walshe
Information Resources
for New Club Officers - A 
District Governor Bernie
Walshe is sad to advise that