‘We need to change our image’ – District Governor Paul Brown
That was part of a strong and serious message delivered by visiting Rotary District Governor 7020 Mr Paul Brown while addressing members of all the Rotary Clubs in the Virgin Islands yesterday November 5, 2014 at the Moorings at a joint Luncheon.
“We’ve been spending a lot of time talking about attracting members. We talk about making Rotary look good, we talk about public image, we talk about all the things we can do to get people interested in Rotary membership. But we haven’t been talking enough about something that’s even more important, and that’s making Rotary membership work for all of our members, so that they don’t just join a Rotary club — but stay and become Rotarians,” Mr Brown further stressed.
The District Governor’s appealed continued as he said, “Let us show our communities what Rotary is, what we do and who we are. Let us seize this opportunity to enhance our public image, engage partners and attract new members. Light Up Rotary is our theme, but it is more than our theme. It is how we live in Rotary, how we think in Rotary, how we feel, how we work.
It is how we make a difference — every day, in every club, every district, and every country where we serve.”
According to Mr Brown Rotarians are the ones to Light Up Rotary and to let its light shine. They are the ones to say, yes, there are people who care, and who are capable, and who are making a difference. “We are the ones who say no one should sit alone in the darkness. Instead, we can come together; all 1.2 million of us, to Light up Rotary. This is our job. This is our challenge,” he said.
He said that in 2014-15, as they strengthen clubs and Light Up Rotary in more than 34,000 communities, their commitment and services will light up the world.
DG Brown also stressed the need to bring Rotaract and Interact closer and to reach out to Youth Exchange and Foundation alumni. In so doing they hope to strengthen the Family of Rotary. These are strategies that have worked well in the Far East and Africa where they are experiencing a doubling of membership in their Clubs. “We need to ensure that Rotary becomes a part of the entire family,” he stressed.
“I ask you to focus on your own clubs, and look realistically at why members stay, and why they leave. What can you do to make being a Rotarian an appealing and attractive opportunity for busy professionals and those with young families?” asked DG Brown.
He pointed out that there are many Rotary clubs in the District that are doing just fine, with a growing membership, productive service, and engaged Rotarians. But there are many more that are standing still or going in the opposite direction.
“You may not be aware, but over the last two years, D7020 has shrunken in size. Just when we thought there were different from the Districts of the mainland in Zone 34, they have been hemorrhaging too. According to statistics recently published District 7020 lost 30 members in 12-13, and 74 members in 13-14. Part of our job as district leaders will be to identify those clubs and help them turn things around,” he said.
“And that will mean figuring out what’s not working in those clubs — and the best ways for them to move forward. It will mean helping them to think creatively, and honestly, about how to engage Rotary — and how to grow for the future. And, in many cases, that may mean doing things a little bit differently than they are being done now. We must not be afraid of change nor to effect change,” expressed DG Brown.
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9 Responses to “‘We need to change our image’ – District Governor Paul Brown”
Everything about the Rotary is for show, but can anyone say here in Tortola, the Rotary truly help our activity or program and didn't want any publicity, they really just wanted to help?