The full results of the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot vote were shared on Wednesday: 90% of Zone 8 clubs voted Yes. Within District 9800, the proposal secured overwhelming support with 98.44% of clubs voting Yes. I’m very pleased to note that every club voted.
The willingness of our members to embrace our evolving circumstances by trying new approaches is incredibly heartening, and inspires me with confidence for the future of our projects, clubs and movement. No doubt, this was envisaged by Paul Harris when he proclaimed, “This is a changing world, we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.” If ever we needed licence to have a red hot go at new approaches, this is it.
On behalf of all members of our district, congratulations and thank-you to PDG Grant Hocking and the District Regionalisation team for enfranchising our clubs in this important milestone. Our 100% participation certifies that clubs felt informed, involved and supported in voting on the future of Rotary in our zone, and potentially the world.
Thank you PDG Grant Hocking, PDG Peter Frueh, PDG Philip Archer, PDG Julie Mason, PDG Murray Verso, Kathy Hall, Gabe Hau, Tony Laycock, Cathie Macmillan, Lesley McArthur, Jane Pennington, Chris Richardson, Amrit Singh, Casey Tan and John Wall. Great work!
Rotary International Board will now consider the voting results at their upcoming October meeting. If they green-light this pilot for our zone, a modernisation process commences that should see significant change at District level; centralising administration and duplicated requirements, freeing up our volunteer leaders to focus on making a difference for the community and making leadership positions more accessible. Our clubs will be able to demonstrate a clear, realistic path for community leadership to prospective members, complementing our service project expertise and vocational advantage.
Rotary District 9800 acknowledges our clubs’ appetite to progress and thrive – to grow – as demonstrated by your comprehensive accord on this vote. Our clubs know their community best, and District is dedicated to helping your club make an even bigger difference for your community, by helping you connect with more volunteers from across the community, converting participants into members, and developing community leaders. Find out how, with simple action plans and resources at growmyclub.org
End Polio Walk
It’s that time of year to dust off the trainers and join us for the annual Walk with Us for Polio. Now in it’s third year, Rotarians around the country walk, run or roll 10, 20 or 50km throughout the month of October to raise vital funds that will help eradicate and prepare us for a Polio free world.
It’s not too late to register and/or join or start a team. Walk or run in your own time or join in with one of our dedicated events on Saturday 22nd October, Albert Park Lake at 11am or if you’re attending the Zone Institute in Canberra on Sunday 30th from the Novotel Canberra.
Register or donate here: https://www.rotarywalkwithus.org
Membership
Our Volunteer with the DG events are demonstrating that those 3-in-10 Australians who volunteer are incredibly responsive to our meaningful, hands on, convenient projects. Which is fantastic, because Rotary clubs are world leaders at offering them. Once you’ve got a volunteer participating regularly in your project, it’s a good time to ask them what they’re looking for in membership of a club like yours. Find out more about meaningful, hands on, convenient projects, and offering a membership experience that volunteers are seeking, at growmyclub.org
Many of our clubs are already seeing success. At publication, our District is +31 members. Congratulations to the following clubs who have had a terrific start to the year, especially Rotary Club of Malvern who have welcomed seven new members:
+7 Malvern
+4 Glenferrie
+3 Camberwell, Chadstone/East Malvern, Woodend