By Tricia Reardon
It’s not so surprising that Sandi Fulcher has had a long involvement with Rotary with many achievements under her belt – one could say she was destined for it. After all, both her father and stepfather were Rotarians and her mother was a member of Rotary Melbourne, becoming its first female president in 2004/5.
Initially the Charter President for Rotaract Donvale in 1984, Sandi joined Rotary in 2003 whilst working in London as the General Manager of Burberry Airports. It was her mother who influenced the decision when visiting Sandi and suggesting that they attend a club meeting at Rotary Heathrow. Witnessing the 18-member powerhouse, Sandi had no hesitation in becoming a member. Returning to Australia, she felt the same energy and enthusiasm at Rotary Chadstone/East Malvern and joined the club in 2005. What struck her most about both clubs was that all members were fully engaged, committing to projects and events without a moment’s hesitation, and that the members of both clubs enjoyed so much fun. What’s more, members never missed a meeting.
Since then, Sandi has held numerous Rotary roles from Club President to Assistant Governor (twice) and District Secretary for Foundation and again for Membership & Marketing. She has also been a club visioning facilitator for many years, not to mention her role as Project Administration Coordinator for the Rotary Australia-wide project EndTrachoma and previously executive assistant for Stephanie Woollard at Seven Women. Sandi is someone who seizes opportunities and has relished the experiences that Rotary has given her. She has been to India, Papua New Guinea, Nepal and Timor-Leste as part of Rotary teams for various projects, and has seen the amazing connections that being a Rotarian provides – connections that have also allowed her to explore different career opportunities outside of her long and successful career in the retail sector.
Now Sandi is taking on the role of Club Service Chair in the new Rotary year, eager to assist clubs enhance the passion for service in their members. She believes that Club Service is “the mortar between the bricks that make up a Rotary club” and her mission is to strengthen that mortar. She would like to see all clubs have a Club Service Chair/Director and that those who hold this role fully engage with members to ensure the health of the club. “Club Service is a partnering role,” says Sandi. “Understanding what a healthy club looks like is so important and Club Service is pivotal to making sure existing members are fully engaged and have fun too,” she adds.
Sandi has a great ‘mud map’ that is driving her plans for the year ahead. She is focused on making sure that clubs use District as a strong resource and support. Her stints as Assistant Governor have given her a good insight to how clubs differ culturally, but still have the same goals around member engagement and the need for strong underlying fundamentals that hold clubs and their members together...that mortar between the bricks!