As a Rotarian, the chances are you will either put your hand up to run a project or be part of a project management team. Whether it’s a major project or organising a BBQ, success means you need skills and abilities that include being a tactical problem solver and getting on well with people. Putting together projects can be fun and, when successful, extremely satisfying.
The following tips may help when planning larger, more complex projects:
- Importance. Make sure there is a demonstrable need for the project and, before you do all the work involved in detailed planning, confirm that your Club Board is likely to find it attractive to support.
- Know your audience. Who are the beneficiaries and what you are trying to achieve with your project? Understand their needs and wants and how best to engage with them.
- Don’t go it alone. If you are putting together a big project, it’s important that you have help. Know your strengths and weaknesses in organising projects and try to get help from Rotarians who can offer additional skills.
- Listen. Listen to your team, recognise individual strengths and organise your team members in a way most likely to achieve success. The more good people you can get on your side from the beginning of the project, the more likely it will be successful. You should also find out if your Club or other Rotary Clubs in your cluster or the District have conducted similar projects and ask them what they learned. Listening helps you to avoid mistakes and to build cooperative relationships.
- Be a problem solver. Sometimes it’s tempting to rush into an exciting project before analysing all the relevant critical factors. See how much problem-solving you can do up front to contribute to the project and your team. Assess the risks that might occur and the likelihood of them occurring, and then develop strategies in case they do occur. Constantly monitor progress and amend plans when necessary. Planning is not a blueprint, but should be flexible, especially when complex environments are involved.
- Be an effective team player. Being a team player means asking for help when you need it, and respecting the views of others. Don’t wait too long to let others know that you suspect a problem is brewing. Identify the problem and its potential implications and seek immediate input from your team. Treat people the way you’d like to be treated—with respect and a sense of humanity.
- Win club support. When you have your plan in place with tasks, timing, responsibilities and costs, especially for successful implementation, prepare a Feasibility Assessment or Business Case for your Board for adoption and funding. Then, if appropriate, submit the paperwork needed to apply for Rotary Foundation funding
Rotary has thousands of successful projects running throughout the world right now. Do your Project Planning well and join them! Good luck.