It's our Time

 

One day, I want my Rotary Club to be big and strong, full of passionate people ready to do great work in the community. A Club of Rotarians who are outstanding and inspiring role models AND can walk the talk. Well connected and able to accomplish any project with friends and business associates' help no matter how complex. Ready to step up at a moments notice when an opportunity arises. Fellowship, fun and meaningful service.

 

That is my idea of how a Rotary Club should be. It is my job to reinvent the Club to deliver a greater impact in our community and around the world just by being well organised, focused and collaborative. How hard could that be when there are opportunities for meaningful projects all around us. Demands for what Rotary has to offer are everywhere. All we need are people who want to get involved, get inspired and get making a difference. 

To fulfil meaningful projects, we need focused people who have the enthusiasm, passion and drive to see those projects to completion. As we learned from Jarrod Flanigan at our 7^th April meeting, some projects have multiple layers of expertise required to do them well. Our current membership needs to understand that anyone can contribute to a successful project by working in any area from administration to front of house. We have most of the skills lurking in our members, but we need to build some confidence that your work will be appreciated, your skillset will be improved and our work will be recognized.

Talking to many, I learned that some people don't put their hands up because they are worried that they might be seen as idiots. They make excuses to cover up and then end up in the Rotary halfway house. Want to help, but too scared to have a go. So here is a tip from me. Don't worry; I still have no idea what I am doing, and no one has told me I am an idiot (yet). Rotary has provided me with opportunities for learning and upskilling. Rotary projects have been good areas to practice what has been learned. Ideas and Planning have helped me understand thought processes and working with other people. Empathy has been the hardest thing to learn because there is so much you need to understand first before you can feel the impacts you can make with your actions on others. Each step allows for mentoring and sharing experiences. It takes time and steps to feel what Rotary can deliver. If you never take a chance, you won't ever immerse your life enough to experience the impact that Rotary really makes.

 

So getting back to Jarrod's talk on Vocational Awards. I had no idea of the strength of recognition on the development of young people. I still have a lot to learn! It was a real eye-opener to learn everything about running a great Vocational Awards Event from a person with experience. I do hope members will be putting their hands up to make this project a reality.