Well, 6 months of the Rotary year has passed and there is a real buzz around the Clubs that Rotary is returning to normal at last. Most Clubs are now meeting regularly once again as the tight space restrictions at venues have eased.
I’m almost half-way through my year as Governor and it has been a busy time. I’ve managed to do just on 50 Club visits. I regret 24 of those had to be by zoom but the effort to personaly visit as many Clubs as I can is well worth it. Meeting such a variety of Rotarians across the District has been a real pleasure. The range of projects and activities in which they are engaged is most impressive and we’ll see a selection of these highlighted at the District conference. History has been to the fore in some clubs with Molong’s historic walks project, Grenfell’s history of their Club’s formation in 1947, and Bega’s history of Carp Street.
It was great to be able to participate in the induction of 5 new members at Parkes Rotary Club during my visit, and of 7 new members at Nowra Rotary Club. Well done all concerned.
But many clubs are facing a perfect storm of an ageing membership and low recruitment over the past twenty years or so. This leads to a real challenge to encourage members to take on Club leadership roles, especially that of President Elect. Failure to elect an incoming President and Board seriously impacts the ability of the Club to remain a viable entity within Rotary.
But the Membership Development team have an exciting new initiative coming up in March. We have President Elect and Club Development seminars in multiple places this year to make is easier for you all to participate in the training sessions.
In February Canberra Sundowners will be holding their Charter celebration - much delayed due to COVID. International Women’s Day breakfast is on the 8th March. And there will be many more great events on the 2022 calendar.
May we wish you all the very best for Christmas and for the new year.
Leo and Elaine Farrelly