DG George's message for September
Month Theme: New Generations Month
I have now visited 45 of 55 clubs. My blog should have communicated the pure joy of these visits.
September is New Generations Month. Membership is the number one concern of clubs that I have visited. All would like to recruit younger members. Here are some suggestions:
• In the urban areas, consider a “New Generations” club. There are two major barriers to young people: cost and time. Yet, this generation is far more tuned to service project than my generation. I would like to see a New Generation club established in an urban area. Like the Jaycees and the Junior League, they would age out at 35 or 40. At that point, they could be incorporated into the club of their choice. The meetings would be at 5 or 5:30 pm and not involve a meal. Purchase a drink of your choice and have a one hour meeting.
• John Kenny’s goal for membership is net one new member for each club, retain 80% of existing members and establish two new clubs. One is underway at Lake Wylie. I would like the second to be a new generations club somewhere. Greenville is the logical place.
• Consider partnering on a service project with organizations of young people. I mentioned Jaycees and Junior Leagues. There are also young professional organizations. Call your local Chamber of Commerce to find out who is active in your area. Often the Chamber is responsible for these organizations. It will give the clubs a chance to meet young people.
We had the Membership Seminar on August 29 in Greenville. It is the first meeting that I remember (admittedly a questionable basis) that all 12 areas were represented. Thanks to all of the AG’s for either attending or finding someone to attend. The membership reps have been asked to hold similar sessions in each area. We gave each Rep a copy of Mary Chapman’s book, Growing Rotary. This is a great book with what I think are new strategies. Example: take your newest members and put them on the membership committee. They are enthusiastic and provide you a whole new range of contacts.
The Australia GSE Team has been selected. We are still soliciting resumes for the forestry exchange with British Columbia. If you know of young professionals between the ages of 25 and 40, and who are involved in some aspect of forestry (timber production, pulp and paper, board companies, service providers), please ask them to apply.
I have sent an e-mail to the Presidents about a trip to Haiti from November 12 – 17. It will be a workshop conducted by Zone 33 and a trip to Cange to see specific projects that District 7750 has supported. WE can take six people from the District. If you are interested in going, please contact Charles Warne at cwarne@hewittcoleman.com.
Zone 33 has asked for each District to hold a polio project during the week of February 23, 2010. The AG’s have recommended a walkathon, celebrating the 5 million people who can walk today thanks to Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio. We will have proclamations from Governor’s and Mayors. I would like to see Walkathons in Aiken, Rock Hill, Greenwood, Spartanburg, Greenville and Anderson-Clemson. We are compiling exactly what will be required. If you are interested in this project, please contact me.
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