Visit by District Governor - Ken McInerney

He addressed the members of the Club with a thought provoking speech that challenged Rotarians to endeavour to work outside of their comfort zone and to think beyond the tendency of many Rotarians who resist change and just keep on doing things the way they have always been done.  

He believed that Rotary was under siege to maintain memberships and to remain relevant in the community if it couldn't attract younger members -  expressing the view that Rotary was not currently popular in the general community. He informed the members that some Rotary districts in Australia had collapsed totally as they could not retain the membership numbers required to be classified as a District - which currently stands at 1200 members. This loss of numbers does not help Rotary sell the message as to what "Rotary Clubs and Rotarians do" - the important things like the fight to eradicate polio, reduce malaria, provide aid in under-developed countries and take up other world-wide humanitarian causes.  Polio, he said, had almost been eradicated but there had subsequently been a recent increase in cases found in the world from a low of 16 a year ago to 250 at present, due mainly to an upsurge in cases in Somalia, to which Rotary International had put up $500K to assist fighting polio in this region.

Ken highlighted the view of RI President, Ron Burton, who recently challenged District Governors on the need to better sell Rotary to the community.  He asked "How many people in the local community knew what the Rotary Club of Port Fairy did"?  Ken firmly believed we need to change what we do to "sell Rotary" in order to bring it to the attention of the community and foster an environment where people would want to join a Rotary club because it would be seen to be a good thing.  Such people need to be convinced to seek out to be a Rotarian rather than just be recruited by traditional recruitment drives.  In this regard, District 9780 Club Strengthening Grants are available to clubs to help sell the message and boost membership and clubs need to take advantage of these grants.

Ken also spoke of a recently floated, multi-district grant that will finance a media campaign targeting press, TV and radio, using Rotarians to promote what is good about Rotary and to encourage people to get involved.  He was optimistic that such a campaign would help membership recruitment and retention.  However, he encouraged clubs to use all forms of media to sell the message and particularly promoted the use of Facebook as a means of "pushing" out the message on Rotary.  By using the viral nature of social media channels, like Facebook, we can reach many people and better promote Rotary and inform people as to what it does.

Ken spoke about some excellent recruitment initiatives he had come across in his visits across the District and highlighted the efforts of the RC of Maryborough who had held a "Ladies Night" as a recruitment forum with great success.  He also spoke about the potential to set up Associate Memberships such that newcomers can be eased into a Club without the burden of high fees (i.e. pay a modest amount on attendance only) or the need for regular attendance, graduating to full membership after 12 months.  

Pursuing the theme on attendance, he informed members that the need for regular attendance at dinner meetings is not necessarily required.  A 50% attendance record is perfectly acceptable, and that there is no rule that stipulates holding a dinner meeting every week.  He advised that the rules are there to serve as a guide only and indicated that clubs should not get too bogged down by rules.  Above all, he encouraged clubs to promote an air of Participation not attendance as a way forward to growing Rotary!

Other points touched on by Ken was the value of the Rotary Foundation explaining how donations to RI eventually flow back to a District for redistribution after a 3-year investment period and that Paul Harris Fellowships should be seen as a recognition for what a member has financially contributed to Rotary as well as what they have given by way of service.

In closing, Ken encouraged members from Port Fairy to "Go West"  - the themes for the District Conference for 2013/14 to be held 11th - 13th April in Bordertown.  He hoped that all Rotarians would consider attending the conference which his own region will be hosting.

Ken was thanked by Rotarian, Harry Bracegirdle, for his inspiring address and for the time he took to attend all the Rotary clubs in the District.