It’s tough. Keeping People of Action physically distanced from others – and their projects! So what is an enthusiastic Rotarian to do? We are seeing lots of action – from making masks and delivering food baskets – to creating new fundraising projects. And we are seeing great use of the five Zoom licenses that the District has purchased – that is great. Speakers are presenting wonderful programs – and your district leadership team is available to you if you want a speaker on Zoom Best Practices, ClubRunner, Foundation, Polio, International Services, Strategic Planning, Youth, Membership and Club models – just ask! As always, we are ready to support you in any way that we can – invite us! We’ll be there. Send an email to Louisa with your request – rotarylouisa@gmail.com
What else? Here is a list of ideas that Doug Logan shared at the recent TLC...
- Take advantage of the opportunity of time that you’ve been given. Learn something new – Rotary Learning Center has wonderful modules on many topics.
- Look after your people. Don’t text, email, etc. Call them. Don’t let them go dark.
- Don’t easily accept their “I’m fine.” It’s what we say to be polite. Call them again.
- Crisis affects us all in different ways. Just because they sound strong doesn’t mean that’s how they feel inside. Call again.
- Look after your people. Listen. Help older members connect. Can they use technology?
- Focus on the brand. Put it front and center in what you do. Use the new imaging. Critically assess your social media and webpage and look for ways to make it more appealing to potential Rotary participants.
- Re-discover your purpose. Engage your members in understanding why you serve. Why fund raise? It isn’t about the money. It’s about a need -- environment, seniors, indigenous, youth, literacy, homeless, food impoverished, disabled, etc. Talk to each other to understand what it is that most resonates with you and build responses based on that.
- Look for partners. Leverage your brand. Rotaract, Interact, other clubs, other service organizations, not-for-profits, businesses. Your community is full of opportunities to create new allies and allegiances.
- Create new opportunities to serve and connect.
- Support a local artist to put on a virtual show for virtual tips: Musicians can perform, Artists can draw, Poets can recite, Writers can write and all of them can give lessons.
- Host virtual theme parties
- Students can show you how to game online, or use technology, social media platforms, etc.
- Community sing along (one club in Alaska is doing this in partnership with a local radio station)
- Karaoke night
- Cooking lessons and/or with multicultural flavour
- Members can host a travelogue
- Host a book review club, movie review club
- Virtual prom – many clubs in North America are celebrating their high school graduates with various events or with photos on street banners etc.
- Create new systems and processes. Use this opportunity to examine and evaluate how the club operates.
- Meetings? Where? When? How? Why? Too often we’ve fallen into the habit of meeting to meet not for a purpose.
- Find new ways to inject energy and creativity.
- Fees? Dues? What are people doing with the meal $ they’re saving?
- Survey your members!
- Look at your risk management plan
- New club models. Passport clubs, single issue/cause-based clubs, corporate, etc.
- Look after your people
- Contact Doug for help with membership questions
Another great idea we heard about was a pop-up drive-in movie idea to celebrate “release” when we are no longer physically distancing. Some clubs elsewhere are planning such an event with food trucks etc. and renting equipment to show a movie on the side of a building! What a great way to welcome a community back after the long stay at home.
Do you have other ideas? Share them with us and we’ll share them with others.