Chamber President Tony Romano welcoming attendees at Business After Hours hosted by The Esplanade
Melville Cockburn Chamber of Commerce Business Sundowner.
Ray, Logan and I attended the CoC Business Sundowner at ‘The Esplanade’, in Fremantle last Wed evening, and enjoyed both the hospitality and the opportunity to network the Rotary story with the diverse mix of business folk present.
I spoke with many who, whilst understanding the role of community volunteering and Rotary, didn’t know too much about how we went about it, how they may become involved or really, whether that is what they were would be prepared to commit too.
The old ‘what’s in it for me’, in todays difficult world of commercial realities, is the key to tapping the opportunities, and we need to look at this as part of our Membership offers.
How can we present a compelling offer?
For example, hosting a joint CoC Sundowner in Applecross/Melville, and having the centrepiece as THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING with Rotary.
We would need a professional, quality presentation, and back this with perhaps regular Business Leader Guest AxR speaker activities, … again sponsoring our Business and Apprenticeship Awards, …. and helping business better appreciate the ‘what’s in it for me’ business Community ‘give-back’ experience.
All of this can fit our plans for new Members, but, as always, it demands a CHAMPION to make it happen!
Any offers?
A FOLLOWUP MEMBERSHIP MEETING TOMORROW.
Lots of ideas tossed around at our M/ship meeting last week, and we hope to make some planning progress after tomorrow mornings meeting.
AGREED: Yes, there is the need for a change in how we approach attracting ‘newbies’ but this is not about changing the traditional values of AxR as an organisation.
Our strengths must not be underscored or taken for granted.
Rather, we look at our changing world and see how we might adapt our offer, as a community volunteer organisation, to the needs of todays community expectations of ‘giving back’.
A THREE PRONGED ATTACK.
1. YOUTH. Logan is to present his ideas around engaging with the younger age groups, such as Rotoract, and the new business professionals.
2. OVER 30’s. Tom is keen to develop opportunities for the over 30’s, perhaps already community engaged, with families etc and busy lives to be attracted to AxR
For each group, the plan is to answer the ‘what’s in it for me’ and perhaps remove some of the current Rotary traditions. Get them interested and give them relevance in an AxR role.
3. THE OPPORTUNITIES. Attracting interest in what i summarised last week’s Advocate as MODERN ROTARY.
These ideas were covered under Member and Club setting, our Market Place, and our Opportunities. ( includes the CoC intro above)
Nothing really different, rather, how we go about it.
CHAMPIONS NEEDED!!
Interestingly, Elizabeth Quay Rotary, often mentioned for its younger interests and Rotary commitment, has identified Projects and Membership as its 2 core objectives, with EVERY member, a M/ship officer!!
Totally different concept, but its certainly working for them!
Lots of work to be done in our Rotary world to ensure that WE don’t, in a combined sense, go the way of the dinosaur!
Hopefully we can work with our neighbouring Clubs and help achieve better outcomes for our community and its volunteering!
My thoughts…
Kenn