Christmas Comments By AG Denis Boyd
Denis Boyd , Assistant Governor Area D
Christmas and Rotary have a lot in common. Christmas is the season of goodwill and generosity, the season when love is born and when people are kinder and warmer for a time. Rotary is about service above self and truth and fairness, building goodwill and friendships and activities which are beneficial to all concerned.
I have heard people say that it would be nice if it could be Christmas all year round.
During a membership conference I heard the statistic that only 18% of Rotarians propose new members. That means that 82% do not. (Those who have proposed members please stand. New members from the last year do the same. )
I want to address a few thoughts to the newer members of our clubs. Not everyone will want to become president of his or her club or take on Chairs or even become assistant governor. And this is fine. It is up to you to become the member you wish to be.
Recent research on alcohol addiction attempted to determine which method of intervention was the most successful: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, general therapy groups or AA. The research found that those attending AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) were the most likely to return to health. Further study determined that not everyone who attended AA was able to overcome their addiction. Those attending AA who were engaged in the program did well, were successful. Those who attended meetings and invested some of themselves in the process through greeting others or helping out in some way fared well.
Research into therapy has determined that the key component in the helping process which a predictor of success is the relationship between therapist and client. When there is engagement there is a much greater likelihood of success.
Rotary is where you and I find "people who care". There is a lot of talk within membership committees about finding new members. I think the secret of acquiring new members is "retention" i.e. keep the members we have. If as new Rotarians you become engaged in Rotary and help to make our meetings warm and vibrant, you will be contributing to Rotary in a strong fashion. Being engaged means making it to the meetings, not to be entertained but as one interested in making the others feel welcome, particularly guests or visiting Rotarians.
If we all work towards making our meetings vibrant and friendly, we will attract new members and each week we will experience a little bit of Christmas, all year round.
I wish you a joyous Christmas and a very Rotary New Year!!