This message is from DG Tonie and has been sent to all Rotarians in District 9780.

Dear Name deleted,

You will have received a Rotary South Pacific and Philippines Office (RISPPO)  email earlier today from RI Director Jennifer Scott regarding the redistricting of Zone 8 and the requirement for District 9780 Clubs to vote on the proposed District plan.

You may remember that PDG Christine Dufty and I held an online all-members information and Q&A session on 29 April, to share what we knew about the proposed redistricting at that time and to answer your questions. For those who would like to refresh their memories, you can view the recording of that session here.

Club voting is the next step in the process and, as with any significant change, I know Jennifer's email will prompt additional questions for many of you.

It may be helpful at the outset to understand that redistricting itself is not unusual in Rotary. Rotary routinely reviews Districts to ensure they remain viable and with sufficient depth to provide effective support to Clubs. During the Rotary South Pacific Regionalisation Pilot, the normal district review and redistricting process was paused. With the Pilot now extended through to June 2028, that process has resumed.

Over the next few days, I will be working with our District Leadership Team to finalise information specifically for you and your Club. This will include important local context, including what the proposed changes mean for our Victorian and South Australian Clubs, and the process and timeframe for the Club vote.

We want to make sure that you have the opportunity to understand the proposal, discuss it with your fellow Club members and have your questions answered before your Club is asked to record its vote.

You will receive that information on Monday 10 August.

We will also hold two online Member Information and Q&A Sessions via Microsoft Teams on:

Monday 17 August

Tuesday 18 August

The same information will be presented at both sessions, so you can choose whichever evening suits you best. Details and joining links will be included in Monday's communication.  Please put one of these dates into your diary. 

In the meantime, there is no action you or your Club need to take. I encourage you to take the time to consider the information as it becomes available and, importantly, to bring us your questions.

Thank you for your patience while we make sure you have the information and opportunities you need to make an informed decision.

Warm regards,

Tonie Thiel

District Governor 2026–27

Rotary District 9780