New Club Structure
Posted by Bill Molesworth
There wasn't a speaker today, instead a business matter was brought forward.
The proposed new structure was discussed at the Fireside meeting and the Club had a draft of the hierarchy to consider.
President Mike suggested this gave the club a broader aspect, with more categories, that could involve everybody and promote attendance.
Joyce thought it was a big and positive change. She said the current list had some vacancies that needed to be filled and some names that would be dropping off in the new year that needed to be replaced.
Bruce suggested that it was another layer of governance and Fred asked whether the new structure was set now or not.
Joyce replied that the Board had agreed with an International recommendation and were bringing it forward to the membership. Fred had concerns. He felt the structure had a bias to looking inward, that it was increasinglly about us rather than the community and the outside that we are supposed to be working for. Three of the five new functions looked inward. Where is vocation, for instance.
Second, he wondered if this structure allowed for future growth because he thought it froze the club in its current form, giving it no scope to grow and change. He thought it reflected what we are, rather than what we can be.
Third Fred thought the lines of reporting became complicated.
Joyce replied to the last, saying that there would be a VP on the Board to whom the chairs reported and from whom the Board would hear.
The proposed new structure was discussed at the Fireside meeting and the Club had a draft of the hierarchy to consider.
President Mike suggested this gave the club a broader aspect, with more categories, that could involve everybody and promote attendance.
Joyce thought it was a big and positive change. She said the current list had some vacancies that needed to be filled and some names that would be dropping off in the new year that needed to be replaced.
Bruce suggested that it was another layer of governance and Fred asked whether the new structure was set now or not.
Joyce replied that the Board had agreed with an International recommendation and were bringing it forward to the membership. Fred had concerns. He felt the structure had a bias to looking inward, that it was increasinglly about us rather than the community and the outside that we are supposed to be working for. Three of the five new functions looked inward. Where is vocation, for instance.
Second, he wondered if this structure allowed for future growth because he thought it froze the club in its current form, giving it no scope to grow and change. He thought it reflected what we are, rather than what we can be.
Third Fred thought the lines of reporting became complicated.
Joyce replied to the last, saying that there would be a VP on the Board to whom the chairs reported and from whom the Board would hear.
Fred thought that was fine but felt the separate VPs had very different work loads, with the Service VP being responsible for 3 of the 4 Avenues of Service.
Joyce said the chairs would do the work and report up; that it was designed to run like a business, which the Club is, doing $140,000.00 per year. She felt it gave the opportunity to grow leaders.
Fred still thought it was a lot to ask of one person and if that person wasn't up to it, the whole club would suffer. President Mike said the present structure presented the same risk and that a VP should act as a co-ordinator, not as the worker. He added that Rotarions were always looking inward to find ways to better serve the community.
Doug felt that we had to look within to strengthen ourselves from within, the better to serve others. We have to raise the profile of the membership and increase our PR to introduce and integrate new members. There has been a large turnover in our membership but we can take that, work with it to increase our profile and make it a strength.
He agreed that there were commitments that might suffer under a weak chair, but wondered if we can't find a strong chair, should we be even doing it. The Club should be fluid enough to change priorities.
Rob asked if this was driven by International. He agreed with Fred that this structure was in opposition to our motto - it put the club before service instead of service above self. He thought the things we do outside were more important than the what happens inside.
Jamie Tripp said he had seen an effect of declining membership in his ten years as a member - the work falls on fewer people and those people will tend to burn out soon. We need to strengthen the club.
Fred argued that people belong because they're attracted by our vision, they want to be part of something. Lee Anne said she was seeing the same thing at the Y's Mens and that these valuable clubs who had contributed so much needed to show the community what they can do and what fun they've had doing it so as to attract new members.
President Mike suggested a new line up of VP's that highlighted the traditional but still made room for the administrative and this met with the approval of those attending. There will be a formal presentation soon.
Joyce said the chairs would do the work and report up; that it was designed to run like a business, which the Club is, doing $140,000.00 per year. She felt it gave the opportunity to grow leaders.
Fred still thought it was a lot to ask of one person and if that person wasn't up to it, the whole club would suffer. President Mike said the present structure presented the same risk and that a VP should act as a co-ordinator, not as the worker. He added that Rotarions were always looking inward to find ways to better serve the community.
Doug felt that we had to look within to strengthen ourselves from within, the better to serve others. We have to raise the profile of the membership and increase our PR to introduce and integrate new members. There has been a large turnover in our membership but we can take that, work with it to increase our profile and make it a strength.
He agreed that there were commitments that might suffer under a weak chair, but wondered if we can't find a strong chair, should we be even doing it. The Club should be fluid enough to change priorities.
Rob asked if this was driven by International. He agreed with Fred that this structure was in opposition to our motto - it put the club before service instead of service above self. He thought the things we do outside were more important than the what happens inside.
Jamie Tripp said he had seen an effect of declining membership in his ten years as a member - the work falls on fewer people and those people will tend to burn out soon. We need to strengthen the club.
Fred argued that people belong because they're attracted by our vision, they want to be part of something. Lee Anne said she was seeing the same thing at the Y's Mens and that these valuable clubs who had contributed so much needed to show the community what they can do and what fun they've had doing it so as to attract new members.
President Mike suggested a new line up of VP's that highlighted the traditional but still made room for the administrative and this met with the approval of those attending. There will be a formal presentation soon.