How do you motivate Rotarians to undertake service projects? District 7430 shares monthly videos that encourage Rotarians to copy successful service projects. Those projects follow Rotary International’s monthly theme. During October, Community and Economic Development month, those videos illustrate related service at Club, District, and International levels. The District Learning Committee produces and directs these videos. Monthly, District Governor Bob Hobaugh introduces the theme and projects followed by Club videos on each project in a recording known as “Project Showcase.” See the October Project Showcase here: https://youtu.be/oe1LAYgwkHY. Bob also introduces a separate program entitled, “Showcase Tuesday,” virtual sessions that follow the monthly theme. The goal is to share the passion of Rotarians who serve and to replicate useful service projects.
In District 7430’s October Project Showcase, Rotarians describe their service projects that focus on poverty, job creation and the quality of place in our community. Featured is the Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary Club sharing its “Game of Rent” which teaches participants about the challenges faced by low-income people in finding affordable housing. Developed by architect Kelsey Oesmann, the “Game of Rent” allows role playing in the search for housing. By playing people of the modest circumstances, Rotarians develop empathy. That empathy can become compassion. Kelsey reminds us that compassion leads to action.
Also featured is the West Reading-Wyomissing Club whose members shared their work at the West Reading Fall Fest. There, Rotarians distributed 500 saplings donated by Bartlett Tree Experts. Once planted, they will become trees which help provide a quality of place, an economic driver to retain talented residents and attract good employers. West Reading-Wyomissing Rotarians use the Fall Fest as a platform to showcase service in our organization: Serve to Change Lives!
District Governor Bob also introduces Showcase Tuesday, a more in-depth look at a community and economic development project. On October 12th, District 7430 featured Matthew Kane of the Rotary Club of North Raleigh sharing “LaunchRALEIGH.” This program trains successful entrepreneurs who otherwise would have limited access to financial and business resources. Showcase Tuesday is virtual and interactive so Rotarians may ask questions that open opportunities to serve. Rotarians are drawn to ask whether their Clubs can replicate LaunchRALEIGH as an ongoing project within District 7430. Your Rotary Club can follow a template for this program called “Launch My City.” Learn more at https://launchmycity.org/.
Rotary works in partnership with other organizations having similar goals. Our seven Areas of Focus correspond to 13 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Rotarians say, “Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.” Former Secretary General Bon-Ki Moon said, “We must work closely together to make this year a year of global action, one that will be remembered as the dawn of a new era of sustainable development.” The Rotary Clubs in Project Showcase video and Showcase Tuesday partnered with businesses, universities, governmental agencies, and jobs programs, to develop great economic and community development projects. These programs facilitate affordable housing, quality of place and entrepreneurial excellence! Let your economic and community development project be one to remember!