Program:
Gerry Glazier introduced Bala Naidoo, our speaker for the meeting. Bala is tremendously committed to Rotary and continues to demonstrate it to all of us. He has joined us today to provide information about the importance of Rotary Central.
Bala is leading our strategic planning process; we are about mid-way through the planning. The question is how we can link the strategic plan to setting the club’s annual goals. As the Rotary Club of Vancouver is one of the largest clubs in our District, it is very difficult to engage everyone in planning. Sometimes, we leave it to the leadership to manage and make those decisions. We rely on them to give an insight into how it happens, and for creating a vision for the club. At District level, strategic planning was done by gathering feedback from each club in the district, then rolling it up to the District level.
Traditionally, it is left up to the President to set the goals for the year. We would like to change that process and include Committee Chairs, Board members, and others to add their voices.Why do you come to Rotary meetings, why are you involved with Rotary, what are you passionate about in terms of work Rotary does, and also specifically with regards to our club?
How do you participate without actually sitting in on the strategic planning sessions? Bala would like all of us to provide feedback to Wayne Fraser, President Elect, and Gerry Glazier, President, with regards to what you envision the club to be moving forward.
At District level, strategic planning was done by gathering feedback from each club in the district, then rolling it up to the District level. This seems to have been missing somewhat in the past. Would like to provide some reasons for you to be more involved in this process.
Why do we track our goals? It is the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) that are tracked:
- Number of members – our club is doing excellent in this regard.
- Member engagement – want to make sure every member feels that they belong and are getting fulfilled.
- Volunteer hours
- Number of service projects – local and international; how many projects do we do, how much money is raised or provided to these projects
- Foundation and PolioPlus giving – how much do we raise for these foundations?
- How much money is raised for other charities?
- Public relations – media stories, social media presence, fellowship
- Leadership development – what training courses are attended, providing leaders for District roles, mentors for Rotaract and Interact clubs
- Creation of new clubs – Interact, Rotaract
- Youth exchange students
- New member sponsorships
- Paul Harris Fellows
- Creation of new clubs, e.g., satellite clubs, divisions of club
How do we grow Rotary moving forward? Traditional growth model no longer works. How can RCoV go to the community and look for opportunities for membership growth. What about partnering with other cause based clubs? Coming soon an innovative club advocate program, more info will be available soon.
The benefits of tracking our goals are what gets measured gets done.
- They are measurable. We can see where we are and where we need to go.
- It gives District leaders a concise view of each club and area to support our clubs and grow Rotary.
- We can see which clubs need District or Zone resources.
- Qualify for a Rotary Citation.
- Fosters a sense of collaboration in each club, area, and within the District. We can no longer continue to work in silos. We must share information.
- Great talking points for attracting new members, sponsors.
Wayne, President Elect, and Kendall, Vice President, will be asking committee chairs for regular reporting. It will allow the club leadership to really see where you want to take the club. It is all about our members, the ground level, and what you want, not what the Board wants. This fosters a sense of collaboration within the club, and with other clubs.
Working collaboratively with other clubs benefits all. There are seven clubs in the Vancouver area; working together on projects would strengthen all.
Most of all, the goals track Rotary’s impact both locally and globally. Its essential to tell our story about the impact we have. We want to develop a story specific to Vancouver. An example of one of our unique stories is the Hearing Foundation, its partnership with St. Paul’s and the benefits for the whole province.
The data summarized in Rotary Central can also be used to attract new members, sponsors, etc.
Here’s an example from the District showing the economic value/impact:
- Volunteer hours: 30,000-50,000 x $25/hr = $750,000-1.25 million (under reported)
- Project fundraising: $21-31,000 per club x 49 clubs = $1 – 1.5 million
- Foundation donations to annual program fund = $265,000
- District grants: $65,000 at 2:1 = project minimum of $130,000+
- Global grants: $200,000 at 1:1 = project minimum of $400,000+
- Polio Plus: $100,000 plus Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation contribution $200,000 = $300,000
- Economic impact annually: $3.5 million - $5.0 million
Figures like this do tell a story but eventually we will get more sophisticated in how we tell the story of Rotary’s impact.
People of Action Campaign is used to showcase our impact. This is how we show others what we do.
- Describes the impact of our projects and fundraisers, locally and globally
- Its how others think about Rotary, not us (we know what we do)
- We create positive, lasting language.
- We do thing, we get things done.
- We have to create that perception of what people have of us. Need to direct the narrative. We are no longer an old boys club – though that is a lingering perception out there.
- Some action verbs we can use: We inspire, engage, lead, transform, save lives, have fun, End Polio, connect.
Tracking volunteer hours is always a stab in the dark. An estimate still gives good information. What is counted is everything you do for Rotary except for club member meetings and fellowship gatherings. That means committee prep, project work, committee meeting attendance all count.
KPIs and RCC goals can showcase our work on social media. “Our Year in Numbers: $c raised for charity, c hours volunteered, c members. Take snippets from the data for highlighting particular areas. Focus on membership, foundation, PR/PI, and other areas.
What are our opportunities and challenges?
- Membership is declining overall. We need to think about how to diversify and attract new members.
- Rotary Foundation – educate our membership on the value of giving to the Rotary Foundation and increase donations. Organize Foundation events.
- Public Relations/Public Image – think of more ways to promote the Rotary brand and talk about the impact we have in the community.
- Youth – find new ways to bring youth into the Rotary family, whether through Interact, Youth Exchange, RYLA, Rotaract.
- Youth exchange is on the decline in North America. Is a big part of European experience.
Tip & tricks to track KPIs/RCC:
- Work with your past president and committee chairs – youth, membership, foundation, PR/PI, service projects, etc. to set goals before the start of the new Rotary year.
- Check in with the committee chairs over the course of the year to update them on the KPI spreadsheet and RCC.
- Work with the club administrator to track them.
- The ADG is the most knowledgeable person to keep you on track. The ADGs meet with the area club Presidents monthly.
There are still one or two more strategic plan meetings – please send in your thoughts. Use any form you are comfortable with, email, text, phone Gerry or Wayne. It is a great opportunity to express your thoughts around how you see the future of Rotary.
Moving on to another fabulous Rotary tool, MyRotary. This is something for all of our members to use. MyRotary accounts provide access to fabulous learning tools. It is great for a new member to learn about Rotary. You can go to areas that are of specific interest to you.
John Bathurst provided the info showing how easy it is to start a MyRotary account. Our club is at about 50%. The 50% who don’t yet have an account really are wasting this opportunity to take advantage of all that Rotary offers for the dues that you pay.
See above for pictures showing how to set up your account. In words, go to my.rotary.org; click on Setup in the top right corner and then click on Create an Account. Be sure to use the same email as that you have in your ClubRunner profile.
Rest assured that it’s worth it. The amount of information is available to you through this account is truly impressive. It will enhance the value of your membership.
Why? Two things of note: there are amazing fellowship groups based on interests; there are Rotary Groups you can join specific to your personal cause or passion. Spouses can join groups too.
Some benefits of joining fellowships: John Hayto, share that you can connect up with international groups of Rotarians, e.g., ski group got together in Whistler. At conferences, can join up for activities, such as John Bathurst who is a member of the Rotary sailing group had an excursion on a tall ship during the Hamburg Rotary convention.
MyRotary provides access to other clubs information. Parisa Adrangi shared an experience of visiting other clubs when she was on a one week stop in North Carolina while travelling with her daughter on a university tour a couple of years ago. In every Rotary meeting Parisa attended she was welcomed and has, as a result, built lasting friendships with some Rotarians she met there.
Any questions about providing information for the club’s KPIs contact Bala. Any questions about a MyRotary account contact John Bathurst.
