Rotary Public Image Action

It seems to me that many of our meeting structures in Rotary are due for a review. Last year Adrienne and I attended a number of conferences in Australia and New Zealand and one in the Philippines. The Philippines was the exception around attendance. It was huge and a fun place to be. The local ones certainly varied and in general had an excellent program and entertainment, but I believe there is a downward trend in attendance in most regions. Why? Is it cost? Is it apathy? Do our programs meet the needs of our members? At the conference in the Philippines there was an emphasis on breakout training sessions, maybe replacing District Assembly or a PETS which certainly helped with numbers. They had a magnificent crèche and play/study area for kids from age 1 to 16 and that was very well equipped and used. Rotaractors helped in this area. The entertainment and food were also first class and unbelievable for the registration fee. The plenary sessions were also first class with high profile speakers generally donating their time.  I have seen attempts here to cut costs that have not really attracted increased numbers and we have also seen attempts to go a bit up market with similar results. I believe it is time to review the conference structure. Some Districts always go out of district and regularly get very large support....what about doing that and combining with another district? Maybe form a link between a rural and city district? To continue to do the same year after year and expect a different result will only lead to disappointment.

So I have decided to review attendance at the Zone Institute in Brisbane in November this year. The purpose of an Institute is to inform current, past and future RI officers about policies and programs of RI and TRF and to seek feedback and provide a forum for idea sharing, learning and inspiration. The Manual of Procedure states that “attendance is limited to past, current and incoming officers though others may be invited by the Convenor”. This year I have decided to extend that invitation, through the current district leadership team, and ask every District in New Zealand and Australia to invite up to six potential future leaders to come for a special future leaders training and observe the Institute. I hope the invitation is taken up and our future leaders can become better informed of the workings of our organisation.  During his year Past President Ray Klinginsmith encouraged change. This is another example of how we can change. I know of a number of clubs that are making changes as a result of better understanding they are empowered to do so. There are changes happening around our training with Multi District PETS becoming a reality in many areas. I know that at least one conference, covering two districts, is currently being planned.   President Kalyan has stated that he has noticed so often the “winds of change” in Rotary start Down Under. Let’s keep them blowing!

Stuart Heal