The year 2020 has brought monumental changes that have already included a global pandemic and a renewed call for social justice. We are reminded that we live in a constantly changing world, and Rotary is a reflection of that world. We must be ready to listen and adapt, always drawing upon our core values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. If we live these values and apply The Four-Way Test to all aspects of our lives, we will be prepared to lead at all times..
District Governor Lisle Chase Monthly Message
My Rotary Family, once again I am excited to bring you greetings from my wife, Maggie and myself as this month we focus on Membership and New Club Development. Building on the momentum that we achieved in July, and with an eye firmly fixed on our members, we are excited by the opportunities for growth that are seemingly boundless. We have seen that together we can create sustainable change as we harness the energy of the entire District to focus on common causes.
District 7030 Membership Committee Chair - Joseph Nouh-Chaia
August is Membership and New Club Development month! Clubs were asked to submit their membership plans to the District by 31st July 2020. Most Clubs submitted their plans which are currently under review by the District Membership Committee chaired by Joseph Nouh-Chaia. Guidance and feedback have already been provided to some of the Clubs on their submissions.
The respective Membership Growth Index (MGI) for each Rotary club in District 7030 has been circulated to clubs and the Membership Committee is now actively engaged in meeting with the Assistant Governors to ensure that the MGI for their clubs is discussed and that the necessary changes with respect to membership retention and growth are implemented.
The District Membership Committee gives the assurance that it stands ready to support clubs in achieving their membership goals for the Rotary year and to give ongoing support for the retention and growth of membership in District 7030.
District 7030 Innovative Club Advocate - Debbie Roopchand
In order to address membership growth and retention, the new position of Innovative Club Advocate (ICA) has been newly created in the 2020-2021 Rotary year. Implemented at both the Zone and District levels, ICAs are to work in conjunction with the other district and club membership positions already in place towards a universal mandate which includes to identifying where gaps in clubs and membership exist; diversifying membership; using innovative techniques to grow Rotary clubs and membership.
Under the District 7030 Membership Committee, Debbie Roopchand has been appointed the District ICA whose charge focuses on finding suitable geographic areas and/or appropriate markets within District 7030 to set up a Rotary club of 20+ members, or a Rotary Satellite club of 8+ members. While the District ICA's task is similar to District Extension Chair, specific tasks for the role during the 2020-2021 Rotary year in District 7030 include:
Promoting alternative times or meeting settings for clubs
Promoting new meeting formats or forums to fit different lifestyles
Promoting new clubs based on affinity groups that focus on similar interests
Promoting personal development clubs, like Toastmasters
The District ICA reports to the District Membership Chair and the District Governor and is responsible for starting a certain number of clubs each year. This Rotary year, the District ICA's goal is to start a minimum of three new clubs in District 7030. Clubs under consideration are E-Clubs (English & French speaking) and/or Satellite Clubs which may be caused-based (i.e. clubs with a peace-building or environmental focus) or be comprised of a common membership base such as ex-rotaractors or retired persons.
Clubs are encouraged to contact the District ICA if any interest in forming a new club exists or if any wish to know more about new club models.
District Monthly Special Events
12th August: Rotary Membership Feature Address
The District Monthly Special Event series continues on 12th August with an address on Rotary Membership hosted by Past District 7030 Governor David Edwards - Chair of the Rotary International Membership Committee for 2020-2021, and featuring Rotary International Membership Development Director Brian King. Membership status in Rotary, as well as, strategies and initiatives regarding membership growth and retention will be discussed and participants will have an opportunity to raise questions and comments during the live Q&A session. All Rotarians and Rotaractors are invited to register now for this most relevant and appropriate online event.
26th August: Present Like A Pro Masterclass
The District Communications & Public Image Teams are proud to welcome and host RPIC Michael Angelo Caruso who shall be conducting a very special and timely masterclass session: Presenting Like A Pro (In-Person and Online). Recognizing that our ability to communicate, especially to groups of people, is central to business and personal success, International speaker and Rotarian, Michael Angelo Caruso, known as "the speaker's speaker", will deliver a special session with high-end tips on how to present in-person and via virtual platforms such as Zoom. Rotarians, Rotaractors and clubs are encouraged to use this opportunity to their advantage, as well as, to invite workplace counterparts, business associates, professional colleagues, corporate friends of a club and essentially anyone who may benefit from this masterclass to register now and attend.
Last month, the Rotary Action Group for Peace recognized one of District 7030's own - the Rotary Club of Penal - as a Peacebuilder Club. For its hard work, focus on peacebuilding and contribution to world peace, all of District 7030 congratulates and honors the Rotary Club of Penal for this most prestigious achievement. Our District Peacebuilding Committee remains at the ready to help other clubs with similar goals as we work collectively towards having 7030 declared as an official Peacebuilder District. For further ideas on peacebuilding, as well as, information on the upcoming event on 22nd August with NewGen Peacebuilders' own Patricia Shafer, please read more.
District Initiatives
As a recent added Rotary International Area of Focus, Supporting The Environment facilitates new means for clubs around the world to develop and execute meaningful projects that promote environmental sustainability. District 7030 capitalized on this new area by establishing the first ever District 7030 Environmental Sustainability Committee chaired by Rotarian Matt Render from the Rotary Club of Gros Islet. In its first address to clubs, the District Environmental Sustainability Committee outlines its expectations and goals for the Rotary year and invites Rotarians and Rotaractors to be People of Action for the environment and join the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) as a first step towards supporting the environment.
People of Action...Clubs In Service
District P.E.T.S & Conference
On 4th July 2020, Conference Chair Konrad Wagner officially announced District 7030 P.E.T.S & Conference 2021, Saint Lucia carded to take place between 21st and 24th April. The event theme of Service • Sustainability • Peace was introduced and Rotarians were invited to register online via the conference website. For those who missed it or for those who want to see it again, recordings of the launch are now available.
Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history. Jones will officially become president-nominee on 1 October if no other candidates challenge her.
The world is facing a global crisis and in these difficult circumstances, The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees is making tough decisions to enable our organization to thrive. After much discussion and in-keeping with principles of sound financial management, TRF Trustees have taken 2 key decisions:
Effective immediately, there is no minimum World Fund match for global grants
Global grants are now defined as having a minimum budget of US$30,000 and a maximum World Fund award of US$400,000. Applicants can use a combination of District Designated Funds (DDF), cash, and/or directed gifts and endowment earnings to fund a global grant. The Foundation will provide a 100% World Fund match for all DDF contributions
Did You Know...
The RI board has agreed to pair Trustees with RI Directors by geographic areas.
Zone 33 & 34 will be represented by:
Trustee - PRIP Barry Rassin
Directors - Stephanie Urchick & Peter Kyle
The RI Board has formed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee, to include Rotaract, that will focus on an action plan to give effect to Rotary's statement on DEI
The RI Board agreed to change the name of "The Rotarian" magazine to "Rotary"
Submissions
Interested in having your Club's activities or member's stories featured in one of the District publications (Newsletter, Website, Social Media)?
Please send articles, videos, photos and/or links to such via email to:
