District 7930 held a free workshop on January 30 with over 60 Rotarians in attendance to discuss Membership, Technology/Communications, and Public Image.

 

The Membership track explained the alternate memberships available for adoption by clubs, followed by an example of one club's use of in-meeting service projects for both community outreach and member retention and recruitment. The Technology/Communications track presented an easy to understand primer on ClubRunner and new theme web sites. The Public Image track discussed social media and diverse PI campaigns that have proven successful to get out the word and facts about Rotary.

 

"Service is the rent we pay for a room on earth” was cited in print in 1917 taken from an inscription over the doorway of a hospital in India and is of unknown authorship.

 

On Saturday May 20th please join fellow Rotarians in service as part of the District Conference from 8 to 11:30 am followed by lunch at the House of the Seven Gables.

 

Service opportunities as follows (all supplies provided):

 

Family Promise Day Center in Beverly: two bathrooms need painting, 2-3 people per bathroom for the project; 10 rotarians needed to put down laminate. Family Promise North Shore is an interfaith non profit network that provides temporary shelter, meals, hospitality and case management for families experiencing homelessness on the North Shore of Massachusetts.

 

Lynn Shelter Association: landscaping/ cleanup work st the Bridge house. Number of volunteers to be determined. The Lynn Shelter Association provides shelter, supportive case management services and housing solutions to people experiencing homelessness in Greater Lynn.

 

Citizens Inn Between playground project in Peabody. Depending on the stage of the project Rotarians will either be clearing land or spreading the playground mulch. Number of volunteers to be determined. Citizens Inn, Inc. works toward ending homelessness, providing temporary shelter for families experiencing homelessness and permanent affordable housing to low income families.

 

Once you sign up for the district conference you will be contacted to sign up for the service projects.  Keep posted for other service opportunities during the District Conference!!!!

 

AND SAVE THE DATE MAY 19-20TH

 

The following article can be found on the RI website (www.Rotary.org/MyRotary), and is reprinted here for greater distribution. Please contact District Membership Chair Bob Gravino with any comments or thoughts. Clubs with examples of bylaw amendments can send them to Bob, who will provide copies to those desiring to try one or more of the new flexible options.

 

 

Research and our members' experiences have shown that when clubs have more freedom to decide how and when they hold their meetings, who they'll invite to become members, and what member engagement means, their ability to attract new members and keep current members motivated increases.

 

The 2016 Council on Legislation voted to give Rotary clubs more flexibility than they've ever had. The changes in policy affect when, where, and how clubs meet and the types of membership they offer.