Our brainstorming session opened up to members the opportunity to embrace the wider activities our Club performs. Each Chair has provided a summary paragraph on how the session informed them of their responsibility and how they gained a considerable history of the directorate functions as a result of hearing from past chairs, and current desires for the achievements on the three taskforce areas. Please read their assessments below:
Youth Service- Anne Josefsberg:
The working party dealing with Youth Services proved to be very useful for me as a Director of Youth Services. Several points were raised which I have acted upon as a result of the discussion.
1. The members of the Rotary Club of Canterbury want to know exactly what is happening in Youth Service and in programs being undertaken, what is required for each program, what help needs to be provided and who needs to be asked for help
2. What age group is being helped with the program - who is being targeted, and how are they being assisted
3. A committee needs to be established to deal with Youth Services - I am currently working on this. Thanks everybody who spoke on the evening for this.
4. The possibility of establishing a Rotaract Club was raised
Club Services and Communication - John Braine :
The members of the group were very forthcoming and positive in their comments and suggestions regarding the Club Services and communication functions. All endorsed a need to consider the Club’s approach to recruiting new members and retaining recent younger members who have joined the Club. One suggestion was to conduct an online survey of all the Club’s contact to see how best to get them involved with the Club. It was suggested that a new membership option should be considered to make it easier and less expensive for younger members who are time poor.
In regard to communications, expanded use should be made of the Club’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and Meet-up apps.
Given the trend for more members to not have meal at our Monday meetings, perhaps the structure of the meetings and sharing of the meeting’s overhead cost should be considered.
There was strong support to re-energise the committee structure with all members to be involved with one or more committees.
There was also a commitment to continue the use of the menu card at our meeting as this demonstrates the professionalism of the Club and is a great communication tool.
Finally the work of the social committee was acknowledged and it was recognised that this committee needs extra hands to continue it great work.
Community - Carmela Dimasi:
1. The reason why many of the 23 grants provided were initiated was discussed , and why some must be continued, and decided to drop a few and seek other worthwhile recipients of our precious funds
2. A small committee be formed and meet for executive decision making (aka Fireside chats is Gerry Cross's terminology) which will allow the directorate to function more effectively
3. The Club has much in dollars and delivery of service to offer our community, choosing the best causes is the part where we need to act but take care in allocation and recipients.
President Steve brought the discussion together once the group discussions finished and it appeared everyone was keen for these evenings to occur two or three times a year - that decision will be made by the Board. A collegiate activity, reminding us of our personal and Club Rotary service conscience.
