This month is Membership and New Club Development month. Rotary International President Mark Maloney has announced his number one goal this year is to Grow Rotary by growing our membership and creating new clubs. Last year we did add one new club, the Rotary Club of Austin Central but we also lost one club and lost over 70 members.
Our net loss of members is an ongoing trend we have encountered over the last ten years or more. We need to put an end to this trend. During any Rotary year we usually add many new members but we always lose more than we gain. It is my contention we need to change our approach. Look at prospective members and see if they have the characteristics to be Rotarians. We need to recruit Rotarians not members.
“We really feel strongly about helping out families who are in need of a safe place,” said Susan Kurth of the Austin Cosmopolitan Rotary Club. That message was delivered in 48 individual backpacks.
“One of the most powerful symbols of welcome and support and kindness that we give our families is a travel backpack,” says Jan Olsen of the Interfaith Welcome Coalition.
Start the new Rotary year off with a bang with these FREE training seminars events : Branding & Public Image, Membership and Foundation happening in the month of August. Open to all Rotarians!
August 17 - Branding & Public Image at McKinney Roughs. NEW MATERIAL TO SHARE - so even if you've been before... come on back and learn some more! Click to reserve your seat
August 24 - Membership at Georgetown Health Foundation Rooms: Learn to BEST PRACTICES and STRATEGIES for ENGAGING & RETAINING MEMBERS. Click to reserve your seat
Rotary Night at the Ball Park hosted by the Round Rock Rotary Club with the Round Rock Express VS New Orlleans Baby Cakes on Friday August 23, 2019 at Dell Diamond in Roundrock. Open to all Rotarians! Gates open at 6PM, game starts at 7:05PM. Includes a post game firework show.
Last year, District 5870 conducted a special match for contributions made by Rotarians who are already a Paul Harris Fellow. The response to this offer was simply overwhelming! We raised in excess of $74,000 and the contributions resulted in the award of 173 Paul Harris Fellows. So, we’re going to do it again.
For a limited time starting on August 1, 2019, the District 5870 will do the following:
Using a pool of Foundation Recognition Points, we will match contributions of new cash made to the Annual Fund-SHARE during Rotary Year 2019-20 on a 1-to-1 basis in amounts of $250 to $500 for any active Rotarian in District 5870 who is not yet a Paul Harris Fellow +8.
Great things are happening at Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children and we want YOU to be a part of it! Variety of Texas, along with Cinemark, KaBoom and Keurig Dr. Pepper, is building a playground for over 6,500 children that enjoy Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom each year and we want you to help us! Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 8:00AM to 3:00PM at Variety's Peaceble Kingdom Retreat for Children, 19051 FM 2484, KIlleen Texas 76542. For more info
During these fun summer months, the Rotary Clubs of Austin & Killeen had an opportunity to host a military family for the weekend at the Omni Austin Hotel through Operation Vacation-Ft. Hood. The family, Sgt. Tarelle Jackson, wife Melisa, sons Cameron (4) and Cauden (2), enjoyed a luxury suite for two nights, all their meals, pool fun and free time to explore Austin. It is rare that these families have much quality time with their families while serving their country. They were also hosted by the staff of the County Line on the Lake for a fantastic Saturday night dinner with all the trimmings.
Many of us joined Rotary in order to network. That’s the way my sponsor sold Rotary to me, “You’ll get to meet lots of businessmen who can help you out.”
It was only several years later after I was introduced to our Foundation, and learned what Rotary does in the world, did I become a Rotarian, committed to providing service to others, promoting integrity, and advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace.
If you’re going to a Rotary meeting once a week simply for the local fellowship, you’re missing out on the majesty of Rotary.
You've heard the training and now it is time to put it into action. Take the PR Rockstar Challenge! Must complete Levels 1-3 by November 1, 2019 and Levels 4 & 5 by March 1, 2020. Winners will be acknowledge and awarded at District Conference.
Level 1 – Submit a Club Photo to the District PR Team for Facebook & Instagram page
Photo should include your Club Branding... banner/flag/shirts
Consider an ACTION PHOTO
Level 2 - Submit an event to the District Calendar with a Rotary Master branded flyer
Event for upcoming fundraiser/service project/social
Rotary District 9110 (Nigeria) is searching for a local partner club(s). Local or global grants or direct club interaction might be options. The three areas that have the greatest need are;
Incubators for local hospital
Wheelchairs
Computers for High School
Please contact PDG Jerry Chapman for additional information jwchap@yahoo.com.
During the month of June, a contest was held to challenge the Rotarian advisors of District 5870’s Interact Clubs to register their Clubs with Rotary International in time for the start of the new Rotary year. Six Rotarians representing ten Interact Clubs entered the contest. All of the clubs were entered in a drawing for $50 to be awarded to an Interact Club that met the qualifications.
And the winner is… Benold Middle School Interact Club, Mr. Julian A. Grant, Advisor!
If you missed the contest deadline, you can still easily register your Interact Club(s) by going to https://my.rotary.org/en/report-your-interact-club-advisor Complete the information, submit and your annual reporting requirement for Rotary International is finished.
What are you waiting for? Why not get ‘er done today?