Posted on Dec 11, 2019
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Our club's own Richard Fox, Rotary District 7850 Governor,
gave a spirited and inspirational presentation during his official visit.
 
 

December 11, 2019

Charlotte Shelburne Hinesburg Rotary

Trinity Episcopal Church

Keith led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Sue McClellan was our guest today.

Today’s speaker topic: Sharing Our Why and Growing Rotary through Synergy

Richard Fox, our District Governor, joined us to share the District’s priorities for the coming year. Richard’s job as District Governor is to support and endorse Rotarians across our region. Part of the role is visit all of the district’s 41 clubs in Vermont, New Hampshire and Quebec. During his time as governor, he is not a member of CSH Rotary- instead, he is a Rotary International Officer. His visits offer a look at the culture and community of each club, and he recommends all Rotarians take time to visit other clubs.

When Richard joined Rotary at the behest of his father-in-law, he learned the What, How and Where of Rotary- What Rotary does, How Rotary does it, and Where Rotary goes. What was missing was the Why, and for Richard, this is a critical piece of attracting and keeping Rotarians. Rotary needs to offer a Why in order to give people value for their membership.

Rotary is more important now than ever before. As Governments step away from crises around the globe, Rotary is a gap fill for the needs of humanity.

Richard handed out a light blue pin signifying how Rotary connects the world. Rotary’s true strength is connecting actors to incredible opportunities and connecting players with resources. The distinction Rotary has amidst other non-profits is the cost effective and efficient way in which it is able to these good works. Most non-profits spend only 10 cents on each contribution dollar toward good work- Rotary puts almost all its contributions into its efforts. 

Richard then provided all members with a Synergy pin. In September of 2010, Richard went from being a single guy with few responsibilities to a husband, father and business owner, in the same week. At that time, he was a volunteer at Shelburne Rescue, Board member of Miss Vermont, cub master of Shelburne Boy Scout club with 27 scouts and 54 parents, a pro bono attorney for the Vermont Bar Association with the Vermont National Guard, and on the board the Champlain Housing Trust. Understandably, his new father in law, Dennis Webster, suggested he change course and join Rotary. 

Up until that point, Richard had a negative connotation with Rotary. Sinclair Lewis famously hated Rotary, saying it was made up of “old men in smoke filled rooms eating roast beef.” Richard put aside his presumptions and joined in May of 2011. 

This story is about Synergy. Synergy means the outcome is greater than the parts. Six out of ten Rotarians leave within the first two years. We give them the What, How, Where but no Why. 1.2 million people belong to Rotary and this number has stayed static for 18 years. Rotary overall is not growing, but in some areas, such as India and the Pacific Rim, people are fighting to join. In these areas, being a member of Rotarian is a status symbol, and there aren’t enough clubs for the numbers who want to join. In North America, however, Rotary membership is on a downward slope, where the average member age is 62 to 64 years. 

This year, at the meeting of club presidents, four agreements were made.

  1. What would the community look like without Rotary? Don’t underestimate the value of your club to the community. 
  2. Don’t operate as though the club belongs to its members. As we look toward the future, cruise control is not an option. Communities own their clubs- members are merely custodians.
  3. Everything in Rotary starts at the bottom. Change and initiative starts at the club level.
  4. Grow. Our district is net positive for growth. Let’s keep it that way.

One of Rotary’s great successes is the fight against polio. Rotary is the leader in polio eradication, working with the UN, WHO and the Gates Foundation. More than 18 million people are alive because of YOU. 

Without Rotary, the UN probably would not exist. Rotarians helped draft the UN Declaration and has a seat at the UN table. Rotary is an integral part of the world policy discussions.

Here in our backyard, Rotary provides fun and service. The Shelburne Halloween Parade, scholarships, holiday giving, turkeys for the area food shelves, and service projects. A lot of people are looking for help in our communities and we are able to provide that. And, Rotary is fun. It offers social involvement and personal connections for those who choose to engage with each other. Remember, Service Above Self matters- Rotarians do good without the expectation of gratitude. 

For all Rotarians:

  1. Know your Why
  2. Be the Why- Rotary is not meetings. It’s the service. If you want to help grow our club, invite people to service, not to breakfast.
  3. If you have a Why, the How will follow. Family is the best reason to join Rotary. 

The District Conference is May 1-3, 2020 at Jay Peak Resort. Volunteers are needed- visit the District website at https://rotary7850.org/.

We’re seeing a generational shift in values in our country. Boomers valued organizations, but later generations aren’t seeing as much value in established organizations. They value individual decision making, wanting to maintain autonomy, but you prioritize autonomy you lose synergy. Younger generations value good work, so it’s important for Rotary to be the bridge. We are better together. Remember the reason for Rotary- “Development of Acquaintance for the Purpose of Service.”

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Linda Gilbert noted the Lund Service Project is January 8. Please bring your items to be donated to the Lund Center before or on that date. 

Ric Flood reported that 17 members have given a list of names for the fund drive. Once his team has your list, they can turn around letters that same day. 

We had LOTS of happy fines and appreciation for Richard, who brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the District meetings. 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05. See you on January 8 and have a wonderful holiday season!

Respectfully submitted,

Carrie Fenn

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