If it hadn't been "the way things always were done", one might consider President Andy's proposal to shift emphasis from big board to a committee structure quite revolutionary. "We'll have board meetings just once every three months" he said, "and instead have individual committees in the various avenues of service." Every member is on at least one committee, which is chaired by a member of the board, and ultimately reports to the board. As you read on: Now is the time to indicate what committee you would like to be on. Contact President Andy, either personally or by email. If you don't, Andy will allocate you to a portfolio. Confirm the below committees?- Club Service: just that, including Public Relations, Website, Bulletin, Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, X etc)
- Services: Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service (which ties in with the Wheelchair Trust)
- Youth Services:(RYTS, RYPEN, RYLA, Lutzy Award, National Youth Science Forum)
- Fundraising (also tying in with the Wheelchair Trust)
- Membership, including Membership Development
- The Rotary Foundation
- Wheelchair Trust, including the project shed.
An additional, special board position has been created: Welfare. This relates specifically to members. The job entails touching base with ailing members and speaking with members who we do not see often, finding out why and what we can do to encourage them to return to the fold.
Andy emphasised the importance of one of Rotary’s most principal tenements: the 4-way Test (See image). Interestingly, this was not initially established for Rotary: as far back as 1932 Rotarian Herbert Taylor was charged with saving a near bankrupt company from total ruin. It was then adopted by Rotary International. Well, you learn something new every day!