Welcome

Welcome to the first 'all digital' District Governor's Newsletter in 9600. You'll notice that there are a number of links in images to articles, other sites, and other information, plus videos, posts, and audio all relating to Rotary, our District, Clubs, and Members. This format is to work with the new District website, which also hosts an array of information, links, and other news and views generated locally and globally.

As we prepare for merging our Districts next year, these communication methods give us practice to unite the vast territory we cover, recognise the many nationalities and languages represented, and celebrate Rotary in all its forms.

Thank you to all who participated in our virtual Changeover, for the production contribution and technical expertise, and for the wonderful support and wishes you've shared with me. While it's been said often recently, community leadership is challenging at the best of times, and none more so than during a pandemic, but I really feel your enthusiasm and engagement with service, and that we are really connected to strive toward our goals at this time.

I'm looking forward to embarking on club visits that incorporate the best of your projects, your enrichment of your community, and that represent your club identity. I know that I will enjoy a great adventure with each of you, and look forward to sharing it with others.

So as I go, I will be capturing images and videos and these will be uploaded for your viewing pleasure throughout 9600 - call it DGTV, if you will - offering a showcase of recordings and Rotarians as People of Action. In the meantime, please enjoy the videos of the exchange of Chain of Office and badges conducted remotely, in case you missed these at Changeover.

Until then, I look forward to meeting each of you, and in the meantime: stay safe, stay connected.

DG Neil (2020/21)

Rotaract Rising

The ongoing evolution of Rotaract is redefining its place within Rotary. “It’s a new era,” says one enthusiastic Rotaractor

by Vanessa Glavinskas

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in the May issue of The Rotarian magazine. Since publishing, Interota has been postponed to 2021. Learn more about next year's Interota.

At midnight on 30 June, hundreds of Rotaractors will ring in the new Rotary year together. They’ll also be celebrating Rotaract’s ongoing evolution, including the expansion of Rotary membership to include Rotaract clubs.

“It’s really exciting,” says Ignacio González, a member of the Rotaract Club of Oriente de Talca in Chile. Until recently, Rotaractors have been considered Rotary program participants. “Now,” says González, who serves on the Elevate Rotaract Task Force, “we are a part of Rotary. It’s a new era for Rotaract.”

Rotary programs include: Interact, Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, New Generations Service Exchange, Rotary Peace Fellowships, and Rotary Community Corps

Rotaract’s elevated status within the organization was approved by Rotary’s Council on Legislation in 2019 as part of an ongoing effort to make Rotary more appealing and welcoming to young professionals. “We keep telling Rotarians to find a way to bring in young people, when we have them already and we seem to forget them,” says 2018-19 Rotary President Barry Rassin. It was Rassin who formally proposed expanding the definition of Rotary membership to include both Rotary and Rotaract.

After the Council approved revising the RI Constitution and Bylaws to include Rotaract as a membership type, the Elevate Rotaract Task Force — made up of both Rotaractors and Rotarians — was formed and began surveying members to come up with policy recommendations for the transition. “We’re hearing from Rotaractors all over the world,” says David D. Stovall, RI treasurer and chair of the task force.

On the advice of the task force, the RI Board of Directors in October approved several changes to Rotaract — the most notable being the removal of Rotaract’s upper age limit. As of 1 July, members of Rotaract will no longer be required to leave their club when they turn 31. Clubs will still be able to set their own age limit, if they wish.

Rotaract clubs will be able to take advantage of products and services such as new leadership development resources from Toastmasters International, updated online goal-setting tools, and an improved online club administration experience.

Elyse Lin, a member of the Rotaract Club of Taipei Tin Harbour in Taiwan who is also on the task force, says the age limit was an obstacle for Rotaract members who wanted to stay involved with Rotary but either didn’t feel ready for a traditional Rotary club or found the expense of joining one out of reach. “Once those members leave, it’s very hard to get them back into the Rotary family,” Lin notes. Although some Rotaract alumni continue to participate in Rotaract events, she says, they often no longer feel like a true part of the organization. With the rules change, she predicts some recent alumni will rejoin Rotaract.

For the full article, click here.