Introducing our Direct Member Hub

A June get together at the Crooklands Hotel near Kendal was enjoyed by nine of our fifteen Direct Rotary Members in Cumbria & Lancashire.  What followed was some great networking and ideas of projects.

Several Hub members supported World Polio Day in October.  A press release appeared in the the Keswick Reminder and a display was provided at Keswick Library.  Other members supported their local Rotary Club or took part in the Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland 1240 Challenge.  The border between the last two polio endemic countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, is  more than 1,240 miles  so Rotarians are encouraged to carry out something to do with the numbers 1240 whilst raising funds at the same time.  The decimal point around 1240 being placed where appropriate!

Two of our latest recruits joined the hub from one of the clubs in the Furness area.  Both experienced Rotarians Rob and Zo have busy lives supporting their grandsons,  making attending weekly meetings difficult.  Direct Membership was well timed and is offering them the opportunity to remain active Rotarians in an informal way. 

To date, they  have been able to join their former club Furness Peninsula supporting marshalling at the Flookburgh Steam Gathering and are involved in the organisation of their September coffee and craft morning.  They also helped Ulverston Rotary with their Human Fruit Machine at Ulverston festival.

Two other members in the Furness area Gil & Angela were seen out delivering poppies on behalf of Furness Pensinsula Rotary for the Rememberance anniversary.

Another member is John who transferred to the Hub when his club closed.  He has been able to continue with their Dictionaries for Life project with 200 dictionaries donated to seven local schools during the 2024-2025 year.  

As a Direct Member John has also continued helping with the Wrap Up Project collecting coats at Supermarkets and Churches in the local district, donating them to the local area collection point.  He has provided help in sorting and distribution.

Kelvin is a former member of Keswick Rotary.  He is undertaking several projects at present including involvement with Fairtrade.  Another project is to fundraise, among family and friends, for a Literacy Box.  The contents will give 25 children the resources they need to learn and to exercise.  Currently it costs  £395 to create and send a box to Zambia. 

At the end of October Wendy & Kevin attended the Bill Huntley Memorial Rotary Peace Seminar, titled 'Culture, Conflict and the Possibilities of Peace'.  This was held at Bradford University and organised by the current Rotary Peace Scholars studying there.

Whilst many of our members have transferred from existing Rotary Clubs looking for something more flexible whilst still being a Rotarian a small number of  new to Rotary  members have also tried Direct Membership attracted by its informality with a focus on projects and getting involved. 

Direct members can undertake their own projects but are also available to help out with activities organised by clubs in the district and beyond.  Further details about Direct Membership can be found here or by contacting Pam Holgate using the form below.