Club Meeting

1. Welcome:  Derek welcomed the 23 members who had joined on Zoom. He later welcomed DG Jill Bethell MBE to our meeting.

  Special message today is Rotary opens opportunities for all. She was grateful for the opportunity to attend our Zoom meeting, and to hear what she knows is a positive and energetic Club, and the way we deal with Club Business in the present situation. Zoom gives Clubs the opportunity to explore how we could attract new Membership.

The average age of the Membership in District 1220 is 75, and most of the

Membership is at and above retirement age. This forecast is a danger that some Clubs may not continue.

The challenge is to grow our Membership, to attract young working people, perhaps young working family groups. Use our contacts to seek opportunities for new membership from within business, higher education and the public sector. Explore the potential for e-Clubs. 

The spirit of Rotary is passed to schools through Rota Kids in primary schools, and this should be developed perhaps in higher education.

Let us turn the tide and bring in the younger age.

Allen Richmond said that we had probably spent the last 10 years focused on different ways to attract new, hopefully younger members. Our successes have been in attracting lady members and our Club had been the first in District to set up two Rota Kids groups and a third group is hoped to start this year.

Rob Gray welcomed Jill’s encouragement for satellite Clubs, as we were considering exploring the opportunity in the RAF Newton housing area. Steve Lawes said that Jill’s thoughts of thinking outside the box were in line with Vale of Belvoir’s philosophy.

Derek thanked Jill for her presentation and her refreshing encouragement.

 6. Final Toast. Proposed by President Derek.

FULL MINUTES OF THE MEETING IN THE MEMBERS ONLY SECTION OF THIS SITE.