Impact Group

I am Norman Bristow and I currently chair the Kettering Huxloe Impact Group.

I came across Impact groups on a visit to America and was immediately drawn to this idea - a revolutionary way to do Rotary without club councils, committee meetings, grace, bells, presidents, speakers, loyal toasts, raffles and expensive meals.

We are based on friendship and a desire to help and serve others.  The public, unfortunately, still largely perceive Rotary as ROMEOS - "Rich old men eating out" - although this is no longer true.  The motto of the Impact Group is "GET IN, SERVE, GO HOME."

We meet every two weeks at the Kino Lounge in Kettering, where members can opt to have a meal or just a drink.  We have a convivial meeting open to all, where anyone can offer suggestions as to what we do.  We are still low in numbers, but we have a lot of projects in the pipeline.

I want to encourage the ideals of Rotary with our group being totally inclusive and welcoming all ages, sizes, abilities, religions, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, social-economic backgrounds, gender expressions and identities.

As the age demographic of most Rotarians catches up with us, I truly believe that the Impact movement, and other innovative ways of "Doing Rotary" will be the saviour of our organisation going forward.