SERVICE ABOVE SELF

with children from Community of Hope School for the Deaf 

with young Rotaract members

One of the best things about being a Rotarian is the opportunities it provides. Wherever you go in the world, whether for business or pleasure, there will always be a group of people waiting to greet you with open arms, a warm welcome, and the prospect of learning about a new culture from an insiders’ point of view.

In the 16 years since I joined the Rotary Club of Ilminster, as their first female member, I have made a point of visiting Rotary clubs in places as far afield as Marrakesh, Pune, Prague, and now Nairobi.

Sadly, in the UK many people think of Rotarians as being a bunch of, shall we say, rather mature do gooders. To a some extent, I can understand this. Certainly, many clubs struggle to recruit younger members to add new impetus to the fantastic work that Rotary carries out within their communities.

One of the joys of exposure to clubs elsewhere is in being able to experience first-hand the wide variety of ways in which they operate, and aa different approach that we can all learn from. In the past, there were strict rules about who could become a Rotarian and how frequently they must attend meetings, along with a whole manner of customs and rituals adopted by individual clubs. Thankfully that is no longer the case.

At a meeting I attended this week 7 new members, all in their early 30s, were inducted into just one club.

If Rotary is to survive then it must adapt to the constraints and challenges imposed by modern day life, preventing many of us from contributing meaningfully towards improving the lives of others.

A willingness to adapt can pose difficulties for long standing members who find that the clubs they joined are evolving in a way they find uncomfortable.

In visiting Nairobi and clubs in other similar cultures what strikes me most is the high esteem in which Rotary is held. Anyone wanting to make their mark in the world aspires to become a Rotarian. The result of this, as communities that might once have been considered to be third world, advance through education and technology, is that younger people are flocking to join Rotary, gaining valuable experience and leadership skills that will enhance their CVs as they get ready to explore the wider world.

This was brought home to me when I attended the 38^th Rotary Sunshine Rally at Jamburi Park, a venue the size of the Royal Bath & West Showground. Each year a group of Rotary clubs provide entertainment, food and goody bags for almost 4,000 children with disabilities. The event costs the equivalent of £60,000 to put on, funded largely by donations from local businesses, and celebrities who perform for free.

The rally, entirely volunteer led, was originally set up by a Rotarian whose son was disabled. Most of those involved were enthusiastic Rotaract teenagers and young adults. It seems to be the norm rather than the exception for youngsters to become involved with Rotary at an early age.

Of the many groups there, as a special school governor, I was particularly interested in meeting those from the Percy Davies School for the Disabled. I also had the opportunity to practice my sign language skills with pupils from the Community of Hope School for the Deaf, led by Sister Celine.

I feel that it is only by engaging with Rotarian groups across the world I can fully appreciate their diversity. If we close our minds, believing that we can continue to operate in the way we have always done, then we are missing an opportunity. Thankfully, while there are so many of the next generation who are passionate about Rotary and its focus on ‘Service Above Self’, then its future will be in safe hands.