The most important breakfast event was the presentation of pharmaceutical books to Zeenat Bikhoo of Trinity Health Services so that the pharmacy is a step closer to being functional. Top left Lucille Blumberg is about to make the presentation and is thanking our guest, Lee Baker of Amayeza Information Centre, for her help in acquiring the necessary books
Here she is in her Somalia outfit! She went with Gift of the Givers Foundation.
Judging by her fascinating talk on her return from Haiti after the earthquake it's not to be missed.
1. In the period 31 July 2011 to 16 August 2011 Gift of the Givers flew 6 planes into Mogadishu carrying 112 tons of emergency supplies.
2. A 20 member South African medical team provided medical care from 1-8 August 2011treating in excess of 5000 patients, mostly malnourished, dehydrated children and saving many lives in the process. Every child was given R1300 of life saving nutritional supplements to take "home" to prevent onset, or arrest further deterioration, of severe malnutrition.
3. In excess of 5000 families were provided with dry food rations.
4. In the period 18-31 August 2011 three ships carrying 1500 tons of supplies were on the way to Mogadishu. An additional 240 tons of supplies depart in the next 48 hours.
5. Preparations are being made to load several hundred more tons of supplies that are pouring into our warehouses; all new loading of containers will take place between 6-9 September 2011 so those wanting to send their contributions are most welcome to do so.
Dr Hashi, Gift of the Givers representative in Mogadishu, has set up four Feeding Centres in different districts feeding a nutritious "wet" meal to 20 000 people per day. In addition, everyday, in different districts, 300 new families are given "dry" rations to try to stave off hunger in areas where we don't have feeding centres yet. Several hundred patients, mainly children, have been treated by Dr Hashi, with antibiotics, nutritional supplements and intravenous fluids, amongst other treatment modalities whilst awaiting the arrival of our new medical contingent.
Young Rotarian advocates a new approach to Rotary
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Katie Ischkin, past president and founder of the Rotary Club of South Metro Minneapolis Evenings, Minnesota, USA, talks about attracting younger members to Rotary. Rotary Images
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Katie Ischkin, past president and founder of the Rotary Club of South Metro Minneapolis Evenings, Minnesota, USA, believes in a new approach to Rotary.
Her Rotary club, chartered in June 2010, has already grown to more than two dozen members, including 12 new Rotarians who were recruited in a three-month period. The club has signed up for its first Matching Grant and international service project and has participated in more than 10 community service or hands-on volunteer efforts.
Ischkin recently shared her ideas on how to attract young professionals with RI. As a "proud, young, female Rotarian," she is among only 2 percent of club members worldwide under the age of 30, and only 11 percent under 40.
"We need to focus on generating interest in young people for the future success of Rotary," she said. "We are faced today with the need to grow not just for the sake of numbers but to create strong, young, global leaders who are going to help continue the success of the Rotary organization."
Ischkin advocates a new outlook on membership and a different approach to club structure. As a change management consultant, she said she understands people's fear of change. But she stressed that her approach doesn't mean altering the core pieces of the organization or losing what Rotarians hold dear.
"What does change are what I call surface-level elements," she said. "The pieces that individual clubs have the power to shift and redesign, such as meeting times and locations, program structures, club member involvement, and committee formats."
Manage expectations
Ischkin's club meets in the evening and lowers costs by not having meals. And it doesn't hold a traditional meeting every week: The third meeting of the month is a happy hour/networking event at different locations in the city, and the fourth meeting is a hands-on volunteering opportunity.
"We’ve also accepted that, with a younger membership, we have a higher rate of turnover, mainly because some members aren’t quite settled on the city or their career," she says. "We can’t be afraid of inviting members who may leave."
Ischkin added that it's important to understand the mindset of the new generation and manage expectations accordingly. Younger people are "always on the go and truly connected," she explained, whether it’s through social networking, text messaging, or other means. They face a lot of pressure to be involved in multiple endeavors and to balance work and personal life. As a result, they may be "on call" with their careers, but they are no less dedicated to service.
"When you’re trying to recruit younger members or even sponsor and start a New Generations Rotary club, take time with your club and committee to outline what your expectations are and whether they will align with the younger generation you are trying to attract and work with," she said. "Not every Rotary club can quickly shift gears to attract younger members; it takes time and baby steps."
But for many clubs, she said, "all it takes is opening up your minds and starting to think differently about the future of your club's membership."
"This new approach to Rotary, accomplished through such small changes, can help draw younger members, who will view Rotary as an attractive and worthwhile addition to their ever-growing list of commitments and interests."
I find the flexi-meeting idea quite interesting as is the concept of not being afraid to introduce members who may leave..
ReplyDeleteManaging new members' expectations is clearly most important.