AFL Grand Final in Melbourne and in May 2023 the RI Convention.

Article by PDG Stephen Lamont, Rotary Coordinator

Melbourne is a wonderful city with plenty to see and do. It is also the home of the AFL Grand Final at the MCG and in May 2023, the Rotary International Convention. Both events provide the opportunity for sliding door moments and have more in common than we think.

During a train trip to the AFL Grand Final in September, we arrived at a station. Doors slide open and a family enters and sits opposite. An opportunity arrives – to engage in simple conversation, or simply ignore them. Starting a conversation is the preferred option (even though they were not wearing team colors).The family are on their way to the Royal Melbourne Show. The young children discuss their favourite wishes for the day – viewing the animal house, a ride or two and a show bag. It was an opportunity to see the bigger picture of what people were doing that day, and not just focus on the football.

Rotary International Convention 2023 (RICON23) provides us with a similar opportunity. Have we started a conversation with our club members on the opportunity to meet and greet Rotarians from all over the world? Rarely do we have the RI Convention in our own Zone – and for most Rotarians, it is the best and closest means to see the bigger picture of Rotary and truly comprehend the word International in our organisations title. Meeting people from all over the world (we are expecting 20 thousand Rotarians to attend) in one place is something every Rotarian should experience at least once. The House of Friendship showcases the wide variety of groups and projects being done all over the world. Ideas for collaborative projects, exposure to Global Grant opportunities, understanding the variety of Fellowships, but most importantly, by attending you learn more about your membership of Rotary. It is often said that people will support a cause and provide time volunteering for that passion – we can open the door and embrace that and be part of it – or close the door and miss out.

Volunteering to assist at RICON23 is another opportunity to be an ambassador for Rotary and for our Zone. Volunteering is what we do as Rotarians – it goes back to what is in our Rotary DNA. It also provides scope for fellowship and interaction, either individually or as a club. Why not make volunteering for four hours at RICON23 a club activity? The volunteer team for RICON23 is inclusive of Rotarians and Non-Rotarians. Why not invite potential members to spend time as a volunteer? When we are asked by potential members, what does Rotary do – our response if often mixed – but here is the perfect way to answer that question. We are a people organisation that prides itself in the motto of Service Above Self.

Please spend some time looking at the Host Organisation Committee for RICON23 website: rotarymelbourne2023.org and register as a volunteer. An opportunity exists for every Rotarian, Rotaractor and Friend of Rotary to be part of the big picture of Rotary – do not let this sliding door moment pass. Embrace your membership in the best manner possible.

PS - (And embrace your team when they win the Grand Final by 81 points!)