Come Out of the Dark - Invest in Leadership – and Imagine Your Future.

Article by PDG Brian Coffey, Assistant Rotary Coordinator

I recently presented on ‘Membership Voice’, regarding change and the turnaround of the Rotary Club of East Maitland. The biggest, and most radical change was that of having no member on the Board with more than 5 years membership of our club, with the exception of myself and a secretary.

There was concern, from a minority of the risk, with the unpredictability of their knowledge and Rotary experience – instead, I trusted their business and personal acumen.

How can they gain experience if we do not give them a chance?

How many talented and proactive Rotarians have been turned off by the closed shop mentality of some clubs/organisations? The loser is the club and the community.

Our bold move resulted in countless and continuing opportunities and benefits to our dynamic club, particularly from the different perspective and skill sets they bring. The result for us has been an influx of members, and interest, to what is seen as a vibrant club.

I have been around small business and workplaces long enough to understand this would bother some members initial instincts. I have also seen enough nepotism, ‘jobs for the boys’, its not what you know, but who you know, mentality to realise that you don’t always get the right person for the job with this paradigm.

You can teach anyone to do a role in Rotary – but if they have the wrong attitude, it can spell disaster for the club.

Finding the right person and investing in them, even if that does mean additional training time and costs, will pay dividends over the long-term.

The cultural change in our club resulted in:

• New perspectives.

The newer members appreciated, and are excited about being part of our Action Plan; making crucial contributions to our direction.

• Unimpacted minds

The new leaders have not been affected by the practices of previous boards. As a result, to succeed they quickly adapted to processes and systems, with innovation and technology.

• Innovative tech savvy input

Technology plays an increasing role in our Rotary role, from governance and reporting, project management, meetings and communication, finance right through to learning. We have adapted to be efficient, successful and comfortable.

• New members are keen to learn and engage

As this may be the members first real leadership role, they savoured the chance for training and experience to grow, learn and progress, through self-education, both within Rotary training opportunities and external courses, making meaningful contributions to the club.

• We have a responsibility to take care of our entity

Providing a step-up and an opportunity for new members to learn in the field from willing and experienced members/mentors is the key to ensure the lifeblood of Rotary, the club members, continue to progress and appreciate their impact on the community.

Now is your chance to change the guard, to be the club that provides that first opportunity for tomorrow’s leaders and benefit from that in turn. It is about time clubs, where membership numbers make it possible, enact ceiling of 3 years on Board/leadership roles to give real change a chance.