How many changeovers did you get to and what impressed you about the way club leaders and members expressed club fellowship?

Article by PP Roslyn Teirney, Assistant Regional Public Image Coordinator

We have just experienced Changeover Season - a great time of year to get out and about, experiencing different ways of conducting a Rotary celebration. How many changeovers did you get to and what impressed you about the way club leaders and members expressed club fellowship?

I was invited to a particular club's changeover with a personal e-mail. If I hadn't already been a signed-up Rotarian, even this first invitation was one that would have encouraged me to connect with this club because it marked the club out as efficient and thoughtful. I booked to come along and immediately the event organiser sent me quick message thanking me. One week before the event, everyone on the event list received a courteous reminder with suggestions for travel route, parking and information about menu. Three times I had been impressed and welcomed and I hadn't even arrived yet.

On the night, outside the dinner location was a clear sign, well branded, that set my mind at rest I'd arrived at the right place.

Upon entering the room, I became even more excited as I looked at how the room had been dressed with teardrop banners, flowers, ribbons and table runners in Rotary Royal Blue and Rotary Gold and the presidential theme banner on the podium.

On each table were bumper changeover editions of the bulletin, engaging every member and guest with pages of photos of Rotarians and friends, capturing their many projects and achievements throughout the year.

Even at the bar I found a challenge to brand champions - a Rotary cocktail developed by the event organisers - no, it wasn't essential, but it was enticing and fun!

Around the room, I soon came to realise there were far more guests than members. The pride in the family and friends of members, the conversations from community leaders outside of the club recalling their earlier contact with Rotary, the exchange of ideas and warm appreciation that soon became apparent as members took part in proceedings bonded us all.

It was truly a happy, relaxed night, but very obviously a number of members had contributed to the little touches of hospitality, planned and unplanned, that made people linger over their coffees at the end of the evening.

We learned during the evening that five new members had joined this club in the past three months. Guests who were not members were invited to give their ideas about how the club members might better serve their community.

I had visited a healthy, vibrant club. And during his final speech as president, the outgoing club leader articulated his gratitude to every member and their family supporters for their service and the many little things that made the club so special.

Having had a wonderful night, I sent a note of appreciation and in return the bulletin editor sent me the media release of the leaders’ speeches, enriched by descriptions of audience response, which had just been sent to the local paper.

Rotary moments like these may be little things but the attention to lovely, happy moments builds an atmosphere that makes a club like this a magnet for members, donors and sponsors.

I don’t know who did exactly what to prepare the program and the venue, but one thing I can say with confidence: your actions expressed our Rotary values of leadership, fellowship, integrity, diversity and service. Well done to the Rotary Club of Sorell.