Last week Cowra Rotary hosted Rotary District Governor David Kennedy from Blayney on his annual visit to meet and consult with the new board and members.
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David talked to the club about this year's message from the Rotary International President, "Light Up Rotary' and what is meant by it.
Basically the thrust of the statement is that Rotary needs to get itself noticed by the public, promote the things that Rotary does for the community, locally, nationally and internationally and encourage people to join in, participate and get things done for the benefit of everyone.
David acknowledged that Rotary is seen by many members of the public as a stuffy men's club peopled by retirees who sell them raffle tickets in front of Woolies, but, he said, in order for Rotary to survive and continue the great work that it does worldwide, he cited the Polio Plus, polio eradication programme as a great example, that image has to change.
Many of the 'traditions' of Rotary meetings like the wearing of ties (he said that he hadn't for years) and semi formal dress, the saying of grace, the loyal toast, compulsory attendance etc, were perceived as being old fashioned and if it took sweeping changes to change our image and encourage younger people to join Rotary, then that was what would have to happen.
David said that the statement 'Light Up Rotary' could also be read as 'Lighten Up Rotary', put the fun back into belonging, get rid off the old stuff and bring in some new stuff, start enjoying Rotary and maybe if others see that, they might want to be part of us.
The DG awarded Ray Kelly a certificate of appreciation for his work as Projects Director and Brian Webster received a certificate of appreciation for ' Pursuing Guest Speakers for More Years Than Can be Remembered' in his capacity as Programme Director.
Cowra Rotary Club is extremely pleased that one of it's members, Bob Griffith, was declared ' Lions Citizen of the Year' at last Saturday's Lions Club changeover dinner, well done Bob.
We would also like to congratulate the Cowra Lions Club on their initiative in forming the Leos, a youth division of their club.
Rotary feels that encouraging young people to participate in services organisations at a junior level will help to insure the survival of service clubs in the future.
