Quarter of a Century of Service

As the saying goes, time flies when you're having fun!

This month is very auspicious as I celebrate a silver jubilee, yes it's my 25th anniversary of me joining the Rotary movement ! 🌟

As I sit down to reflect on my journey with Rotary International, I'm filled with immense pride and gratitude. It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since I first joined (at my Mothers insistence) this incredible organisation at the age of 18. What an extraordinary adventure it has been!

From the moment I became a Rotaractor at 18, joining Manly Sunrise Rotaract, I knew I was part of something special. Rotary’s commitment to "Service Above Self" resonated deeply with me, and I was eager to make a difference....after I found a girlfriend of course 🤣

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of participating in numerous projects, activities and other endeavours that have touched countless lives.

One of my earliest memories was participating in a local beauty quest that my Rotaract club put me forward for and I won! The judges must have been blind, but we raised a tremendous amount of money for the Make-A-Wish foundation. It was a simple yet powerful experience that showed me the impact of collective effort. From there, my involvement grew, and so did my passion for service and Rotary.

I’ve been fortunate to work on various Rotary initiatives, from organising blood donation drives, supporting causes for mental health to supporting education and research into the causes of stillbirth which touched my life deeply with the loss of my son Tom.

One of the highlights of my Rotary journey has been our international projects. I had the honour of being in a team to install medical equipment and build a self sustainable toilet in a rural community in Vanuatu. Seeing the smiles on the faces of those who benefited from our work was incredibly rewarding. I also collaborated on a project while in India in 2003 that provided polio vaccinations, contributing to Rotary’s global fight to eradicate this disease. Witnessing the progress we've made towards a polio-free world is nothing short of inspiring.

Another remarkable aspect of my journey has been the opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Rotary has not only given me the platform to serve but also to grow as an individual. I was selected to be a team member on a Group Study Exchange visiting America for the 1st time and landing in New Jersey! I’ve also attended numerous training sessions, workshops, conventions and conferences that have enriched my skills and broadened my horizons....well some have....don't ask me about the 2011 New Orleans Convention, I have no memory of that Lol.

I have also been able to be in the fortunate position to be a keynote speaker, flying around the world talking about change and Rotary. I've served as District Rotaract Representative, and a Rotary club president twice! This was a particularly transformative experience, teaching me valuable lessons in leadership, teamwork, and resilience. So much so that I'll be District Governor in just over a year!?

Promoting Rotary has been a passion for me and something you all know about. Be it from being a Rotary Superhero, to wearing a Rotary suit covered in the logo to making countless graphics and memes, I'm trying to get our message in whatever way I can.

Rotary has also been a gateway to building lifelong friendships. The camaraderie and fellowship among Rotarians are truly unparalleled. I’ve met so many amazing leaders, changemakers and friends from diverse backgrounds, each with a shared commitment to making the world a better place....in some cases after we've shared a drink. These relationships have enriched my life in ways I never imagined possible.

It's also been amazing to have the support of my family in putting up with sometimes a little too much Rotary and my few absences.

As I celebrate this milestone, I am deeply thankful for the support and encouragement of my fellow Changemakers in Rotary. Together, we have achieved so much, and I am excited about the future. (Check in with me in 2049 when I celebrate 50 Rotary years)

There is still so much work to be done, and I am committed to continuing this journey of service and making a positive, fun and outrageous impact wherever I can. Remember this is the guy who taught an RI President how to do the Gangnam style.

To anyone considering joining Rotary, I can only say this: Do it. You’ll become part of a global family dedicated to doing good in the world. The experiences, opportunities, and friendships you’ll gain are invaluable.

Here's to 25 years of service, growth, and friendship. And here’s to many more years of making a difference together. Thank you, Rotaract, Rotary International, for being an integral part of my life’s journey.

Remember Be The Change, Be The Good

The future of Rotary in an AI world!

In an ever changing world that has always been defined by the rapid advancement of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative, potentially revolutionary, possibly worrying force in various fields. It offers solutions to complex problems that were once considered impossible to solve. One such application of AI that has gained immense popularity is obtaining answers to questions posed by users. Whether it's searching for information on the internet, seeking expert advice, or solving intricate mathematical equations, AI has revolutionized the way we access information. So I asked the AI platform ChatGPT a simple question.

“What will a Rotary club look like in the future?”

Here's what it told me..

The future of Rotary clubs will likely evolve to adapt to changing societal and technological trends. Here's a glimpse of what Rotary clubs might look like in the future:

• Technology Integration: Rotary clubs will embrace technology for meetings, communication, and project management, enabling members to connect virtually and collaborate more efficiently.

• Diverse Membership: Clubs will become even more diverse, welcoming members of various ages, backgrounds, and nationalities, reflecting the global nature of Rotary's mission.

• Flexible Meeting Formats: Hybrid and flexible meeting formats will be the norm, allowing members to participate in-person or virtually to accommodate busy schedules and global reach.

• Focus on Impact: Rotary will emphasize data-driven, high-impact projects that address pressing global issues, such as climate change, healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation.

• Youth Engagement: Rotary clubs will work to collaborate more with Interact and other youth programs to foster future leadership and service among the younger generation and integrate Rotaract into one Rotary collaborative global membership entity, making the need for Rotaract obsolete.

Global Collaboration: Greater collaboration between Rotary clubs worldwide will enable them to pool resources and expertise to tackle larger, more complex projects.

• Innovative Fundraising: Clubs will explore innovative fundraising methods, including crowdfunding, social entrepreneurship, and impact investing, to support their initiatives.

• Sustainability: Environmental sustainability will be a key focus, with clubs promoting eco-friendly practices in their projects and operations.

• Community Integration: Rotary clubs will continue to integrate deeply within their every changing communities, becoming trusted partners in addressing more local nuanced needs.

• Leadership Development: Emphasis on leadership development will produce Rotarians ready to lead not only within Rotary but also in their professions and communities.

• Advocacy and Partnerships: Rotary will engage in advocacy efforts and form strategic partnerships to influence policies and address global challenges more effectively.

• Inclusivity: Rotary will actively work to create a more inclusive environment, embracing a broader spectrum of perspectives and promoting equity and justice.

The future of Rotary clubs will be dynamic, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to Rotary's core values while adapting to the changing landscape of the world. It will continue to be a powerful force for positive change and service.

Certainly these AI provided answers give some new and surprising perspectives into the future of Rotary, but also these answers present a warning for which we must heed. They indicate things that Rotary must and in some cases are already putting into practice.

Truly, AI doesn't need to tell us that for our organisation to continue well into the future and to stay relevant we must be adaptive to changing societal and technological trends while we stay true to our core goals.

It will require forward-thinking and aadaptable new leaders to ensure our organisation continues to make a positive impact on the world.

AI might not bring about a robot insurrection of armageddon proportions but it does give us a pause for thought.

(Images were created by AI using Dall-e 3 in chatgpt 4 with the prompt “create images of what Rotary looks like in the future”) with Thanks to Austin Armstrong.

Evidently in the future we are still having trouble getting clubs to use the correct branding 🤦‍♂️🤣

Article by Evan Burrell..with some AI help ;-)

6 reasons why I love Rotary’s annual convention

In just a few day’s the whole family of Rotary will be converging “Down Under” in Melbourne for the annual extravaganza we call the Rotary International Convention.

Those of you who know me know that spending a few intense days with a large group of people is something that I really do look forward to. So I can’t imagine a place I’d rather be than in Melbourne with my many friends. But anticipating the event got me thinking about what specifically I look forward to in a Rotary Convention. There are so many things I had a hard time narrowing it down. But here are six, in no particular order.

1. Having loads of fun and laughs. My best experiences have always been the social events, because you get to see that all Rotarians, no matter their age or background, have a passion for fun, and a fairly unique sense of humour.

2. Meeting new people. Convention provides the ultimate opportunity to network. Often Rotarians from other regions of the world can become valuable resources for collaboration on new projects. Getting to know new people will spark inspiration and fresh insights.

3. Reconnecting with some ‘old’ friends (in person). Social media keeps me connected to Rotarians who are both local and far away. However, there’s no substitute for meeting someone IRL (in real life). Conventions allow you to mix and mingle, form new relationships, and strengthen existing ones. Try this over coffee, lunch, or even a cold beer in the House of Friendship (You didn’t know they serve beer there, did you? Well it is Australia after all).

4. Sharing ideas. No matter how experienced you are at club business or service projects, you can always learn something new. We can get stuck in our own limited point of view without exposure to others. At a breakout session, you may even find yourself sitting next to a future president of Rotary International!

5. Visiting places I’ve never been. I don’t necessarily have a sightseeing plan, I just try to experience as much of a new city as I can. I like heading to places where locals hang out, you can smell the food, and get a vibe for your location. You may even discover something not in the guidebook.

6. Getting more involved. When you’re sharing the same space with thousands of Rotarians, you can’t help but discover new ways to get involved. Sometimes it’s about taking a selfie with someone who’s influenced you, or sharing an idea with someone you admire, or making a connection that leads to a new project or activity.

Can you tell I love Convention? I know registration, plane ticket, and meal and lodging can make this an expensive proposition. But the convention really is a one of a kind event that will show you the internationality of Rotary, challenge you to grow, and allow you to make new friends. Once you’ve been to one, you’ll want to come back for more.

I look forward to seeing you all and saying “G'day Mate!” for a little while.

Article by Evan Burrell

Social Media the most important tool in the toolbox

In Rotary a lot is mentioned about having good Public Image (PI) to enhance the Rotary brand to the general public.

PI if you’re unaware of it is the very fine art of managing communications not only between an organisation and the public but also between ourselves. Whether the news is good or bad, people will always have something to say about you, your business perhaps and even your Rotary club. So how can social media improve your clubs public image efforts?

Social media allows you to engage in the conversations taking place about your club as they happen. Social media also creates the opportunity to change the conversation, increase the awareness of Rotary’s brand, and improve your search engine optimization (SEO).  That basically means the more your club is active on social media the more hits and searches you will come up on in Google, the more potential members will actually find you.

Understanding social media relations is an important part of your PI effort.  The audiences your club is trying to reach or influence are spending time on and being influenced by social media, this is where the conversation is happening and Rotary and especially your club needs to be at the forefront of it.  Good social media PI participation means also connecting with and engaging with influential people who can help to promote a positive brand image for Rotary. Think about engaging your local member of Parliament for example on social media and see if they can help promote your club and members with a friendly shout out on their own social media accounts. It is also important to identify and empower positive Rotary brand ambassadors from your own club or district to help “sell” the good Rotary public image. 

Building positive relationships with your clubs fans and followers helps dispel any negative brand attention and accentuate what’s positive about Rotary and the things Rotarians are doing in the world. But here is the kicker, social media is already over saturated with content so you must have something interesting to communicate to your audience. So keep it fun, friendly and informative and it will work well for your clubs public image.

Article by Evan Burrell

Reaching out to rotaractors

I served almost every role imaginable in my 12 years in Rotaract in Australia, before I decided it was time to find a Rotary club. I was invited to join a club whose members were mostly over the age of 50 with the thought that I could inject some youthful experience into it.

But it didn't go according to plan, maybe I was a bit too rambunctious or overly enthusiastic (I was). Or maybe they weren't willing to change, even subtly (they weren't). I almost left Rotary altogether because I stopped enjoying it. I eventually ended up in another club, and I've been able to play a larger role in creating an environment that is engaging members of all ages.

Here are some of my insights into why Rotaractors make the best Rotarians!

WHY RECRUIT THEM?

For starters, Rotaractors make great members because they already know so much about Rotary. They've been educated in how Rotary works, what the structure is, what the main causes are, and they are trained in leadership [skills] that they can translate straight into Rotary. Equally important, they bring new ideas that can invigorate your club.

HOW TO RECRUIT THEM

The most important thing is investing time in their lives by: Giving them a role to play beyond simply attending club meetings - Ask them to serve on your board or on a committee. Partner with them on some of their Rotaract club's events. Sponsor them to attend a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) weekend or to attend the Rotary International Convention. Over the course of a year or so, you are going to know who they are, what their experience is, what they are good at, and what they are willing to give, and these are the kind of people who will definitely join your club at any age. Involving them in a project - Offer a variety of projects so they can choose one they are passionate about. And be willing to entertain ideas they bring to the table.

It's important to really listen to them. Rotaractors want to feel like they are respected and that their ideas count. For example, draw on their skills with social media, fundraising or international development. Mentoring them - Most young adults are actually attracted to the idea of mixed-age clubs because they are able to benefit from the knowledge and experience of older members.

Strengthen the connection between Rotaract and Rotary International during World Rotaract Week (7-13 March 2022)

Article by Evan Burrell.

I’m ready for my close up!

Have you considered sharing short video content as a membership recruitment strategy?

If you haven’t explored short video to promote your Rotary club, you may be missing out on a perfect opportunity to connect with a wider audience over social media.

But, I hear you ask, is video really possible for my little ol’ Rotary club? Absolutely! Nowadays you don’t need professional gear, expert editing skills or software. You don’t even need to be super-confident in front of the camera – all you need to do is tell a story. When you look into the lens of the smartphone camera and you talk directly to your Facebook fans as if you’re in a room with them, this creates more intimacy and connection.

Film impromptu, personal videos to get some great engagement on your Rotary club Facebook fan page. Keep the videos short in length – one to two minutes is fine – and don’t worry about getting it just right, usually the first take is the best. So, what do you film? Film a real personal story that is unique to your club, perhaps the reasons why you joined. Film your members in action on a project; maybe even the process of how you cook the world’s greatest Rotary sausage!

Interviews are another great way to bring people to watch your videos. Perhaps after your guest speaker has spoken to the club take them aside and record a small summary interview about what they just presented. Remember, the more interesting and unique your interview is, the more likely people will share it across their own social media network.

Remember, though, not all video content needs to be produced by you; instead, guide your audience to videos that help communicate Rotary’s objectives. A search on YouTube will provide you with plenty of Rotary related video content.

Lastly, what do you want your viewers to do once they’ve watched your video? Present a distinct call to action, like: “Learn more about joining our club by visiting our website” or “Donate towards our fundraising appeal”.

As online video continues its huge rise, hopefully you’ll find plenty of inspiration about how you can use it to show off the best side of your club!

Article by Evan Burrell

A New Year Rotary resolution

It’s another new year, and with it come more decisions, responsibilities, and — more importantly — some inspiration.

A new year is a great time to make a fresh start for Rotary. So how do you get off to a good start? That’s a question many Rotary members ask themselves when January 1st rolls around. Some dive straight in and make a big SPLASH! Others ease into it a little more gently, hangovers not withstanding.

If you can identify with some of these New Year’s resolutions, you should be good to go for 2022.

Keeping your club in shape:

People often make New Year’s resolutions to live a better life. They might want to eat more healthfully or exercise more often to shed a few extra pounds.

You can make resolutions for your club for the same reason — to help it stay in tip-top shape for the coming year.

So ask yourself some important questions. Has your club grown in membership? How did your fundraising efforts compare with those of the previous year? Is your club PR getting better? Are you meeting your club goals?

A little bit of club exercise could make all the difference between a successful club and a sluggish one.

Re-engage:

Since your club thrives on the engagement of your members, it makes good sense to look at your projects and meeting structure and see where you can make some improvements.

Set some new goals to re-engage with your fellow members and the community.

Find out if your fellow members are happy with the club and its direction. Assess your club traditions: Are they a benefit to the club?

Make some personal resolutions, like bringing a friend to every meeting or telling more people about Rotary. The people you ask could make great new members, so tell the people you work with, the people you socialize with — even your family — that your Rotary club is a great organisation.

Mentor a new member. Do you remember your first few club meetings? Were they confusing? The new Rotary year could be your chance to help a new member get past that confusion and discover what Rotary, and your club, is all about.

The important thing to remember for this new year is to choose your resolutions, set some goals and a schedule for accomplishing them, and then make them happen!

Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉

Article by Evan Burrell

Using social media to show the lighter side of Rotary

I like to present a lighter, more fun, more humorous side to Rotary on social media. I find it grabs people’s attention, member and non-member alike.

I come up with new, sometimes silly, ideas that inspire people and make them laugh — like using photo editing software to post a picture of Paul Harris taking a selfie, or posting a video of Past RI President Ron Burton dancing Gangnam Style, or posting an eye-catching image using #WeAreRotary. It’s all meant to get a response or reaction.

We can use social media to show that not only are we making a positive difference in the world, but we are having fun doing it. This makes the idea of Rotary more relatable, especially to new generations, who may feel disconnected with some of the formalities of Rotary but are avid users of social media.

Posting inspiring messages, funny pictures, or fun facts gives Rotary members a chance to feel involved. But content needs to be sticky. Sticky content is content that people are actually interested in, want to share, and want to interact with. That’s critical to maximizing the impact of the message. And it must come from a personal and honest place.

I had a lot of fun way back at the 2014 Rotary International Convention in Sydney, Australia, taking thousands of selfies with Rotarians, Rotaractors, senior Rotary leaders, and even the pop vocal quartet Human Nature! I then compiled all the photos into a video and shared it over my social media networks. It generated such a great response from people who saw the convention in a different light. That little bit of extra fun and inspiration could be just what it takes to convince a person to start a project, knowing there is a huge network of supportive, helpful, friendly, and fun-loving individuals willing to help.

Social media also acts like a collective mind when it comes to sharing ideas and knowledge. Whereas before we might have had a roomful of Rotarians eating tasteless chicken, it’s now possible to promote an idea by posting it on Facebook and have it seen by huge numbers of members all over the world. Without having to eat a bite!

In the end, all we are trying to do is use social media to connect and have FUN. I have incorporated this into Rotary and my life. Social media to me is, by definition, something that has no bounds. But we should also do our best to empathize the good qualities of our organization in a way that helps others relate to us as approachable, positive, and fun.

If you would like to connect with me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram at @changemakerevanburrell

Article by Evan Burrell