Every month has a theme set by Rotary International, and the August theme is "Membership." In the past, Rotary's strict meeting and attendance policies made it difficult at times for us to recruit and retain members. Before COVID, some clubs began to take advantage of new, more relaxed meeting policies instituted by RI, moving to bi-weekly meetings, meeting in a variety of places, even hosting meetings online. That's one reason why, when COVID hit, Rotary clubs were able to adapt quickly and and host virtual meetings through online services such as Zoom.
With wide-spread vaccination, a lot of clubs have moved back to in-person meetings, or were planning to do so at the end of the summer. The Delta variant is giving many pause to consider if that's the right decision for them. If your club chooses to host in-person meetings, I urge you to make it easy for those who aren't comfortable attending in-person to attend on-line. Hosting a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting doesn't have to involve elaborate video conferencing facilities--you can give Zoom attendees access to the meeting with a lap-top set up at the end of a meeting table. If you need help hosting a hybrid meeting, please contact our District technology specialists Kyle Mueller or Patrick Wendell, who will be more than happy to help you.
As you plan for the fall, there are some other simple actions that you can take to make your meetings and events more inclusive. When you schedule them, are you aware of the holidays of different religions? Are your live meeting sites accessible for disabled people? Will your virtual meetings work for the sight and hearing impaired? Are you asking members if they have any dietary restrictions? These are small steps, but they show that we're respecting the needs of others.
On September 18th District 7950 will be hosting an Installation Celebration at the Sea Crest Hotel in Falmouth RI, at 5 pm. We'll recognize the work of Immediate Past District Governor Charlene Jarest and her leadership team, hearwhat’s coming this fall, and view projects from around the District that clubs are most proud of (Club Presidents--Please prepare a table-top display showcasing your club's favorite project).
Tri-Town: South Shore’s Largest Flea Market at Marshfield Fairgrounds September12 https://tritownrotary.com
Our Native American heritage
Our District is seated in the ancestral homeland of the Massachusetts, Narragansett and Wampanoag tribes. To learn more about their heritage and the work of the three tribes today, please visit