Four Queenstown charities are about to be the beneficiaries of circa $2,500.00 on the back of the supreme efforts of the members of the Queenstown Rotary Club, along with the generosity of the golfing public who chose to donate $10 each to park their cars on either of the Hills or Millbrook golf courses during the N.Z. Golf Open.
In addition we completed 6 BBQ events across the week and so catered to a large number of happy and contented diners. In terms of Queenstown Rotary this was, in my view, the largest mobilisation of troops since WW2 and was an excellent example of the generosity of you - the members. A fantastic effort and thanks to you all.
The next meeting 10 March will be our BBQ at Lake Hayes Pavilion where we will have an opportunity to acknowledge our generous Duck Race sponsors and to engage with representatives of the organisations who ARE benefiting from our fundraising efforts. Look forward to seeing you all there.
Proposal to Form a New South Island Rotary District:
As you will be aware there is a proposal circulating that asks the clubs of District 9970 and District 9980 to seek, from Rotary International (RI), approval to form a new South Island District. I can only assume from the preamble above that this is being promoted by the Districts and not by RI. So I take full ownership of the following opinion piece.
The proposal suggests that clubs that are in support then need do nothing. If clubs oppose then the club is required to vote against the proposal by 11 March. The notion that the vote is stacked to succeed, because clubs who do nothing have their vote recorded in the affirmative, is disingenuous in my personal opinion. In fact I would suggest that the Rotary clubs in these Districts have been let down by their District Committee’s in that we have been denied an opportunity to have a serious debate about the value or purpose of these Districts and District Committees. The true proposition, prior to such a vote, would be to ask a further question about the purpose and role of a District and District Committee and, following that debate if successful, then determine the boundaries.
From where I view the process it seems that, while there may be a need for some District organisational structure, there is a lack of accountability and purpose for the current structure and so we are, as a part of the status quo, being asked to support and provide fees to a District that is struggling to articulate and demonstrate both purpose and value.
I am also intrigued by the logic that if the Districts are a necessary evil, and that our Rotary clubs are dependent on the work and activity of our District committee, that we now face a proposition to get rid of one and this outcome can then only further distance our club from the District hub.
The proposition, as written and promulgated, does not demonstrate that there has been any considered discussion around whether, as a result of the District boundary amendment, that there would be a real or even perceived economy of scale. Some narrative talks about ‘mass attracts mass’ i.e. a larger district with relevant and viable clubs is more likely to attract new members than two smaller Districts. How so as the Districts have little current influence on club membership and the clubs are already relevant and viable so this makes the claim nonsensical.
Claiming that for a larger District sponsorship would then enhance conference activity, when in reality conference attendance effects a small percentage of club membership only, means that this claim is simply superficial as any structural change should deliver benefits to all. In addition, any perceived advantage to holding a South Island Pets Training event would, not on its own, appear to be a compelling advantage to the clubs themselves.
The real questions unanswered would be whether the expanded District would then be any more effective than the current structure and be able to deliver more for less District fees, or whether the expectation would actually be an increase in fees, or whether the expanded borders aid or hinder whatever the purpose of District may be.
Can I then assume that, given that there does not appear to be any supporting documentation to that effect, that our respective Districts have not fully discussed and have not fully considered the pros and cons and have therefore failed to establish a view on any material impact on our club.
Regretfully I suspect that this is the case and this is disappointing and points again to a missed opportunity to enhance the Rotary value proposition by our struggling District Committee.
Cheers
Ross