I’d like to begin by reflecting on my experience at recent Rotary meetings.

As you are all aware, our club members are predominantly male.

For one moment, I’d like you all to put yourselves in my position.

Imagine how you would you feel if you were the only male at the meeting, surrounded
by 15 to 20 females?

All jokes aside, I would think you’d feel a little uncomfortable and possibly intimidated.
I no longer want to feel as I did when I was one of the only female swimming coaches on pool deck at State &
National competitions, at which the male coaches chose to intimidate in various ways.

My role and responsibility as President and leader of this club is to ensure that all members feel welcome,
comfortable, cared for, valued and respected.

I encourage you all to start sitting next to people you may not know very well, engage in conversation, learn
more about them and share your positive Rotary experiences.

I intend to lead the club in a positive and more vibrant direction, engaging members in activities and projects 
of their choice and passion. I’d like everyone to feel eager and happy to attend meetings; think about and 
share new ideas.

I want to include partners, family and our Friends of Rotary in our activities and meetings.

I’d like everyone to leave our meetings feeling energised, enthusiastic, keen to take on new challenges.
I encourage all members to set up a My Rotary account if you don’t already have one. Check out
the Learning Centre and familiarise yourselves with the courses available, which are there to enhance our
Rotary knowledge and experience.

We are ‘Rotarians’, people of action and keen to make a difference by putting service and others above self.
Rotary is changing as we move forward and we all have to accept this for the health and well-being of our club
and for our members.

At future meetings I intend to wear the Presidents collar with pride, stand tall, introduce change and build
morale. I’d like to have the opportunity to ‘do it my way’ as all Presidents should have the right to do.

‘Imagine’ our club moving forward in a more inclusive and harmonious way. Let’s be the club which other
Rotarians would want to join and a club which is attractive to prospective new members.

On a final note, it is my belief that COVID has had a huge impact on the dynamics of not only us
Club, but in all areas of society. After all, we didn’t have the ability to socialise or interact with others due 
to all he lockdowns. Zoom became our way of communicating from the little boxes on our computer screens.

It’s now time to pick up the pieces and get back to where we were pre COVID! Let’s work together to make a
difference.

Yours in Rotary,
Leanne