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.
The official opening of the new courts at St James Church was a grand affair.
Rev Graeme Peters welcomed everybody and expressed his appreciation to all concerned. He then introduced Federal MP, Julian Hill, who was a Member of the Church, who
To his credit, he had done his homework on the project and spoke most eloquently about the demographics of the area and the long term benefits for the community provided by the courts, particularly for the youth. He was followed by Mayor, Jim Memeti, Con Meehan, on behalf of the Club, Bishop Paul Barker and Felicity Costigan, CEO of the Melbourne Anglican Foundation.
A highlight was a “comedic” performance by a youth choir, complete with audience participation!
There was a good representation from the Church, the Community and the Police, as well as “Living Treasure” Margo Hartley. There was also a player from Albion Soccer Club. Off to one side, Joe, Kam and Terry fired up the barbie and provided sausages to everyone.
After a prayer, the ribbon was cut and the courts were declared officially “open”. People swarmed on to the courts and shooting practice took place as we waited for an official to arrive and referee exhibition matches.
The Club provided finance to supplement the costs of the development, (the vast majority was provided by the Church), money well spent, encompassing the Rotary Avenues of Community, Youth and Environment. Another proud achievement.
We are dedicated to enhancing your Rotary experience by supporting what is important to you, our members. You have consistently told us that you want Rotary to be a place that celebrates diversity, that fully represents our communities, and that offers all members equitable opportunities to thrive.
You also recognize that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) will allow us to do more meaningful work while engaging with people who know they’ll be valued for the qualities that make them unique. These sentiments were reinforced last year by the more than 31,000 members around the world who responded to our first DEI survey.
To ensure that the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are ingrained in everything we do, the RI Board of Directors, guided by the DEI Task Force, has strengthened our commitment to DEI and is taking action in response to the survey findings.
Our DEI Code of Conduct
What we say and how we behave matter. Although free expression is important, we must take responsibility for how our words and actions may affect others. The Board has approved a new DEI Code of Conduct to help Rotary members create and maintain an environment that is collaborative, positive, and healthy for everyone.
Simply put, the DEI Code of Conduct asks you to:
Use respectful language
Be supportive
Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment
Celebrate diversity
All Rotary leaders, from club presidents and district governors to directors and trustees, are expected to apply the DEI Code of Conduct uniformly to help members recognize the impact that their words and actions can have on other people.
If you experience behavior that does not align with the DEI Code of Conduct, you have ways to respond:
If the situation can be resolved through discussion, please talk to the person directly. Often, the person who said something or acted in a way that made others feel excluded, marginalized, or targeted did not do so intentionally. Although there might be mistakes, missteps, and uncomfortable conversations along the way, having this dialogue will lead to a better and stronger Rotary.
If a discussion is not possible or the situation involves someone in a leadership role or another club, contact Rotary’s Club and District Support staff, who will review the information and follow up appropriately.
If you are in danger or your safety is in doubt, contact local law enforcement officers and notify Club and District Support staff.
As an organization, we are stronger when we embrace the diversity found in our clubs and communities. We are more effective when we offer a valuable, inclusive experience that provides equitable opportunities for people to serve, to lead, and to participate with us. To grow Rotary and become a more dynamic organization, we must take DEI seriously. And with your support, we are doing that.
Sincerely,
Shekhar Mehta, RI President and the 2021-22 RI Board of Directors
