This will be a definitive year for the Rotary Club of Berwick as we build on last years progress and get the Club into second gear. The most important question for every Club member is 'Why are you in Rotary'?

 

This past year has seen many members stepping back when the club is in great need of members stepping forward. This has been the case for the last ten years. We have wasted valuable time, and while disappointing, it was not unexpected. From the records of Club attendance (meetings and projects), we have come in near the bottom of the District. The only glow in that bit of information is that not many clubs track each members attendance as well as our club does.

 

Reported attendance/makeups/apologies through the weekly booking form provide good data on each member's level of Rotary involvement. If you didn't report a makeup or apology throughout the year on the weekly booking form, that will reflect on your attendance record. To find out how you scored, look yourself up in Clubrunner. Please note that Saturday morning coffee attendance has not been counted.

So why are you a member of Rotary? Community work, helping others and making a difference seems to be a common theme. Friendship, building a social network, learning new skills, and having the opportunity for new experiences is undoubtedly another. All these things rely on a cohesive group of people to make it work for everyone and not individuals picking and choosing what they prefer on a particular day. 

In my own experience, I have joined in activities that I didn't want to do, only to find they were engaging and even fun. I have realised to expect the unexpected with anything related to Rotary. We all have the power to collectively make our club how we want it.

A new year is here, and a new President's plan beckons. There is no sign of a President-Elect, President-Elect nominee or even a President-Elect Nominee Designate, Secretary and other Board understudies. Our first job is to build next year's leadership team and get them ready to lead.