Oscar Parry
The Rotary Club of Gisborne is calling for new members to assist with its community initiatives, as membership numbers dwindle.
Gisborne Rotary president Barry Wills said there are many benefits to becoming a Rotary member, including meeting new friends, doing good for your community, and “creating balance” in your life.
“We’re all about using skills we’ve developed in our lives to help communities out,” he said.
“If you want to make some great lifelong friends and feel really good about doing some good in your community … whatever floats your boat, you can find it in Rotary.”
As the club relies on its membership base, Mr Wills reports that it is “struggling” due to a lack of numbers.
With a strong focus on the local community, the club has raised funds through initiatives like golf days, community bike rides, and sausage sizzles.
Funds raised have supported the SES, CFA, and flood relief; helped create care packs for people in the area facing poverty and escaping domestic violence; and assisted research towards polio and multiple sclerosis.
For young people in the area, the club has funded student exchanges with international Rotary clubs, such as clubs in Brazil and Germany, and offered mock job interviews in local schools.
Mr Wills said that the diversity of skills in the club’s member base is one of its strong points.
“We are pretty good networkers, managers, organisers, and we have a diverse range of skills from legal, to accounting, to architecture … you name it,” he said.
The Rotary Club of Gisborne was founded in 1977 and is one of the 46,000-plus Rotary clubs worldwide.
To receive a membership invitation for the Gisborne club, contact a Rotarian and attend one of the upcoming events.
Details: www.facebook.com/groups/277202079285808/
