Promoting Multiple Health Messages Drives Membership

Editor's Notes

• #5: We have encouraged Districts to prepare plans that outline areas for potential development. This may be where new communities are being developed, where clubs do not mirror the diversity in their community or where they have simply run out of steam These maps shows on the LHS those clubs with 10 members or less in March 2018 and on the RHS those 276 who are single gender. – Overall we are still just over 80% male. this sort of data is a good starting point for change.
• #6: As part of a regional campaign, called Rotary 2, and led by the leadership team within RIBI we have been identifying all of the existing modern style clubs and those that are have the potential to be developed in each District. We have already identified a range of opportunities as part of the campaign, and have over 240 on the national list. Some of these are traditionally formed new clubs, many are Satellite Clubs. We also have many clubs looking at setting up alternative meetings to cater for a more diverse membership. We have all of these opportunities on a regional list which should allow us to signpost prospective Rotarians directly to these clubs from any RIBI based PR campaigns.
• #7: As of the Rotary 2 Campaign we have prepared a series of short videos for use on Social media. These showcase a range of modern style clubs describing how they meet and the sorts of activates they get involved in. These include, supporting the homeless, providing professional time to stat up social enterprises, packing food for delivery to desperate communities around the world, supporting Paralympic sports These videos were made available in January and its been great to see all Districts and many clubs making use of them. Lets take a look at one
• #8: Lets take a look at one
• #22: As I prepared for being District Governor for Cumbria & Lancashire in 2013/14 I wanted to make sure that clubs left a legacy for their own communities. I also wanted to make sure that they were more aware of and positive about our own Rotary Foundation But how might this be achieved? Living and working in a mainly Rural part of the north of England I am acutely aware of the need to make sure that we do everything we can to get help to those in need as quickly as possible I initially ……….
• #23: As of the Rotary 2 Campaign we also commissioned research into some of the key issues facing communities in our region. Rotary’s survey to the nation has importantly uncovered how nearly two-thirds of us (64%) feel lonely. Loneliness is an issue normally associated with older people but in fact, the highest percentage of people affected were aged between 16 – 29, followed by those aged 30 – 44. This is a significant finding and something that Rotary is seeking to address. The survey also uncovered, that today’s generation feels it doesn’t have the same sense of community spirit as the previous generation, with nearly half of respondents (47%) claiming they don’t even know their neighbour’s name. According to respondents, the biggest issues in society are believed to be: Mental health (56%) Poverty (48%) Homelessness (48%) Crime (45%) Care for elderly (41%) Unemployment (38%) Opportunities for young people (34%) The situation has deteriorated so much in recent times that Rotary has established 200 extra community-based groups in the past year to help tackle the challenges facing society; with Rotary clubs across the country working to confront some of these big social issues with initiatives including: youth employment projects creating food banks providing mental health support in communities helping to tackle crime or even just being there for someone to talk to when they’re lonely. Districts and groups of clubs are now being invited to use a template press release to highlight the report and raise awareness of what they are already doing in their communities.
• #24: As of the Rotary 2 Campaign we also commissioned research into some of the key issues facing communities in our region. Rotary’s survey to the nation has importantly uncovered how nearly two-thirds of us (64%) feel lonely. Loneliness is an issue normally associated with older people but in fact, the highest percentage of people affected were aged between 16 – 29, followed by those aged 30 – 44. This is a significant finding and something that Rotary is seeking to address. The survey also uncovered, that today’s generation feels it doesn’t have the same sense of community spirit as the previous generation, with nearly half of respondents (47%) claiming they don’t even know their neighbour’s name. According to respondents, the biggest issues in society are believed to be: Mental health (56%) Poverty (48%) Homelessness (48%) Crime (45%) Care for elderly (41%) Unemployment (38%) Opportunities for young people (34%) The situation has deteriorated so much in recent times that Rotary has established 200 extra community-based groups in the past year to help tackle the challenges facing society; with Rotary clubs across the country working to confront some of these big social issues with initiatives including: youth employment projects creating food banks providing mental health support in communities helping to tackle crime or even just being there for someone to talk to when they’re lonely. Districts and groups of clubs are now being invited to use a template press release to highlight the report and raise awareness of what they are already doing in their communities.
• #25: Went to our local mountain rescue teams many of whom suggested that defibrillators would be of great use, alongside some other more expensive items of lifesaving equipment.
• #26: The leader of Cumbria CC, my former employer, then approached me to see if we could help with his vision of installing 100 public access defibrillators in 100 days. A task that even a well run authority would find somewhat daunting! The North West Ambulance service was the next stop and their comment was that we need as many Community Public Access Defibrillators as we can get to support local First Responder teams both in isolated rural communities and in congested city centers.
• #27: Alongside this capital investment we have also taken the opportunity to develop our relationship with National Forum for Health & Wellbeing and range of other partners to do what we can to develop the concept of Community Health Fairs. These events are, in part, aimed at getting to those sections of society who do not go to their GPs or the NHS. We included Health MOT’s, blood tests and standard BMI and Blood pressure screening. These Health MOT’s are a key part of the day. Typically we are finding that between 30 & 40% of those seen are referred to their doctors. Particularly for High Cholesterol or potential diabetic conditions. One of the key lessons we are learning is that we need to help increase the capacity to do this valuable community work using local professionals and trainees. Of course as with all Rotary Projects we must make sure that everyone has the opportunity to have fun Local Commercial Radio hosted the first event for us, schools danced and laughter therapists performed.
• #28: We must always use these projects to make sure that people in our communities get to know more about Rotary. Bringing this level of funding into our regions can enhance the level of work we can do and therefore opportunity for others to get involved In this case we were pleased to receive a Cardiac Smart Award from NWAS attending a regional event to receive the award A key part of any grant process is measuring success and reviewing the process We held a review meeting with Carlisle City Council following the successful first in the City. This has resulted in the development of a positive dialogue about where we go next – what legacy will be available by this part of the Global Grant Project. I’m pleased to say that we jointly promoted the second event with the city council in May 2017 Discussions are ongoing about where we go next.
• #30: In the meantime the relationships we have developed in the city as a result of the Health Events has certainly increased awareness of Rotary. The Smoothie Bike we purchased for the health events as part of the Global Grant is regularly used at events both in the community and in schools and organisations. We have sponsored health related activities such as a Sugar Smart Campaign. We have Rotarians trained as Dementia Champions and I've recently been invited to be the Chairman of the Carlisle Dementia Action Alliance. The activities have also brought the 4 Clubs in Carlisle closer together and we are regularly undertraining activities together as Rotary in Action – in Carlisle
• #32: [Keep this slide at the end]
• #33: [Keep this slide at the end, and read this suggested text] Your feedback is valuable so remember to complete the brief session evaluation in the convention mobile app. To download the app, search for “Rotary Events” in your Apple or Android app store.