People Don’t Remember Meetings, They Remember Moments
If there’s one thing I’ve been reminded of this year, it’s this…
People are complicated……very very complicated.
And from time to time, we’re going to encounter people who are difficult. That’s not unique to Rotary, that’s just life, it’s human nature. But in a volunteer organisation built on relationships, trust, and shared purpose… those challenges can hit a little harder.
Rotary is amazing… until it isn’t!
It’s the moments, the experiences and the interpersonal interactions that make or break Rotary.
Over the past few months, there have been a few “human resources” issues across clubs in my district. The kind of issues that have kept me, my District Youth Protection Officer, and my District Conflict Resolution Officer very busy and more often than not, up at night!.
It’s never easy to manage and occasionally we question our beliefs. Not because we don’t believe in Rotary.
But because we care deeply about what Rotary should be and that means having some honest conversations about the kind of Rotary we all want to create.
A Rotary that is welcoming. A Rotary that is inclusive. And absolutely, a Rotary that is free from harassment, bullying, abuse, conflict and tension.
Because let’s be clear, creating safe, respectful and positive experiences for all members is not optional. It’s essential!
Now here’s the reality…Not every relationship is going to work.
Sometimes personalities clash.
Sometimes values don’t align.
Sometimes the best thing we can do… is take a step back.
But even in those moments, how we behave matters. We can disagree without being disagreeable.
We can set boundaries without creating conflict. We can walk away from situations that no longer serve us…or our commitment without tearing others down in the process.
No one joins Rotary for the drama.
So if we’re being honest, truly honest, Rotary isn’t perfect, Rotarians aren’t perfect.
We’ve all met them.
The Rotarian who can be a bit difficult.
A bit stuck.
A bit resistant to change.
A bit disagreeable
And sometimes…even a bit shit!
We all know one right?…and if you don’t, then maybe it’s you!
And here’s the danger, those moments, those people, those experiences, can be enough to turn someone
away from Rotary entirely.
They can stop someone from finding connection. From finding purpose. From finding something that could genuinely change their life.
And that should concern all of us.
Because the future of Rotary doesn’t depend on our history. It depends on the experiences we create right now. So here’s what I want to say…
Don’t let a Rotarian… put you off Rotary.
Because Rotary is bigger than any one person.
Bigger than any one club.
Bigger than any one project.
Bigger than any one program.
Rotary is what we choose to make it, so be the reason they join, not leave.
The future of Rotary isn’t written in policy documents.
It’s written in moments. In how we treat people. In how we include people. In how we make people feel.
Rotary doesn’t have a membership problem, it has a moment problem.
Because somewhere out there right now. There’s a potential new member.
Not quite sure where they fit. And they’re only one good Rotary moment away…
From finding their people.
From finding their purpose.
From finding their path.
But with a new member or even a long-term member it just takes one, just one.
One experience..
One bad experience… and they’re gone!.
Or one great experience… and they’ve found their people for life.
That’s the difference.
And that’s the responsibility we carry.
Because Rotary doesn’t lose people because of policy.
It loses people because of “personalities”.
So the question isn’t “What kind of Rotary do we have?”
It’s this…
What kind of experience did you create today?
The Rotary they experience is the Rotary they remember!
Article by Evan Burrell
----
I encourage you to visit the Rotary Learning Centre Resources and take the many free
courses on offer, like this one.
Essentials of Understanding Conflict: A core course available to help Rotarians manage
and resolve disputes.
Visit https://my.rotary.org/learn