As we know, August is Membership month on the RI calendar. I think that we all fall into the trap of not really taking notice of what is happening around us. Every year RI Presidents, District Governors, and YES even Club Presidents talk the membership message. In doing so, we are told there are 1.2 million members in Rotary and perhaps that large number , while giving a warm fuzzy feeling, lulls us into a false sense of security.
The Eastman Kodak Company was incorporated in 1892 and grew into the largest producer of film and cameras in the world. Kodak became synonymous with cameras and capturing memories, remember the phrase 'that Kodak moment". It became a common phrase in our language, everyone knew the name Kodak. However, in 2013 the company filed for bankruptcy. Kodak failed to appreciate the coming of the digital age, although it invented the first digital camera.
They just didn't correctly read the community signals and changes in the world around them, believing the world still needed film and analogue cameras - the world still needed Kodak.
I do not believe we are having a BAD kodak moment, yet! We still have an active and committed membership base and rebuilding is achievable. Two is a powerful number and we have the potential of seeing that in action. We twelve can become 24 .. 48 .. 96, that is, if we can all add one member, then we can double our numbers. However, it is going to take courage, commitment, inspiration and a PLAN.
Every plan must include milestones - measurables and timeframes. Without these, we cannot measure our successes or recognise our failures. It is up to us alone to turn a potential BAD kodak moment into beautiful kodak moments as we move through the 2025-2026 Rotary year.
Let us all strive to bring one name forward for the October 14 information night. Not believing for a moment that we will achieve a magic doubling of our membership on that night, but with all projects, that hardest part is making a start. Once the ball is rolling, it will gain it's own momentum.
In 2025-2026, let's strive to
Unite for good for Rotary,
Unite for good for our Club
and
Unite for good for our Community.