Explore Rotary – Speed Dating with Rotarians

Rotary clubs in Auckland, NZ have started meetups to combine their resources to attract new members to Rotary through Explore Rotary – Speed Dating with Rotarians events. The events are a new opportunity for networking between a cross section Rotarians from various clubs around Auckland and prospective members wishing to learn more about Rotary opportunities. So far, two of these events have been held on November 26, 2013 and May 28 this year at Roxy Bar on Fort Lane in Auckland’s CBD to encourage participants to mix and mingle while enjoying nibbles and drinks. 

  

These new style Rotary events are based on a speed dating format, allowing motivated non-Rotarian attendees to interact with the representatives from the Rotary clubs present and evaluate for themselves which club would be the best potential fit for them. Six Rotary clubs participated in the first event: Auckland; Botany East Tamaki, Downtown Auckland, Mt Eden, Parnell, and Westhaven. Seven Rotary clubs participated in the second event, including repeat participation from Auckland, Downtown Auckland, Mt Eden and Parnell plus new comers Ellerslie Sunrise, Newmarket and Remuera. 

  

These two events attracted 18 Rotarians and two prospective members to the first meetup, and six Rotarians and 14 prospective members to the second meetup. So far one of the hot prospects has since joined the Rotary Club of Parnell plus another one is joining the Rotary Club of Auckland. 

 

While Rotary is an international organisation with common goals and values, there are many nuances between different clubs, including how they operate and contribute to the community. Allowing prospective Rotarians a glimpse into these differences, while highlighting the warm and welcoming nature of Rotary as a whole, is one of the main aims of the Explore Rotary – Speed Dating with Rotarians events.

 

Lessons learnt along the way include: have membership packs handy; every Rotary club should nominate two representatives to attend; and bring along friends to learn about Rotary at these casual, less intimidating Rotary events. Rotary Club of Auckland Meetup Team organisers Michael Kruesi and Lena Salim are encouraging another participating club to step up and take the lead for the next inter-club meetup, aiming at the end of August according to their four meet ups per year goal. As Michael says, “by working together we achieve more than we could individually, and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”

 

Those who are interested in coming to the next Explore Rotary – Speed Dating with Rotarians event or wishing to represent their club are invited to join the Rotary in Auckland Meetup group by following this link: www.meetup.com/Rotary-in-Auckland/