Rotary Connects the World! District Seminar on Membership Development, Polio Plus & RTI Act in City
- “During 2019-2020, I am encouraging Rotarians and Rotaractors to grow Rotary. We must grow our service, we must grow the impact of our projects, but, most importantly, we must grow our membership so that we can achieve more. Let us try a new approach to membership, one that is more organized and strategic. I am asking every club to form an active membership committee consisting of people of different backgrounds who will look methodically at the leadership of the community. Growing Rotary is all about making the connections that make our organization unique in the world and strengthening and multiplying them. Let us commit ourselves to growing Rotary and to welcoming the next diverse generation of women and men as Rotary Connects the World. Mark”- Daniel Maloney – Rotary International President 2019-20
Mangaluru: Rotary is an international voluntary service organisation with century-old background, of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary is the organization which worked tirelessly for the eradication of Polio from the world through their Pulse Polio programmes. Rotary International is a non-political and non-religious organization open to all people regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, or political preference. There are 35,000+[2] member clubs worldwide, and 1.2 million individuals, known as Rotarians, have joined.
“It is the duty of all Rotarians,” states their Manual of Procedure, “outside their clubs, to be active as individuals in as many legally constituted groups and organizations as possible to promote, not only in words but through exemplary dedication, awareness of the dignity of all people and the respect of the consequent human rights of the individual.” The Rotarian’s primary motto is “Service Above Self”; its secondary motto is “They profit most who serve best” (until 2004 it was “One profits most who serves best”.
Locally, Rotary Club of Mangalore City under the aegis of Rotary International District 3181 has organized a two-day Seminar ‘Hosa Chiguru 2019’ on District Membership Development, Polio Plus and RTI Act on 10th and 11th August 2019 at Cordel Church Hall, Kulshekar, Mangaluru. Around 1000 Rotarians from four revenue districts – Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar participated in this seminar which focused on improving the membership in various clubs and chartering new clubs, awareness about Polio Plus and RTI Act of the Government of India.
During the two days seminar, Experts emphasized on various topics such as how do you attract youth to join Rotary, How to start New Club, Child and Maternal Health, Corporate Social Responsibility and Ride for Rotary. Entry was restricted for Rotary members only. ‘Hosa Chiguru 2019’, ( means New Sprout of a Seed) a two-day Seminar on District Membership Development, Polio Plus, CSR and RTI Act was inaugurated on 10th August 2019 at Cordel Church Hall, Kulshekar, Mangaluru. Mysuru City-based District Governor Rtn Joseph Mathew inaugurated the seminar by lighting the traditional lamp, along with National Vice Chairman of Rotary Pulse Polio Committee Past District Governor Rtn Dr P Narayan, District Secretary Byndoor, District Governor Nominee 2021-22 Rtn Ravindra Bhat, Asst. Governor Zone 3 Rtn Sumith Rao, Rotary Club Mangalore City President Rtn Dr Ranjan RK, Secretary Rtn Prashanth Rai, Seminar Chairman Rtn Rohan Monis.
In his inaugural speech, District Governor Rtn Joseph Mathew said “Rains have been giving us a tough challenge. Many couldn’t make it due to rains and landslides. But all those who have come for the seminar beyond all odds show their love and spirit towards the organization. Also the efforts of the Rotary Club Mangalore City, an infant club are appreciated for hosting this seminar in such a grand manner. Rotary has rigorously worked for the eradication of Polio. Soon a flag or stamp will be released and we request students support to make World Polio Free”.
Around 500 Rotarians from four revenue districts, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysuru and Chamarajanagara coming under the Rotary District 3181 participated in this seminar. Four interactive sessions were held on the first day of the seminar on important topics such as Polio Plus by National Vice Chairman of Rotary Pulse Polio Committee Past District Governor Rtn Dr P Narayan, Child and Maternal Health by Rtn Dr S R Nayak, Corporate Social Responsibility by GGM of MRPL Mr BHV Prasad, Ride for Rotary by Rtn Keshava Prasad Muliya and Right to Information Act by RTI Activist Ravindranath Shanbaug. Rotary Club Mangalore City President Rtn Dr Ranjan RK welcomed and Rt Asst. Governor Zone 3 Rtn Sumith Rao proposed the vote of thanks. Ms Hima compered the programme.
The second day of ‘Hosa Chiguru 2019’, was inaugurated on Sunday, 11th August 2019 by Past District Governor of RI District 3020 Rtn Dr Mohan Prasad G V ( in the absence of Rtn Kamal Sanghvi-Rotary International Director from Kolkota , who couldn’t make it to Mangaluru due to weather conditions) by watering a sapling symbolizing Rotary cares for Mother Nature, along District Governor Rtn Joseph Mathew, District Secretary MG Byndoor, District Governor Nominee 2021-22 Rtn Ravindra Bhat, Asst. Governor Zone 3 Rtn Sumith Rao, Rotary Club Mangalore City President Rtn Dr Ranjan RK, District Membership Chairman Rtn Crezvel Coates, District Secretary Events Rtn Vivek Attavar, District Membership Advisor Rtn Shekar Shetty.
In his inaugural address, Rtn Dr Mohan Prasad G V said “This seminar we hold every year to see that we are motivated for the rest of the year. I see very dedicated Rotarians in this district and am happy about it. Membership is the strength of any organization. More hands mean more service. Stronger clubs are needed to achieve the goals of the organization. Member involvement is more important than membership in Rotary. RI Board decision to reserve 30 percent of the assignments in Rotary to the women members emphasizes the importance Rotary is giving to rotary membership to women”.
Rtn Dr Prasad further said, “How else will we connect to grow Rotary? We should form new types of clubs — either independent clubs or satellite clubs — with different meeting experiences and engaging service opportunities, not just where there is no Rotary, but also where Rotary is already thriving. No Rotary club in the world can possibly serve all segments of its community. Therefore, we must organize new clubs to engage community leaders who cannot connect with our existing clubs. We need to start new clubs which would remain active and determined, and not those which close soon. Also, we need to induct new members who will be determined, committed and active in Club activities, and not those who pay membership fees and remain non-active. Wish this District all the best and glorious future.”
The inaugural address was followed by a session on ‘Creating Your Membership Plan’ by PDG Rtn Dr Mohan Prasad G V. The next sessions were on ‘New ideas to retain members in Rotary’ by PDG Rtn Pramod Parikh, Panel Discussion on ‘How to get youth to join Rotary’ by PDG Rtn Suresh Chengappa, Rtn Sathish Bolar and Rtn Crezval Coates, Interactive Session on ‘How to start a New Rotary Club’ by Rtn Shekar Shetty and Rtn Prakash Karanth. During the valedictory ceremony, “Hosa Chiguru” souvenir edited by Rtn Canute Pinto was released by District Governor Rtn Joseph Mathew. Clubs and Zonal heads were honoured during the occasion for supporting the Rotary and the seminar on various aspects. Seminar Chairman Rtn Rohan Monis proposed the vote of thanks and Rtn Dr Ravishankar compered the programme.
In conclusion, this unique event “Hosa Chiguru” referred to the sprouting of a seed and its growth into a fruit-bearing tree, and in similarity, for Rotary Organization, members’ ideas are the seeds of hope for a society that is constantly on the lookout for it. It is therefore up to Rotarians to give and receive, act on, and activate these ideas for the benefit of the Rotary International and Society. And since members are the lifeblood of every organization, be it service-oriented or profit oriented-in Rotary International, growth through Induction of new members is a priority as it enables them to fulfill their mission of “Service Above Self” more effectively. Besides, Rotarians must be well informed on the Right to Information Act and Polio Plus initiatives of the government, as both these programmes have a great impact on the well being of our society. This was indeed a unique and good seminar, where members present in the Seminar gained lots of information on the topics scheduled during the seminar. Team Mangalorean compliments the bunch of Rotary Clubs in Mangaluru, who are doing yeomen service to the Community through their community-oriented service projects. Kudos Rotarians, for showing ‘Service Above Self!”
