Rotary president's lunch date

Peter stressed how Rotary was adapting by a process of engagement and innovation to ensure that clubs act as a service to their communities, and has now developed a blended approach to membership to attract younger members through the establishment of breakfast clubs, evening clubs, and project-based groups, augmenting the traditional lunchtime meetings.

Advances in technology have facilitated growth of online groups, reducing operating costs and permitting routine matters to be effectively dealt with, leaving face-to-face meetings for strategic issues.

He explained the Rotary visioning process, originating in the USA, where three facilitators stage a meeting and participants from clubs put forward ideas about their view of the organisation in five years’ time, thus giving all members an opportunity to voice their ideas.

This process facilitates the development of a strategic plan at national, district and club levels.

Peter complimented Stratford Rotary on their wide range of activities, in particular the continuing success of the Shakespeare Marathon, which raises substantial funding for the Shakespeare Hospice.

Following the meeting a visit was made to the hospice by Peter, the district governor and Stratford Rotary Club president, Nigel Peace.