Stronger together: How Rotary Community Groups are expanding reach and impact

By pooling ideas, resources and relationships, Rotary Community Groups are helping clubs deliver stronger projects, expand their community reach and create a more connected and rewarding member experience.

One of Rotary’s greatest strengths is its ability to bring people together to achieve more than they ever could alone. Whether it’s tackling local or international challenges, or creating opportunities for fellowship and growth, collaboration is at the heart of the Rotary experience.

Across the region, Rotary Community Groups (RCG) are putting this principle into action. Di Clements, the Rotary Community Leader (RCL) in South Australia, has seen first-hand how collaboration between clubs can unlock new opportunities, inspire innovation and help clubs thrive.

Here, she shares three super tips from the field on how working together can strengthen projects, member experience and Rotary’s presence in the community.

01. Collaborate on community projects

Di’s RCG comprises 14 clubs. Their first project was to take part in the ‘Lift the Lid Walk’ to increase awareness about mental illness across Australia and raise funds for Australian Rotary Health.

This event laid the groundwork for a collaborative and coordinated project. The RCG developed action groups with representatives from each of the 14 clubs.

“While we had some great outcomes in terms of money raised for Australian Rotary Health, the outcomes in terms of connecting with the public weren’t as positive as we would have liked,” Di explained. “However, the collaboration between clubs was outstanding and that’s something we can build on and work towards for a better event this year.”

02. Show up at major community events

Rather than viewing limited community support during the Lift the Lid Walk as a setback, the group saw it as an opportunity to rethink how they engage with the community.

“The walk taught us that rather than expect people to come to us, we should go out to where the public already is. We’re going to be able to expand our reach and make a greater impact through being in their space,” Di explained.

For their next project, the RCG will carve out a space and host a stall at the upcoming Royal Adelaide Show, which is known for drawing a crowd of up to 500,000 visitors. But wait, there’s more! To manage this stall over 10 days, the RCG is expanding its resources and reach even further by collaborating with another RCG, bringing a total of 24 clubs together on this project.

“Working collaboratively with other RCLs, we’ve noticed that people have got to know each other better. That fellowship that people often seek out in Rotary has supported greater relationships and therefore mentoring opportunities. People are seeking each other out in those spaces, which is a fantastic change that didn’t used to occur,” Di said.

03. Make sure everyone is involved

Di met with presidents from the most geographically distant clubs within the group to talk about some tough challenges these clubs were facing. With limited resources and members, these clubs were potentially facing amalgamation or handing in club charters.

Instead, together, they came up with solution. Another nearby club was brought into the conversation, and the three clubs formed what’s now called the Southern Hills Rotary Network. While they remain small and independent, they now work closely together on projects, service and fundraising, and hold most meetings jointly. The result has been more energy, stronger connections and a great meeting atmosphere. Most importantly, those clubs are no longer talking about closing, but about what they can do together.