Tom Gump on membership, innovation and the changing face of Rotary

Well, a question for everybody here is looking at the future of Rotary.

If somebody around the age of, let's say, 28, something like that-Up to the 35s walked in now, how would you engage them? Cheryl, I think

Oh, um, it's, it's a question I've asked...

I've five children [laughs] and I've asked them a very similar question.

Sort of turning it back to them as to what do you want? And they want fun, fellowship, and a purpose.

And that's what I would try and do-

Okay

... is say, "What do you want? What do you want to do? Tell us.

Let us-

Yes

... help you achieve what you want to achieve, and let's make sure we have fun and fellowship with it as well."

And that's exactly the road you're down, isn't it, Chloe, where you are actually seeing this in action.

Very much so.

And I say for both Rotary and Rotaract, its greatest assets are its people.

So for me, it's about connecting the, the person that's walked through the door to the experiences, to the journey, to the, the opportunities that, that exist within our network.

Um, and I think it's about going along that journey with people, rather than trying to sell what we are, show them what we do.

And I think often it's, it's about just getting them in the door in the first place to, to see that.

And, and Tom, it's interesting what you mentioned earlier about the difference you see in the northern and the southern hemispheres when it comes to your area of expertise.

How would you play this with how to engage somebody walking in the door for the first time?

You know, I've been reflecting upon your previous question.

I think I could answer both with a, a story.

Um, we need to engage people.

The best way to do that is through having them participate in projects.

And Rotary's one of those places where you can have an individual who has an idea, and with the help of Rotary, they can effectuate a change in such a positive way.

A few months ago, I went down to Mexico to look at a project, and there is a past district governor there, Kiki Lopez, and she had an area of Mexico that didn't have much visitation.