RC Guelph Trillium's Innovative Way to Lead
Like many Rotary Clubs, we’ve found it hard to recruit members to take over the role of President Elect and President.
So, this year we tried a new approach. While our current President agreed to stay on as President for a second year, the duties were changed and reduced.
Instead of chairing every meeting, members took turns being the “host.” We operate under a POD system, where members are assigned to a POD that is responsible for planning the program for two months of the Rotary year. The task of hosting a meeting was added to the roster of tasks undertaken by a POD and members took their turn. A template for the meetings was provided to the host in advance, so that the format stayed consistent.
This new system has worked so well, that even though we have now recruited a president and a president-elect for the coming year, we are continuing with this format. It gave everyone an opportunity to feel involved, have some ownership in the club, show case their skill sets and for some, step out of their comfort zone.
It also meant that the President didn’t have to attend and oversee every meeting – a big commitment that can be a barrier to stepping forward.
If your club is struggling to recruit members into leadership roles, perhaps this format will work for you.
Submitted by Anne Day
Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium