CENTRE WELLINGTON – A new Centre Wellington-based Rotary club is trying to "push the envelope" of what a service group can look like.
Launched just over a year ago, the Rotary District 7080 E-club is a new volunteerism-based service club co-created by Centre Wellington Coun. Barb Lustgarten-Evoy, a longtime Rotary Club member who said she wanted to create a new club that was different than traditional service-based organizations.
"The way I see it, the more service clubs, regardless of their name, the more people living in service and having different opportunities," said Lustgarten-Evoy.
A cause-based club, Lustgarten-Evoy explained that unlike typical service clubs, the 7080 club isn't fundraising-focused and has two main mandates: raising awareness about human trafficking and giving a platform to local youth and diversity in the community.
Outside of their involvement with the annual Canada Day celebration and Fergus Scottish Festival, Lustgarten-Evoy said the group was a part of hosting an All Clubs Day featuring all but one of Centre Wellington's service clubs and hopes to get more involved with other initiatives going forward.
The club is currently involved in efforts to install a UN Peace Pole, an international symbol with the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth," at Wellington Place by the end of this month.
"We're doing a lot of firsts, which I think is very exciting," said Lustgarten-Evoy.
Meeting once a month, the group started as an e-club in an attempt to make the club more accessible, but eventually transitioned into a hybrid model after most members expressed they preferred to meet in person.
"We're pushing the envelope of what a club looks like," said Lustgarten-Evoy. "The next generation wants to break the mould, and we're trying to accommodate that and evolve with the need."
Largely made up of young families, 7080 currently has approximately 25 members, of which Lustgarten-Evoy called an accomplishment, considering only two have been in a service club.
"Seventy five per cent of our members are probably under 50, and I would say that's a really big deal," said Lustgarten-Evoy. "That's not to say that we don't celebrate the wisdom of our senior service club members; it's just really important that we teach the next generation what living in service and volunteerism means."
One of these members, co-president Lori Ferber, said that while she always wanted to get involved with the community, the monetary contribution associated with most service clubs is what put her off joining initially.
"People can't always afford to donate or give money, but we can give our time where we can," said Ferber. "I find that's just as important."
Looking to the future, Ferber said she'd love to see the group grow and expand so they can help more people in the community.
"That's what we're here for. Not just teaching and guiding the next generation, but helping them truly embrace the value of living in service," said Lustgarten-Evoy.
Residents can contact Lori at lori.ferber@century21.ca to get involved. More information is available here.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
Posted with permission by and courtesy of Eloria-Fergus Today