President Drew Markham began the discussion by highlighting a few points:
- He started by stating this would be an important discussion as to the future of our Club
- He was hopeful that the meeting would yield a feeling of impressiveness, much like as a Club we handled the discussion of whether Rotary Grace was inclusive
- As in that circumstance, he believed that we were able to share our viewpoints in a very respectful way and everyone had the opportunity to share their viewpoints
A motion was brought forth by Kim O'Grady and seconded by AG Brandy Van Gelder "That the Rotary Club of Huntsville pursue the formation of a satellite club."
Prior to opening the floor to discussion, he clarified the following;
- A satellite club would be part of the Rotary Club of Huntsville - all would be members and pay dues to the same club
- There would be the opportunity for satellite members to participate in committees and events of the sponsor club, and vice versa
- Hence, they are technically not separate entities, other in the language used to describe them
- The primary purpose of the satellite club would be to allow for an alternate meeting schedule and format to attract members who are challenged to come to 3 times per month lunch meetings
Drew also stated that there has been challenges in the past between tradition and change for the future. Recognizing that the Coffee Talks brought forth a number of positives for our club including continued improvements to communication including The Echo, an increase in information available from Board meetings as well as more effective Club Assemblies to name a few. However, up until now, there has not been a substantial solution put forth within the club to increase the flexibility within the club. Relaxing attendance has translated into what some perceive as a reduction in engagement. He indicated that he also had the opportunity to speak to a number of individuals whose values align well with Rotary but would not join under the current format. Additionally, there is an opportunity for a number of past Rotarians to come back to Rotary for the same reasons.
All of these are primary objectives of Rotary International as they recognize that membership is declining in North America. There is widespread District leadership support for this proposal as well. If this is approved, there will be details that would need to be sorted out and until a group is officially formed, will then be able to determine for themselves what specifics within Rotary they would like to embrace first.
An email will be sent out, voting will take place beginning on October 20 until October 22 at 5:00 pm. It is important to note that a "YES" vote indicates that you are voting FOR the motion of a Satellite Club be supported. A NO vote means you are voting against the motion.
** Kindly review the emails sent out by President Drew Markham for additional information on the e-vote and the process which would occur. These emails were dated and sent to all member's inbox's on October 2nd and October 10th.
"What is being proposed by Past Presidents Kim O’Grady and Jennifer Jerrett is a satellite club. Please review the attached files from Rotary International about the general intent and process involved in the formation of a satellite club. There is a document on the District 7010 website as well, however, it is somewhat outdated and has not been included. Also be aware that no two satellite clubs are alike – we have an opportunity (if approved) to shape the relationship between the sponsor club and the satellite club in a mutually beneficial way that may look different than the satellite clubs in Barrie or Peterborough.
In short, it is an extension of the sponsor club (in this case the RC of Huntsville) that would meet at a different time and location. At this point in time, there have been expressions of interest by 12-15 people. Of that group, about one third are former Rotarians who are looking to come back to Rotary, another third are people that have never been Rotarians, and the final third are current members who have been considering resigning (for various reasons).
While there is plenty of discussion, planning, and maybe even some debate to occur, please keep in mind that the primary aim of this proposal is to grow Rotary in Huntsville, and to increase our impact both locally and abroad" - Drew Markham (email dated October 02, 2019)
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Past President Kim O'Grady
Drew asked Kim to provide reasons as to why she brought forward the motion for a Satellite Club (SC). She addressed the club and cited that in her years as a Rotarian and especially as our Past President for 2 consecutive years she was able to devote a great deal of time to our Club by participating in numerous committees and attending the weekly luncheons. In the past year however, things have changed for her. Opening a new office has made her life and career busier and she finds there are more demands placed on her. She has been struggling to make it to the lunches and act on the Membership Committee which has led to feeling of guilt. Lately she is struggling and has felt disengaged. Acknowledging her level of commitment, she does not want to leave Rotary. The idea of a SC came up with past member Jennifer Jarrett as she was passing by Kim's office one day. She felt the need to look into this as an option with the idea of growing Rotary first and formost.
President Drew Markham brought up the findings of Coffee Talks which were;
-We need to grow
-We have seen our membership declining and it is on a downward trend with others ready to leave
-It is not due to a lack of commitment, more the feeling of "if I'm not at meetings, I'm not participating as much as I can or could."
-A SC would be a branch or extension of the sponsor club (ie. The Rotary Club of Huntsville) - and this could be an opportunity for this to happen
Drew then opened the floor to questions and a discussion followed. ** For the purposes of this communication, I have used a Question, Comment and Answer (Q, C &A) format with the main topics covered
Q - There has been a number of people who have left in the past 3-4 months and I wonder why? I need to know that reason before I can make a judgement. The RC of H is a service club first, social club second. I am not in favour of the reverse. I wouldn't do this myself, concerns were addressed through Coffee Talks
A - not a single answer..having a SC would look different but strengthened relationships can help in us understanding each other and serving together. SC's are fully supported by Rotary International as a way to grow Rotary. Following up with individuals who have left, for many it is the format.
Q - What will the meeting structure look like?
A- What is being looked at is 2 meetings a month in rotating locations
Q - Fellowship is an important part of why I am a Rotarian, I would not be here if I didn't have that and I wouldn't be as committed to service without the friendships I have formed. The intent of a SC is it helps to extend reach, provides new manpower and renewed energy, defined what a SC is and what it is not.
A - Fellowship is 1 of the 5 Rotary values
Q - If a SC is formed, can you go to both meetings? I can relate to Kim also, I struggle at times to make it to the lunch meetings and feel guilty. Drew asked " Would Rotary be better without me?" and I said No.
A - Yes you would be able to attend the sponsor club meetings or the satellite meetings or both, your choice
Q - If someone wants to join Rotary, will they be given the option of the RC of H or the SC?
A - Yes, a prospective member would be given the choice of which format best suited them. All prospective members would continue to be vetted through the RC of H as it currently is, including fireside chats and induction.
Q - Why are we going in this direction? Huntsville does not need this, we already have Roterac/Morning Club. From all I have read about SC's they are in communities with much bigger populations, Huntsville has approximately 22000 people. We have only implemented 3-4 solutions from the results of the Coffee Talks. This is about people leaving because there isn't harmony in our club. People haven't respected each other. We have more people than jobs, some have nothing to do yet it is not a one way street. We could utilize "friends in Rotary" to accomplish more projects. We do not have enough projects to do. We could also use the material from Rotary International to make our club better. We have 2 Clubs in Huntsville, we don't need 3.
A - To clarify, this would not be a 3rd club, it would be an extension of the RC of H
Q - We need to integrate our demographics by sitting with different people and there needs to be a greater focus on mingling at meetings; ie. asking someone to join you at a table
A - As an anology, Drew indicated he attended a Roterac Club evening meeting recently, and it was enjoyable and they have a number of items they are working on but it would not be a club that he would join due to the fact that they are in an entirely different age demographic and at a different stage of life than him.
Q - Hearing about what isn't working with our current club, what is the real reason for this SC? I can see the alternating 2 + 2 weeks if it were to go forward. We had engagement over attendance, and we bought into this. If it has to be another 'time" to draw people in then it is about the meeting time which can be changed and this is solvable. And if we are looking at being integrated for fundraising and the like, then what are you running from?
A - Indicated that the main reason was the format of the lunch meetings, but it isn't the only reason. There are some bad feelings, disharmony and water under the bridge. There are approximately 12-15 people who have left, are thinking of leaving or who won't join. If there is another solution, it has not been presented to date.
C - (A SC would be) diluting the community. Really, we are Rotary. Fundraising - I don't know what the SC would be planning but there needs to be integration. There is choice now, there is a morning club from 7-8am
C - When Dinner Meetings were proposed there was pushback and it has been a good thing, I am able to see partners and spouses and children of our families - there is always going to be disagreements. I strongly support the idea of a SC to attract like minded people doing the good works of Rotary. It gives people the choice in what fits for them. Ultimately, this is about Rotary
C - There is a generational change happening in Rotary, if we look around the room, we can see the demographic. We all need eachother, young/old men/women. I am able to support anything that helps this to happen
C - I have been involved in change with Rotary, I was the first woman in my previous club in Grimsby and there were many men that were not happy about it. We need to take the gamble, the leap of faith. Change does not mean destruction
C - RC of H has been in existence for 85 years and I have been a Rotarian with this club for 1/2 of its existence. If the SC is integrated, I think it would be a way of not making the meeting time. Rotary needs to grow, if its about the culture, we have difficulty in changing the culture.
A - This is about forging a new path
Q - How would communication work between the sponsor club and the SC
A - There would be a Chair of the satellite club who would report to the Chair of the RC of H
Drew closed by saying that every Board member had a meeting to discuss this motion last week and will meet again next week. He encouraged those attending at the District Conference to reach out to Lise Dutrisac who is fully supporting this idea and she is open to questions from the members of our club. Voting will begin via email on Sunday October 20 - Tuesday October 22 at 5 pm. An email will be sent out and Drew will announce the result at next week's meeting.