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Greetings from
Evanston, and thank you for subscribing to the Global
Networking Groups Update.
The first
edition of this e-newsletter provides an overview of Global
Networking Groups, the latest program news, and a glimpse at what
lies in store for the new year. It also offers the first of many
ideas on supporting and promoting the unique opportunities that
these groups provide for Rotarians interested in developing
international friendships and partnerships in service.
What are
Global Networking Groups?
Those of you who signed up to receive the
“Rotary Fellowships Update” may be asking yourselves why
you are receiving a newsletter about “Global Networking Groups.”
For almost 80 years, Rotarians sharing common recreational
interests or vocations have joined together to form Rotary
Fellowships. By the end of 2005, there were more than 90 active
fellowships, covering a remarkably broad spectrum of interests,
from flying, scuba diving, and wine appreciation to nursing and
law enforcement. In addition, a new generation of groups dedicated
to service activities, such as volunteer dentistry and the fight
against AIDS, had joined their ranks.
The RI Board
decided to create a new group category to accommodate those
fellowship groups with a service or project focus. These groups
are now referred to as Rotarian Action Groups, and both Rotary
Fellowships and Rotarian Action Groups exist under an umbrella
entity called Global Networking Groups. This name emphasizes the
underlying commonalities between all Rotary Fellowships and
Rotarian Action Groups: they are international groups of
Rotarians networking to pursue a common interest.
New
additions to Global Networking Groups
Since
this structural change was implemented, five Rotary Fellowships
have made the necessary changes to become Rotarian Action Groups:
Rotarians for
Fighting AIDS: A Rotarian Action Group
Rotarian Action
Group of Dental Volunteers
Rotarians for
Hearing Regeneration: A Rotarian Action Group
Rotarian Action
Group for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
Rotarian Action
Group for Population & Development
In addition, a new group — Rotarians
Eliminating Malaria: A Rotarian Action Group — was recognized by
the RI Board in November 2005, along with a new Rotary Fellowship,
the International Fellowship of Shooting Sports Rotarians.
To date, there
are 94 active Global Networking Groups: 88 Rotary Fellowships and
six Rotarian Action Groups. View the
comprehensive list of Global Networking Groups.
Inactive
Global Networking Groups
Two
groups are currently inactive: the Arts and Communication
Vocational Fellowship and the Rotarians International Fellowship
of Ballroom Dancing. If you’re interested in helping revitalize
either of these groups, please contact the
Global Networking Groups program coordinator.
What
do Global Networking Groups do for Rotary?
Whether or
not you’re a member of a Global Networking Group, promoting
awareness of Global Networking Groups in your club or district has
benefits for the entire Rotary world:
·
Because membership in
Rotary Fellowships and Rotarian Action Groups is limited to
Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses, and Rotaractors, participation can
serve as an incentive for membership retention.
·
Clubs may find
qualified candidates for membership among non-Rotarians interested
in a particular fellowship or service activity.
·
Rotarians have an
additional opportunity to forge new friendships and partnerships.
Ways
to promote involvement in Global Networking Groups
1)
Distribute the
Global Networking Groups Interest Coupon to Rotarians in your
club or district. Rotarians can fill out this one-page leaflet and
mail it to RI World Headquarters to indicate their interest in
receiving information from one or more groups. This is an easy and
effective way to show Rotarians the variety of interests and
activities covered by Global Networking Groups.
2)
Encourage fellow Rotarians attending the RI Convention to
visit the Global Networking Groups booths in the House of
Friendship.
3)
Invite your district Rotary Fellowships chair or a local
Global Networking Group officer in your area to talk about Global
Networking Groups at a club or district event.
Share your
stories with us!
If
you’re a member of a Rotary Fellowship or Rotarian Action Group
and would like to share a successful activity or event that your
group has held, contact the
Global Networking Groups program coordinator. Your stories and
electronic photos may be featured in an upcoming edition of the
Global Networking Groups Update, at www.rotary.org, or in one
of RI’s other publications.
If your group
would like to promote an upcoming event, visit the
Upcoming Events page at www.rotary.org to find out how to add
your event to this public listing.
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