A Bit of Rotary International History
Rotary International
Rotary International is the association of Rotary Clubs worldwide. The administration of RI is managed by officers, directors and committees from throughout the world. Yearly, RI holds a convention in various countries to stimulate, inspire and inform all Rotarians at an international level, to motivate them to develop Rotary at the Club and District levels.
Districts
There are over 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary International groups clubs into districts to make local administration easier. There are over 500 districts throughout the world, with a range of between 45-60 clubs each. Each district is led by a Governor, who is assisted by other officers. The annual District Conference emphasizes fellowship and a chance to share ideas, as well as a place to conduct District business.
Zones
There are roughly 535 Districts in the Rotary world, which are further organized into Zones. The Zones generally have around 18 Districts and there are 34 Zones. We are part of Zone 28/32. RI Zones 28 & 32 are a community of Rotarians spanning two languages, four countries and eight time zones and include Bermuda, Canada, France and the United States.
Our Zone 32 encompasses 28 districts with 1,164 clubs and 32,783 members. Zone 28 encompasses 21 districts with 1,055 clubs and 33,883 members.
Our District 7890 has 56 clubs with 1,647 members from northern Connecticut and western Massachusetts.
District 7980 has 57 clubs with 1,852 members and covers the four southern counties of Southern Connecticut.
So, although we are officially part of Zone 32, you’ve probably noticed many of our events are sometimes combined in a working relationship with Zone 28 because that’s the way RI has grouped us structurally.
PART 2
Anatomy of a District and Opportunities Open to Any Rotarian
District Governor:
The District Governor is the official representative of Rotary International for our region, and in essence the chief administrative officer of the Rotary district. The DG’s mission is to lead clubs, inspire Rotary members, and engage the general public in the important role fulfilled by Rotary in our community. He or she must have proven strong leadership skills and decision making because during the year in office. Clubs will look to the DG for leadership, support, and motivation as they carry out service projects and participate in Rotary programs.
Primary goals include:
- strengthening clubs, organizing new clubs and growing membership
- encouraging contributions and other support for The Rotary Foundation
- Promoting positive public image and serving as spokesperson for district
- Prepare budget, provide annual report, and help administer District Designated Funds
- Develop a safe environment for youth participants
- Working closely with the District Team members
District Governors serve for one Rotary year, July 1st to June 30th. Governors are elected by the District clubs two to three years before taking office, generally referred to as the District Track, which consists of the DG, the District Governor-Elect and the District Governor Nominee. As you know, Joanne Alfieri of the Southington Club serves as our current DG; Randy Chapell of the Salisbury Club is the District Governor-Elect and will assume office on July 1 and Christine Burns of the Holyoke Club is District-Governor Nominee taking on the top spot for 2023-24.
Anyone who has been a Rotarian for at least 7 years, served as a club president during that time and is a Rotarian in good standing can seek to be a DG. The club would first notify the District’s Nominating Committee of the member’s interest, obtain an application which is then reviewed. The District Nominating Committee, currently chaired by Dick Borden of the Manchester Club, conducts a fair and open selection process and interviews all candidates before making a selection for the most qualified Rotarian to serve as district governor. This year, during the business meeting portion at the District Conference, Rotarians in attendance will vote to approve the District Governor Nominee Designee who was selected by the Committee – Vin Marinaro of the Pittsfield Club who will take office on July 1, 2024. Sometimes, this election process is done at the District Assembly. Each member of the DG Track has duties to fulfill as they await the year they assume the top position. This includes taking courses in the Learning Center on "My Rotary". While DGs serve a one-year term, it’s also possible to join the District Track at a later date. I believe it’s happened once in our District and it was Heather’s uncle, Frank Wargo, who served as a DG two times.
Assistant Governor:
If you are not interested in the top spot, there are a number of other opportunities you can volunteer for to be involved in the District organization:
District 7890 appoints assistant governors like Heather or me to serve for three-year terms. The District has designated 10 areas, each with up to six Rotary clubs within that area. Assistant governors, or AGs for short, act as the connection between each club within that area and the district. The goal is to build relationships with club leaders to make Rotary stronger. I’m assigned to Area 9 which includes Hartford, West Hartford, Farmington, Newington, Wethersfield-Rocky Hill and of course, the favorite - Avon-Canton. Heather is assigned Area 8 which includes Litchfield-Morris, New Milford, Salisbury, Torrington, Washington and Watertown.
As AGs:
- We try to visit our clubs regularly, meeting with each at least once a quarter either in person, by phone, or by web conference. We discuss club concerns and needs, and provide information, resources, and advice that will allow clubs to be more successful.
- Our job is to keep the DG up to date on each club’s progress and identify areas that may need attention
- We help club leaders prepare for the governor’s official visit
- And we monitor the progress of our clubs toward meeting their goals as found in Rotary Club Central to insure they are on track in achieving the goals in areas such as membership, service initiatives, and giving to The Rotary Foundation. Meeting these goals can help the club win a club citation for that Rotary year.
- AGs also attend the district team training seminars and participate in the presidents-elect training seminars
At the moment we are seeking two AG positions, in Area 1 and Area 5. Area 1 was held by Vin Marinaro who I mentioned will soon be part of the DG Tract and the other is Jennifer Gruszak of the Westfield Club whose primary role as the District’s Executive Secretary and a slew of other duties she takes on leaves her little time for the AG role. If you are interested, let us know.
District Executives:
Other than the District Track, there are District Executives that maintain day to day operations. They include a treasurer, currently April Beston of the Ludlow club, the Executive Secretary which I already mentioned, a District Governor’s Aide, currently it’s Mary Etter of the Bristol Club and then a Recording Secretary, responsible for taking required minutes at various District meetings. That role is available now; Heather held it until she chose to relinquish it and accept the AG position. If you are interested, let us know.
District Committees:
Successful district committees rely on the leadership qualities that many of our club members have. If you are interested in a particular committee, contact the DG. The DG is always looking for new folks to step up. When appointed to a committee, know that the DG has recognized that your skills, experience, and enthusiasm will help drive initiatives and support club and district activities and functions. All committees collaborate with governors before and during their terms to establish district goals and check on their progress towards achieving them.
Below are the required and optional district committees that address ongoing functions and activities. Districts also have the flexibility to adjust their committee structure to make it work for their needs.
Required Club Committees:
By attracting new members and keeping existing members, we strengthen the clubs of tomorrow. Committee members work together as they identify prospective members, introduce them to Rotary, and involve all members in meaningful ways. You would also assign any prospective, referred, or relocating members who are hoping to join a club using what is known as the Manage Membership Leads page on My Rotary. The committee also assists in organizing, establishing, and supporting new and different types of clubs, where Rotary is currently not present, as well as in areas where Rotary is already active.
Public Image
Effective public image strategies can help communities understand what Rotary does and how we’re making a difference. This committee promotes Rotary to the public and fosters understanding, appreciation, and support for our programs. In particular, you contact the media with stories of projects and events in the district, and share these stories through social media. You promote the End Polio Now campaign, our areas of focus, grant successes, and alumni activities. Committee members will encourage clubs to make public relations outreach a priority.
As part of this committee, you educate clubs about the Foundation and inspire them to support its programs and fundraising activities. Your responsibilities also include authorizing the use of DDF for grants and qualifying the clubs in your district to apply for global grants. There are subcommittees for fundraising, grants, PolioPlus, Rotary peace fellowships, and stewardship.
Finance
Maintaining transparent financing and good stewardship makes sure that clubs remain in proper financial standing with RI and the district. This committee supervises district funds and ensures that proper income and expense records are kept.
This committee oversees the district’s training plan and supports the district governor and governor-elect. Members help plan training events, including the logistics, program, speakers, training leaders, and evaluations.
RYLA – Rotary Youth Leadership Award
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, commonly known as RYLA, is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where young people can develop leadership skills while having fun and making connections. Committee members work together to plan events for sophomore-aged students who’ve been selected to represent individual Rotary clubs.
Rotary Youth Exchange
While Covid didn’t allow youth exchanges to take place for the past two years, it’s back! Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. The primary goal is providing young people with opportunities to experience a cultural exchange and to develop as leaders who promote peace and justice around the world. Our DG Alfieri is currently looking for someone to serve as Chair for this committee to replace Dave Soler of the Bristol Club who’s leaving.
The Alumni Committee seeks out people who have participated in programs such as Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary Scholarships, and Rotary Peace Fellowships to identify these alumni and their potential contributions (for example, as speakers, project participants, Rotary members, Foundation and program contributors, etc.)
We have a Community Service Committee, one dealing with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and others. Visit the District 7890 web site and look under the District Officers and Directors section for a more complete list of committees and the current chairperson.
Rotary Discussion Groups
Eco Friendly Ideas and Innovations – 251 members
Podcasting – 581 members
Rotary and Mental Health – 381 members
Teachers of the world – 107 members
Women In Rotary – 1,586 members
DEI - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – 76 members
Membership Best Practices – 5,424 members
Rotary E-Clubs – 72 members
ROTARACT World – 2,211 members
Rotary Musicians – 143 members
Running Rotarians – 90 members
Club Secretaries - 2,296 members
Scouting Rotarians – 41 members
End Polio Now – 1,000 members
Interact Chairs – 227 members
Nurses in Rotary – 43 members
Rotarian Entrepreneurs 949 members
Rotarian Lawyers Fellowship – 444 members
Using Social Media in Rotary Clubs -2,964 members
Rotary Action Groups:
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