Despite being the base on which Rotary was built back in 1905, Vocational Service has really lagged behind considerably at Club and District level. Somehow it just doesn't have the same sexiness as International Service for example. So, how does your Glenferrie Vocational Service Committee plan to do to make this Avenue of Service relevant and of interests to our Club Members?
From what I gather from the little information available so far at District level:
- Develop community leaders by creating leadership opportunities within Rotary - bearing in mind that Rotary back in 1905 was based on one's vocation and we still refer to a member's classification.
- Encourage club members to see where their vocational can be used within Rotary (in the form of mentoring) or using their skills and knowledge to improve Rotary overall.
- We have been introduced to MentorMatch a new District pilot programme. Those who attended last week's meeting would have heard a little about this programme. At this stage District has made no
definite definition of club involvement. However, our President Teresa is keen to be involved and we will be monitoring this matter with those involved at District level. As mentioned by Don Heath at our Forum meeting, this project can be shared by the Youth Committee and Vocational Service. - Public Speaking for High School Students - again this is something being considered in conjunction with Youth Services. This programme has been very successful across District 9800.
In the past, Glenferrie members have been part of vocational visits such as Swinburne's Astronomy faculty and a Monash laboratory. We had a visit from a immunologist from the Walter and Eliza (WEHI) and your Vocational Committee will be investigating the possibility of a special evening visit to this amazing facility.
At our Forum, I asked for ideas and also for members to join the Vocational committee. Thank you Amelia Anderson for accepting the invitation to work with Youth on establishing MentorMatch. And thank you to Joanne Shentu, Weranja Ranasinghe, Gary Stoneham and Don Moore for accepting to be on the committee. I am asking our committee members for ideas and also the club members. There is a lot of personal and professional experience Glenferrie Rotary which is growing all the time.
So often we hear somebody say "why don't we?". Well, should that be "why don't I?".