…As Club Holds Seminar Dinner For Members
By Ephraim EKPO
Leadership development, global connection, ceaseless relationship, public speaking mentorship and fun-filled lifestyle have been identified as the major gains of being a Rotarian.
Rotarian John Emeka Ndobi highlighted these while speaking on Developing and Sustaining Membership in a Challenging Economy at the Rotary Club of Shelter Afrique, Uyo, yesterday.
Ndobi who served as the Guest Speaker on Membership Development and Seminar Dinner of the Club, enumerated that poor leadership, inadequate orientation of inducted members, low attention to members welfare, poor communication, clique and cabal among members are the major reasons why few Rotarians tend to ignore the activities of rotary club.
The rotary general added that despite these challenges faced by the club, achievements have been recorded for decades. He suggested that the achievements of members should be recognized and be celebrated among members of rotary, while a committee should be set up to review the hectic challenges of members with workable solutions as means of showing concern for each member.
He stressed the need for impactful programmes for the host communities and to publicize all the programmes carried out by the club in different media to create awareness.
He called on members to leave a life worthy of emulation as they are representing the rotary club in their communities, noting that bad behavior of a member can be generalized, which may affect the public image of the club.
Ndobi however, advised members to tell people who are interested to join the club the truth about Rotary Club to avoid disappointment after being inducted into the club and encourage professionals cluster among members of the club.
Speaking on the topic, “Women in Rotary, Challenges and Prospect,” Rotarian Eka Etuk regretted that despite the amendment of 1989 constitution that allow women to join rotary, the current situation does not reflect gender balance.
“The current situation does not reflect gender balance. Women are the majority in the world, but they lack behind in the membership of rotary”.
On her reasons why women are few in rotary club, Rotarian Etuk listed the challenges to include: insufficient financial resources for dues, restriction of movement of female children by family members and religion that places limitations on female education.
Other of her reasons were: public image conception of rotary as a cult group, venue and time of meetings as well as behavior of female Rotarians.
She charged female Rotarians to always be of good conduct and appealed for female consideration in scheduling venue and time of meetings.
Earlier, The Rotarian President of shelter Afrique, Rotarian Mercy Edet acknowledged the efforts of every Rotarian and appreciated Rotarian John Ndobi and Rotarian Eka Etuk for their wonderful presentation.
The seminar Dinner featured sharing of wonderful experiences enjoyed as Rotarians and recognition of members who have made sterling remarks in the Rotary Club.
