Small Rotary clubs can still have a big impact through focused projects and partnerships. Examples highlighted successful small clubs in Districts 7030 and 7020 that completed large-scale water, sanitation, and wheelchair distribution projects through creative fundraising and grant funding. A Rotary club in Trinidad with only 16 members distributed over 3,500 wheelchairs to multiple countries. Another small club in Trinidad operates a homework center serving over 175 children through funding from corporate sponsors. These stories illustrate how small clubs can execute meaningful projects in their communities through innovative planning and efficient use of resources.

1. Small, But Mighty
Roger Bose – DG, District 7030
Haresh L. Ramchandani – DG, District 7020

2. Rotary All Stars
2016-2017

3. Is your club small?

4. Is your Club facing challenges?
Do you have fewer than 30 members?
Do the members feel they are
overworked?
Have you tried many things but they
aren’t working?
Have you thought about merging?

5. We have nearly 50% of the clubs in our
Districts that are considered “SMALL”

6. Professional networking/
THE PRIMARY REASONS PEOPLE JOIN ROTARY…
Why did you initially join Rotary?
To positively impact my community
Friendship and fellowship
30%
business developmentopportunities
To have a positive impact globally 20%
Potential for personal/
professional recognition
Developmentand 10%
training opportunities
0%

7. …ARE THE SAME REASONS THEY STAY ROTARIANS
Why do you stay with Rotary?
To positively impact my community
Friendship and fellowship
30%
Professionalnetworking/
business developmentopportunities
To have a positive impact globally 20%
Potential for personal/
professional recognition
Development and 10%
training opportunities
0%

9. AT THE WEEKLY MEETING
Great Fellowship
Great Speakers
Networking
Personal Development
Professional Development
Giving Back, making a difference

10. Do you enjoy your club?
Boring
Personality Profiles
Different Generations
Difference of opinions
Joined for THEIR reasons, not yours
Feel Neglected/Unwanted
Communication was lacking

11. RC ST MARTIN SUNRISE
Small but mighty
Focused on the New Generations
Interact & Rotaract
Focused on Partnerships

12. Our largest project to date is the
Water and Sanitation valued
at $7 Million JMD.
We reconstructed restrooms area
and supplied water tanks.
10 Schools and a Children Home in
the rural area of St. James benefited
from this project
We are a small group of 15 members that
thrive on community service

13. Another project is our Mental Health
Awareness, the aim is to remove the
stigma associated with it.
To date we have done a mental health fair,
TV ads and social media campaigns to
highlight the issue.
We have reached the masses with our
intuitive and have seen more people going
to professionals for help.

14. We started a campaign on
Violence Against Women
on Social Media to bring
awareness and to educate
the populous about this
social issue.

15. How do we get mighty even though
we’re small?

16. Flexibility
Meeting Purpose
Meeting Frequency
Flexible Attendance
Types of Membership
Types of Clubs
Meeting Format

17. Small Clubs creating
Big & Impactful
Projects

18. DISTRICT 7030

19. Rotary Club of Aruba
Population – 103,889

20. Fundraiser
Flea Market & Lottery (1st prize – car), 37
years running
Fiesta Rotaria

21. Original committee consisted of 3 Rotarians
Grossed US$10,000 in its first year
Generated over US$3,000,000 total
Fiesta Rotaria

22. Fiesta Rotaria

23. Earned US$275,000 this year
ONLY
Fiesta Rotaria

24. Service project – Central Trinidad
Rotary Club of Felicity/Charlieville

25. Wheelchair Distribution
Rotary Club of Felicity/Charlieville

26. 3500 Wheelchairs distributed to Trinidad, Antigua, St.
Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana & Columbia (outside
our district)
100% funded by Grants
10 years running
16 Club members
Wheelchair Distribution Project

27. Service Project – South Trinidad
Rotary Club of San Fernando

28. Rotary Club of San Fernando
Mayaro Homework Centre

29. Rotary Club of San Fernando
Hours of Operation: 3:15pm to 5:00pm.
Assistance provided:
Completion of homework.
Remediation in Numeracy and Literacy.
Transportation provided :
From School to Centre.
From Centre to Home.
Light refreshments served daily.
Prepared by parents.
Field Trips held each term.
Parents allowed to accompany students.

30. Rotary Club of San Fernando
Completion of Homework.
Remediation (Numeracy & Literacy).
I.C.T. (Development of skills using iPads).
Development of Social Skills (Manners, Etiquette &
Positive Behaviours).
Extra-curricular Activities (Ball games, Aerobics, Track &
Field, Board-games).

31. Rotary Club of San Fernando
 Improvement in students’ Literacy and Numeracy
Skills.
 Development of a firmer foundation for enhancement
of other subject areas.
 Improvement in behaviour and discipline.
 Development of more ‘well-rounded’ students through
wider range of exposures & experiences.
Impact on Students

32. Rotary Club of San Fernando
 Parents’ knowledge about the learning process is
enhanced through meetings & workshops.
 Parents are advised on how to better assist their
children in achieving their goals.
 Development of greater cohesion among parents,
students, community groups and other stakeholders.
Impact on Community

33. Rotary Club of San Fernando
 21 Club members
 US$150,000 budgeted per year
 100% funded by corporate sponsors
 175 children served and counting

34. Summary
 These are just some of the projects that highlight the
huge impact Small clubs can have on our communities.
 With innovative thinking and efficient planning Big
project execution can be done with just a few
members.

35. Let’s hear from you. What
is your success or
challenge?

36. This presentation and others
from throughout the convention
are available through the
convention mobile app and on
SlideShare at
www.SlideShare.net/Rotary_International.

37. Rate this session in the
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