While our immediate focus is people’s health and wellbeing, as Rotarians, we have a vested interest to ensure our clubs are able to also weather the storm and emerge intact. Here are some thoughts.

Club Bulletins and Editors are the new Rotary Stars

The humble club Bulletin, some would say much maligned, is about to come into its own as one of the most important Rotary club communication tools we have after picking up the phone and talking to members.

This page has ideas for clubs and no longer is the Bulletin solely up to the Bulletin Editor to find content ... we are all in this crisis together so we are all needed to help create a club Bulletin that is interesting and helps keep our club together.  Additional resources at https://www.rotaryoceania.zone/page/covid-19-(coronavirus)-information

Apia Rotary responded to the epidemic in three stages and their full report can be viewed here or click on picture.  This is a quick but very insightful read and a wonderful example of the capability of this club to respond in an appropriate and timely manner to a crisis in the community.

Total Apia Rotary Response Efforts: Cash and In-Kind $220,000 + Total Rotarian Volunteer Hours: 1,000+

If there is accessible, plentiful and drinkable water ...

If there are the facilities that enable good sanitation ...

If good hygiene practices are known and practiced ...

 

Then the community members will be fully engaged in daily life, children are able to go to school, economic development will prosper, people will gather together, and the community will thrive.  Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. The water, sanitation and hygiene projects our Rotary clubs engage in make an immense difference.  This is not an issue just in poorer communities but all communities.