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| Credit: Hawke’s Bay Tourism. |
District 9930 Rotary
Health Challenge 2015-2016
A Rotary imperative is for clubs to engage Rotarians in
projects that meet a real need in the community. A willing volunteer is
only going to be as productive as their body and mind allow them to be.
District 9930 Governor Mike Smith has challenged his clubs
to take part in a health-related project during the 2015-2016 Rotary year that
addresses both of these ideals, and more, in a way that adds a sense of purpose
among Rotarians and an increased vibrancy to club activities.
Clubs have been encouraged to develop and implement a
Healthy Rotary Plan that includes improving the health of Rotarians, educating
Rotarians about health topics and supporting health-related community
activities and projects.
Working together with mutual support towards a common goal
is much more interesting than going it alone, so this challenge is likely to be
motivating for those for whom improving their health is on their “to do” list
for some day.
Starting with the baseline measurement of each member’s
health and regular measurements to monitor progress, a steady improvement to
health will be achieved through the development of a club Rotary Health
Challenge plan that implements activities within and by the clubs to support
active, healthy and nutritious decisions and lifestyles. As members tend
to be more comfortable with the familiar and therefore more willing to participate,
such a plan can easily leverage off activities already the norm in the club,
such as health and wellbeing-related speakers once a month, possibly coupled
with a review of catering to ensure meals are nutritious and support good
health. These would be excellent monthly meetings to invite guests or open them
to the public. Exercise is a must do part of any health programme, so
doing something entirely different, such as holding a walking club meeting
would get the blood pumping, as would including active options in the social
programme, such as cycling, tramping, learning yoga or even a healthy cooking
class.
Extending such a programme into fundraising and/or community
activities is easy. There is the annual swimarathon for polio, or create
a sponsored walk or run, or simply volunteer members to support active events
in the community in roles, such as marshalls. There may be a need in the
community for facilities that support healthy lifestyles, such as playgrounds,
cycle pathways and skateboard parks … the options are only limited by
imagination.
The success of this programme will become apparent in June
2016 when clubs’ results submitted for the Rotary Health Challenge Award are
evaluated. Imagine the healthier and more committed Rotarians and a
community much more aware that Rotary can make a lasting difference to the
wellbeing of its citizens. It will be great public image for Rotary which
should grow membership. And everyone will be the better for it!
