The first virtual District Membership Forum was held successfully in the afternoon of 22nd Aug 2020. In total, 315 Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends from Toastmasters and JCI signed in and attended the forum.

Breakout sessions on 6 interesting topics were organised. For each topic, a Cantonese session and an English session were conducted in two different time slots. Taken together, each breakout topic engaged 80-150 attendees.

Prior to the breakout sessions, a plenary session was broadcast on youtube including speeches from RI President Holger, DG Eric, PP Amy Leung (Chair of the Forum), PDG Kenneth & HW (Co-chair of the District Membership Committee), and a Performance Coach, Cara Steenstra.

Pictures and key messages of the breakout sessions are attached. If you are interested in watching the breakout sessions which you did not have the chance of attending, you can access them by the QR code below.

Attendees of the breakout sessions (i.e. those who signed in to attend one or more of the breakout sessions on 22nd Aug 2020) will be informed of when and where to collect their back-pack souvenirs.

Breakout session on “How to grow membership organically”

Convened by DGE Keith, with PP Sunny Chen, Kelvin Mui, Michael Chan and Munkhajargal Ayurzana as panelists, the session discussed various possible ways of achieving organic growth of membership in clubs. The meeting noted that some best means to retain and attract members include organizing meetings with prominent speakers, impactful service projects, club strengthening experience sharing and interesting fellowship activities, which will help engage members and bring about organic growth in membership.

Breakout session on “Satellite Clubs – Myths and success stories”

Convened by DGN Norman Lee, with CP Joseph Leung, PP Brendon Wong and IPP Elsa Wong as the panelists, the session discussed the usefulness of digital platforms in enabling rotary activities to continue to be conducted during the challenging pandemic period. With online meetings, we can invite speakers from anywhere in the world, which will help attract potential members. It is important for club and district leaders to encourage members to learn and use the new way. Online Academy through the RI Learning Centre is able to deliver Rotary Training anytime and anywhere.

Breakout session on “Why Rotaractors become Rotarians”

The session was convened by DRC Anita Chan and DRR Alan Yip, with PP Andy Li, DDRC Gabriel Wong, DDRC Delgertsetseg Bayarsaikhan and PDRR Joyce Lau as panelists. Exploring the issue from the perspectives of both the Rotaractors and Rotarians, the meeting recommended that it would be important for Rotary clubs and their Rotaract clubs to agree on the age limit applicable to the Rotaract clubs, particularly for Rotaractors taking an important leadership role at the club or district level. The meeting also considered it important for Rotary club activity plans to take Rotaractors into consideration, and likewise for Rotaract club activity plans to take Rotarians into consideration.

Breakout session on “Embrace synergy between Rotary and Toastmasters”

The session was convened by PDG Kenneth Wong, with District Director Wilson Yau of Toastmasters International District 89 and PP Agnes Lau as panelists. Besides exchanging information on organization structures, values and key activities of Rotary and Toastmasters, the meeting also discussed opportunities of cooperation between Rotary and Toastmasters and noted the strong synergy which could result. Both sides look forward to further communication and deepening of collaboration in future.

Breakout session on “Virtual Rotary Exchange Program”

The session was convened by PDG YK Cheng, with PP Silva Yeung and PP Helen Or as the panelists. By sharing with attendees their great experience in Group Study Exchange (GSE) programs, and noting the significance of the Vocational Training Team (VTT) programs, the panelists highlighted the opportunity of developing a Virtual Rotary Exchange (VRE) program which would enable the GSE and VTT programs to be implemented even when traveling between districts is not permitted because of the pandemic. The audience was interested in knowing the latest progress in the proposed VRE program and looked forward to its further development.