DG Partner Project 2013-14

UPDATE

THE CHALLENGE

*Do all members of your club hear well?    *Do the people in your local community or your international community projects hear well?    *Does it matter?    *Why bother about it?

What power do Rotarians have to make a difference?

As a DG Partner and a Rotarian I want to use my vocation/business/profession to support Rotarians and help to make a difference in District 9685 and Rotary International.

Through the existing Rotary structure I encourage every Rotarian, Club and the wider community to participate in Hearing Health at all levels and through all Avenues of Service.

 I encourage all clubs to make a difference in people’s lives because:

• Hearing is a major factor our lives and enables easy communication with each other
• Effective support services are critical for all communities around the world to enable people to function well, for their general well being and inclusion
• Hearing ability is affected by our general health and our toxic noisy environment

Let’s ensure Hearing Health is for all in District 9685.

Club Admin/Club Service: In your club check that everyone, members and guests, hear well at meetings and at social events. If people cannot hear comfortably they miss out on essential messages, social interaction, and the full story. They struggle - both to participate in the meeting and to hear the guest speaker.  If participation gets too hard members get disheartened and disengaged and eventually leave the club.

Use suitable amplification and reduce distractions (aircons, clinking dishes etc) at meetings. This is critical to ensuring happy members who participate in all aspects of Rotary Service including being able to hear guest speakers, at board meetings, at social events and when working on projects.

Consider whole families. What impact is one person’s hearing loss having on the lives of the others? Show the Powerpoint presentation:  “Using a Microphone” (available from Lyn Davies). Work with your Board and the Avenues of Service teams to invite guest speakers who have expertise in any one of the many aspects of hearing health. Contact: District Administration Director Brian Plain

The Rotary Foundation:  Use Future Vision (our “Rotary Bank”) to fund both local (yes, now local too) and international projects and work with other clubs to do this through the District 9685 Foundation Director PDG Tony Castley.

Public Relations:  Promote with your Board, the projects planned in your club and zone on Hearing Health. Engage the D9685 PR Director Bryan O’Shannassy to help with promotions.

Membership: Use Hearing Health strategies with your clubs members, directors and chairs and with your District network of Directors and Membership officers to locate new professional and community Rotary members and friends. Engage with D9685 Membership Director Mark Anderson.