Club Leadership Roles
Whether you’re new to Rotary or a long-time member looking for ways to be more active in your club or district, we have information and resources to help you achieve your goals. Rotary International's recommended Club Committee structure is available here. Clubs can add, eliminate, or combine committees or subcommittees according to their interests, activities, and number of members.
The District 9685 team of volunteers are available to support your Rotary club leaders. Find the right District volunteer team member to contact for your program query or project idea at this link.
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As president, you lead and motivate your club, ensuring that club members feel valuable, inspired, and connected to each other. In District 9685 clubs are encouraged to collaborate and support one another through the good working relationships of Presidents in Regional Community Groups.
The year of planning before you take office is crucial to achieving the objectives you set out for your club. As president-elect, you work with your assistant governor and incoming leadership team to set annual goals that support your club’s strategic plan.
For more information or support, contact District Learning & Development Chair Michelle Westlund via learning@rotarydistrict9685.
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As club secretary you help your club run smoothly and effectively. You also monitor club trends to help identify strengths and areas for improvement, and share this information with club and district leaders. The Secretary serves as the primary point of contact with the District and Rotary International, maintains club records, files, and archives, prepares documents for board meetings, and distributes agendas, notices, and updates to members.
In NSW, the club secretary must assist with dues reporting (semi-annual Rotary International invoices), submit details or changes to Fair Trading, and act as Public Officer.
For more information or support, contact District Administration Co-Chairs Lindsay May & Russell Grove via administration@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
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As club treasurer you play an important role in your club’s ability to carry out service projects, fundraise, and support The Rotary Foundation.
Correctly and efficiently running club finances is an essential part of a successful club. The Treasurer's (or Finance Director's) role is crucial in ensuring a club is governed correctly financially, meets its statutory reporting obligations, and has a well-informed and up-to-date management team.
For more information or support, contact District Treasurer Steve Thorp via treasurer@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
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Administration is a key portfolio of the Rotary Club to ensure the effective functioning of the Club, providing service to others and satisfaction and fulfilment to members, and to manage unintended outcomes caused by the routine and project activities of Rotary.
Effective functioning of the Club involves developing a structured weekly meeting program, identifying and liaising with guest speakers, managing the weekly meeting through the Sergeant at Arms and keeping members informed of these matters. It is essential to be across conflict & risk management, insurance and the development and implementation of youth protection policies.
The District Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Committee are responsible for some aspects of administration and risk. These include: member recording and reporting to Rotary International, governance and privacy risk, financial risk and internet risk. Coordination between District & Club teams is required to ensure these issues are managed effectively.
For more information or support, contact District Administration Co-Chairs Lindsay May & Russell Grove via administration@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
The District Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Committee are responsible for some aspects of administration and risk. These include: member recording and reporting to Rotary International, governance and privacy risk, financial risk and internet risk. Coordination between District & Club teams is required to ensure these issues are managed effectively.
For more information or support, contact District Administration Co-Chairs Lindsay May & Russell Grove via administration@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty. The Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotary members and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world. This support is essential to make possible projects, funded with Foundation grants, that bring sustainable improvement to communities in need.
Click here for more on The Rotary Foundation for use and reference by Rotary Clubs in District 9685.
Click here for more on The Rotary Foundation for use and reference by Rotary Clubs in District 9685.
For more information or support, contact District Foundation Chair Haran Ramachandran via foundationchair@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
Community service is one of Rotary’s Avenues of Service, encouraging Rotarians to offer service to their communities. Every Rotary club and every Rotarian assumes a responsibility to find ways to improve the quality of life for those in their communities and to serve the public interest.
The Community Service Chair of a Rotary club leads the club’s efforts to make a positive difference in the local community. Their role can vary from club to club, but typically includes:
- Identifying community needs
Listening to local organisations, councils, schools, and residents to understand where support is most valuable. [Community Needs Assessment 🔗] - Leading service projects
Planning, organising, and delivering hands-on projects and initiatives that address those needs (e.g., food drives, environmental clean-ups, youth programs, health and wellbeing initiatives). - Coordinating volunteers
Encouraging members (and sometimes family, friends, and community volunteers) to get actively involved in projects. - Working with partners
Building relationships with local charities, councils, businesses, and other community groups for a stronger impact. - Measuring impact
Keeping track of the outcomes and sharing successes with the club to inspire continued involvement. - Promoting Rotary values
Ensuring projects reflect Rotary’s mission of service above self, integrity, and community connection. - Promote & Report
- Share project stories through photos, social media, and club updates.
- Celebrate impact with members and the community.
- Report outcomes to the Board/Club and District as required.
👉 In short: the Community Service Chair is the driver of the club’s local service projects, ensuring Rotary is seen as a trusted and active partner in the community.
For more information or support, contact District Community Service Chair Mina Howard via communityservice@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
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Youth service projects take many forms around the world. Many clubs provide vocational counselling, establish youth employment programs, and run programs to engage our youth in service activities. Youth Protection is of the utmost importance to Rotary programs and projects; please ensure your Club is up to date on Youth Protection policies and procedures.
Rotarians have an opportunity to be role models and mentors for the young people of their community. As our youth grow to become adult leaders, it is hoped each will achieve that same desire and spirit to serve future generations. Explore our District's projects in the Youth & Leadership section of this site, and send our District volunteers your suggestions for new projects to scale across the Sydney area.
Rotary Club Youth projects include:
- Scholarships, bursaries and awards for school students
- Inter-school debating & public speaking competitions
- Essay & poem competitions for Primary School students
- Homeless youth programs
- Community Centres for Youth
- Youth Forums, Australian Rotary Health High School Forums on Mental Health (Years 10 & 11)
- Youth Art Shows, Drama Festivals and Showcases of Musical Talents
- Leadership training for High School Student Representative Council members
- Support for students with disabilities - wheelchairs, computers, social outings
For more information or support, contact District Youth Service Co-Chairs Bass Bhaskaran & Lucian Keegel via youthservice@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
Vocational Service is the way Rotary fosters and supports the application of the Ideal of Service to the pursuit of all vocations. Vocational Service is key to the philosophy and culture of Rotary, as highlighted in the objectives of Rotary:
- To encourage and foster high ethical standards in business and professions, to recognise the worthiness of all useful occupations, to dignify the Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
- To apply the ideal of service in personal, business and community life.
- To advance international understanding and goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of businessmen and professional men and women united in the ideal of service.
Vocational Service programs, by their nature, offer excellent opportunities for involvement with your local business community. This involvement can lead to increased awareness of what Rotary stands for, support and sponsorship of your club's other programs, and membership growth. Many Vocational Programs can be undertaken by a small group of Club members over a relatively short time frame and at low cost. Most Clubs have several Vocational activities that they support continuously, which we encourage you to continue.
District 9685 needs men and women with the capacity to influence, motivate, challenge, and lead their communities in service, ensuring that Rotary's profile as the world's premier service organisation is maintained.
For more information or support, contact District Vocational Service Chair Ruth Vumbaca via vocationalservice@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
Vocational Recognition Initiatives Key Dates
| Nominations Open | Announced | Presentation | RSVP | Contact | |
| Emergency Services Awards (RESCA) | 2 Mar - 30 Apr 2026 | 23 Jun 2026 | 1 Aug 2026 | Link | Ruth Vumbaca |
| Inspirational Women's Award (RIWA) | 4 Apr - 2 Jun 2025 | 6 Aug 2025 | 28 Sept 2025 | Link | Trish Wetton OAM |
| Police Officer of the Year | 20 Jun - 26 Aug 2026 | Sept 2026 | 6 Nov 2026 | Link | Trina Phillips |
| Vocational Excellence Awards | by 31 Oct 2026 | District Conference | District Conference | Link | Rick Van Brugge |
Rotary TAFE Links Week
TAFE NSW is Australia’s largest vocational education and training institution and offers several hundred courses to thousands of local and international students annually. There are several TAFE campuses within Rotary District 9685. Rotary TAFE Links Week aims to focus support of vocational training through:
- Vocational visits to local TAFE Colleges.
- Recognition of TAFE students through Outstanding Student Awards, Apprentice & Trainee Awards.
- Recognition of TAFE teachers and admin staff through Pride of Workmanship Awards, or other club vocational service awards.
- Support TAFE teams entering the WorldSkills competitions by using Rotary contacts and networks for industry sponsorship or volunteering at WSA National competitions.
Rotary Clubs are encouraged to work with TAFE staff to identify and sponsor suitable 18-30 year olds to participate in RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) to develop leadership skills, and partner with TAFE on joint community projects involving skills such as landscaping, building and project management.
For more information, support, or ideas for TAFE Links Week, contact Chris Taylor Warringah Rotary Club
Pride of Workmanship Awards
<Placeholder for updated summary of Pennant Hills Rotary project to provide Pride of Workmanship Awards>
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International Service encompasses efforts to expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the world; through Rotary’s avenues of services and aligning with the Rotary Foundations areas of focus, the clubs in our district are supported to research, design, implement and review projects globally. It includes everything from contributing to End Polio Now to Rotary International Fellowships.
Are you looking for an international project ideas? Looking for existing projects to support? Perhaps your club needs additional funding to complete a project? Or maybe you're interested in becoming an international volunteer. Browse the Opportunities section of this site for ideas, or bring your suggestions to our semi-regular District International Service Workshops on Zoom.
For more information or support, contact District International Service Chair Frank Portelli via internationalservice@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
Rotary shares an interest in protecting our common legacy: the environment.
We are committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment. We empower communities to access grants and other resources, adopt local solutions, and drive innovation in their efforts to address the causes and mitigate the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
Browse the Environment section of this site for ideas, or bring your suggestions to the District volunteer team.
For more information or support, contact District Environment Chair Melanie Lewis via environmentchair@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
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Rotary’s strength lies in its people. Every new member brings fresh energy, skills, and perspectives that help us do more good in the world. Strong membership ensures strong clubs — vibrant, welcoming, and ready to serve.
Encourage new members to visit the Welcome to Rotary guide.
Rotary International has great resources to increase your club's value:
- Assess and adapt
- Engage current members
- Connect with prospective members
- Make new members feel welcome
- Create an inclusive club culture
- Strengthen your club
- Start a new club
- Stay current
👉 Membership is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’ve been in Rotary for 30 years or 3 months, you can invite someone to join and share the joy of Service Above Self.
For more information or support, contact Regional Membership Officer Barbara Mifsud via email
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A vibrant public image is essential for Rotary, as it shapes how we connect with friends, colleagues, and the wider community. Here are some ways you can enhance your club’s visibility:
- Keep your website fresh and accurate, ensuring all links are working smoothly.
- Take a look at your social media—are you regularly sharing the incredible impact of your activities?
- Plan ahead for your upcoming events by creating a media strategy to spread the word!
Let's showcase the amazing work we do together!
We're calling on all Rotary Clubs to contribute to a growing wave of authentic, meaningful storytelling.
We're calling on all Rotary Clubs to contribute to a growing wave of authentic, meaningful storytelling.
Your club’s projects and community impact deserve to be seen. When you share your stories, you're not just reporting success, you’re inviting others to dream bigger, serve better, and maybe even join us. Talk about your real, powerful stories that would make someone outside Rotary stop scrolling and say:
“That’s the kind of difference I want to make.”
“That’s the kind of difference I want to make.”
Whether it's a hands-on service project, a local partnership, or a personal journey of transformation, your story could spark inspiration across our region and beyond.
If you have good stories accompanied by high-quality photos and signed ‘Likeness Releases’, you can submit them to Rotary South Pacific via this link.
Together, let’s show our communities what Rotary is really about.
If you have good stories accompanied by high-quality photos and signed ‘Likeness Releases’, you can submit them to Rotary South Pacific via this link.
Together, let’s show our communities what Rotary is really about.
Effort toward Public Image benefits your Rotary club:
- Community Impact and Trust
A positive public image helps Rotary clubs build trust within their communities. When the public is aware of the positive impact Rotary makes through various service projects, it fosters a sense of trust and goodwill. - Member Recruitment and Engagement
A strong public image can attract new members to Rotary. People are more likely to join an organisation that is viewed positively in the community and seen as making a meaningful contribution. - Fundraising and Resource Mobilisation
Public perception directly influences the success of fundraising efforts. A positive public image can lead to increased support from individuals, businesses, and other organisations, providing the necessary resources for Rotary's service projects. - Advocacy and Partnerships
A positive public image enhances Rotary's ability to advocate for important causes and form partnerships with other organisations. When Rotary is well-regarded, it is more likely to gain support and collaboration from various stakeholders. - Global Awareness and Impact
Rotary's global impact relies on its ability to communicate effectively across borders. A positive public image helps Rotary gain recognition on an international scale, facilitating collaboration and the implementation of larger-scale projects. - Inspiring Action and Involvement
A compelling public image inspires community members to take action and get involved. Whether it's volunteering time, participating in events, or supporting fundraising initiatives, a positive image encourages active engagement.
For more information or support, contact District Chief Storyteller Liz McDougall via publicimage@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
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