With much gratitude, I am happy to share my experience at the Emerging Rotary Leaders (ERLS) Training at the Big West Zone Institute (Zones 26 and 27). Thank you to our District 5030 leaders, particularly District Governor Kaj Pedesen, for making this opportunity possible for me. The ERL Program consisted of a full day of intensive leadership training and networking facilitated by past district governors from Zones 26 and 27, Glenn Fong, Shurie Scheel, Del Green, and Gianna Richards. They were dynamic and motivating teachers. ERLS were motivated to critically engage in how to improve our own districts, particularly with respect to bolstering Rotary’s Core Values (Fellowship, Integrity, Diversity, Service and Leadership) as well as Rotary International’s Strategic Priorities: 1) Increase our impact; 2) Expand our reach; 3) Enhance participant engagement; and 4) Increase our ability to adapt. The sustainability of Rotary depends on the implementation of these priorities at the district level as Rotary International is experiencing a decreasing membership pool, with 50% of members leaving Rotary within three years of their joining. About 150,000 members are joining every year, but a greater number, 160,000, are leaving. We urgently need to reverse this trend, and RI’s four strategic priorities provide the pathway. RIPE Stephanie Urchick aptly stated, “We need to stop the bleeding.” She shared her solution—a vision of “regional adaptability” in which districts and zones coordinate and collaborate on a regional basis to yield positive outcomes putting into practice the four strategic priorities.
Consistent with this strategy, ERLS learned the three essential elements to create vibrant clubs and grow and sustain membership: Membership, Foundation, and Brand. Member retention is directly related to club culture, which, in turn, creates the club “brand experience” for guests and members. These questions are essential for our club leadership to ask: Should we take a look at our Club’s Culture? Are we providing an enhanced club experience? Does our member retention rate need to improve? How do Membership, Foundation and Brand work together for the good of the Club? For the club experience is the product that we offer and like any product, there is a brand driven by culture that Rotary members can enhance to boost membership.
The highlight of the ERL Training day was the productive and informative Q&A session with RIPE Stephanie Urchick and Rotary Senior Leaders. It was an open forum in which we could pose any question that we wished. I inquired of our leadership about the arguments that they anticipated against the adoption of an eighth focus area that focused on fighting human trafficking in preparation for a draft proposal of a resolution to the Council on Resolutions. I serve on the leadership team for the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS) and one of our initiatives is to propose that Rotary International adopt an eighth area of focus that specifically supports service that counters human trafficking. In my law practice, Restore the Child, PLLC, I represent survivors of sexual exploitation, child sexual abuse material, and sex trafficking. I witness the lasting harm of this atrocity on my clients and advocate for them for restitution and civil relief to meet what is typically a lifetime of treatment needs.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, after drug trafficking, human trafficking is the world’s second most profitable criminal enterprise, a status it shares with illegal arms trafficking. It is imperative that Rotary direct its attention to the world’s fastest growing criminal venture, valued to be an estimated $32 billion-a-year global industry. To remain effective, current, and relevant as a leadership and service organization in our communities, Rotary must take a proactive approach on this issue. Whether it is by protecting children (25% of sex trafficking victims are children), promoting human safety, furthering justice, or supporting human rights, there is an avenue that is non-political, non-religious yet deeply impactful for Rotary members to follow. There is a path toward human empathy that is universal and resolute, blind to denominations and affiliations. Kailash Satyrarthi, Nobel Laureate and advocate for the human rights of children, has carved that path. Having received the highest award of honor with Rotary for the 2021-2022 Rotary year for the rescue of a nearly 1,000,0000 children out of slavery, he says, “Breathe IN Suffering – Breathe OUT Compassion.”
Following my question, the Rotary International Leaders expressed their general support of such an initiative. RIPE Stephanie Urchick recommended that I distinguish human trafficking from the seven existing focus areas to demonstrate the need for an eighth area of focus. She looked forward to seeing the proposal. This moment of affirmation followed by further discussion with Stephanie (all ERLS were invited back to her hotel room later that evening to continue the conversation) was the high point of the ERL Training for me. The RI leadership cared to hear my heart and passion on fighting human trafficking. Maya Angelou’s quote rang true, shared at the Zones Institute, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I carried that feeling of being heard and valued through the rest of the Zones Institute, and I carry it now, motivated to lead and serve with empathy and raise the voices of survivors. More importantly, it reminded me of how Rotary so well serves to channel our passion toward making a difference in our communities no matter what we are passionate about. Rotary leverages that passion and our efforts to make the greatest impact.
My favorite speaker during the Institute, Jim Marggraff, entrepreneur and founder of an array of educational products that leverage technology, like Leapfrog and Kibeam (a smart reading wand), encouraged us to Innovate! Think outside the box. He carried us through a process of how to carry a novel idea from abstraction to a positive, tangible result. For example, he is working on a Rotary Speaks Pilot Library so that clubs can access recordings of world-renown speakers from one source to share with and motivate their members and guests. Jim attributed his success to the support and foundation of Rotary in his life.
The high impact general sessions were intermixed with fun fellowship and fundraising events, such as a Zero K Pajama Run Fundraiser for Polio Plus and a Disco Inferno Event to support the Rotary Foundation. I made fast friends with other ERLS, like Jenn Gladish with Seattle 4 Rotary. (Who I found out likes roller coasters just as much as I do!) I am grateful for the time to connect with district leaders, like DGEN, Jeff Borek, (cutting loose on the disco dance floor) and DGE Rachele Bouchand, at a lovely reception to recognize her completion of her education journey toward becoming the next DG for 5030 (Congratulations Rachele!). The camaraderie at these events is palpable and energizing. I returned home ready to put into action the 4-way test. I am ready to be visionary, persistent and mission-drive, but humble; ready to engage, but also listen more. I am ready to empower Rotary members and community leaders to greater leadership. Thank you District 5030!
Susanna L. Southworth, PhD, JD – 2023-2025 D5030 Secretary and 2023 ERL Graduate
“Hope does not create action; action creates hope” – Jeffrey Robinson
