By Rotary International

Members of the Rotary Club of Pune Deccan Queen meet on the passenger train between Pune and Mumbai.

By Deepak Shikarpur, past district governor

On the Deccan Queen Express, an Indian passenger train that connects Mumbai with Pune, members of the Rotary Club of Pune Deccan Queen conduct their weekly meeting. It may very well be the only Rotary club in the world that meets on a train.

The Deccan Queen is one of the most popular trains in the sector and a daily means of transportation for thousands commuting between the two cities. The idea was first proposed in 2012, but since the route crosses through two Rotary districts, it took a while to reach agreement the club would be considered to meet in District 3131 (which includes Pune).

Every Thursday, members get together in a special car for pass holders. There are 25 members at the moment, and prominent citizens traveling on the train are invited as speakers. We have conducted community service projects including health checkup camps for train porters and railway staff, and made infrastructure improvements to the station in Pune. We are planning to begin monthly fellowship meetings in the city so members can bring their family and they, …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

Children gather in the park for a Rotary-sponsored picnic in Islamabad, Pakistan.

By Nosherwan Khalil Khan, president of the Rotary Club of Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

My club recently arranged a picnic for children who have visual impairments or learning delays at the Lake View Park in Islamabad. We were able to partner with True Site, an organization dedicated to the welfare of blind children, through our Rotary member Shehzad Javed, who is secretary general of the organization.

The children enjoyed rides in the park, a visit to a bird aviary, and a healthy lunch provided by the Rotary club. It was a great picnic, enjoyed by the children to the fullest. What better example to the community of the power of Rotary!

…read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

By Evan Burrell, a member of the Rotary Club of Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia, and a regular contributor to this blog

I’m not a huge donor with the capability of making or breaking your club’s fundraising campaign. At least not yet. And I am fully aware Rotary isn’t just a fundraising organization. But we do need funds to carry on our service projects and do good in the world.

So here are a few of my ideas for how to put fun back in your fundraiser, and increase your reach and effectiveness.

Members of a Rotary Club in Illinois, USA, cut oranges during an event to raise money for club projects.

Use online crowdfunding sites
Rotary clubs generally underutilize social media to raise funds. Sites like Gofundme, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo get instant donations for your cause. And you can use the built in features to share it on social media. Just look at how much has been raised in a short period of time for victims of the Nepal earthquake.

Share YOUR story
If you want people to donate, you need to give them a reason why. People need to hear about the amazing things Rotary has done, …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

Members of the vocational training team in Uganda.

By Lisa Miller, a member of the Rotary Club of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, USA

Sixteen mothers die in childbirth in Uganda every day. How can we make a difference?

Ryan Smith, then a medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine, posed that question to his father several years ago. The question, and his father’s membership in Rotary, combined to bring together staff from two medical schools — Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, USA, and Makerere University School of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda, to exchange ideas, share technology, and discuss ways to reduce mortality and morbidity during and after childbirth and improve access to essential medical services.

Ron Smith, a member of the Rotary Club of Blue Bell and a recent recipient of the Drexel University Alumni Association’s Service to Community Award, spearheaded the maternal and child health project for our club. In partnership with other clubs, Drexel University College of Medicine, and other interested parties, the project set out to create a sustainable exchange of healthcare ideas and train healthcare professionals. All of this came from one idea.

We expect to see an impact well beyond what is visible during the project. Immediately, …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

By Mark Huddleston, a member of the Rotary club of Edwardstown, South Australia, Australia, and District 9520 Membership Chair

My son can be a particularly picky eater. One of his favorite meals is ham and pineapple pizza. We occasionally make pizza at home, and I wouldn’t ever bother putting anything on his pizza but ham and pineapple, because he would just pick it off. If we order a pizza when we’re out, that’s exactly what he does.

So, what’s this got to do with Rotary? Many members approach Rotary like my son approaches his pizza.

I sort of think ham and pineapple pizzas are a bit on the boring side. If my Rotary experience was a pizza, it would be a super supreme. There’s a bit of everything. I’ve attended three conventions, including last year’s in my back yard in Sydney, and they are among my favorite things to do as a Rotary member. My second favorite is attending district conference. A few weeks ago I drove my wife and kids seven hours to Ballarat for an amazing experience. I enjoyed a remarkable conference, and my family enjoyed Ballarat.

Service projects, club fundraisers, visits to other clubs, Rotary Days, or Rotary Anniversary celebrations all …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog