THE Rotary Club of Ballarat has launched a series of seasonal events that are encouraging community members to connect and to get involved with volunteerism.<\/p>\n
At their first breakfast event at Johnny Alloo cafe last week, the Club hosted many women, young people, and representatives of diverse local groups to enjoy a meal and coffee together, and listen to guest speaker Roland Rocchiccioli.<\/p>\n
The Club\u2019s aim with the series is not only to attract potential new Rotary volunteers, but to nurture networking and future leaders of Ballarat.<\/p>\n
Rotary member Samantha McIntosh said the organisation has been concerned about the ageing memberships of service clubs like theirs across the city, and the low number of women in community leadership roles over the last decade.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re keen to encourage, support, inspire and empower women to step up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Club asked if I would be interested in helping to build the number of women involved in our Clubs across the community, and create a more diverse space,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought putting on new, different, and colourful events in really interesting and unique venues, with a mix of creative and interesting speakers, might work.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe number of volunteers in our community has diminished, so we have a challenge to address there. These events are broadly about volunteerism, and encouraging young people to stand up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Islamic Society of Ballarat\u2019s Anam Shahab attended the breakfast last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very glad to be here, because I\u2019ve met so many lovely ladies I didn\u2019t know, and so many talented people in Ballarat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s really good that there will be an event like this four times a year, providing an opportunity to make connections, support and empower each other through networking.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Rotary Club of Ballarat manages SpringFest, works with the 9780 District of Clubs to run the Ballarat Swap Meet, and many other community-focused projects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Rotary Club of Ballarat has launched a series of seasonal events that are encouraging community members to connect and to get involved with volunteerism. At their first breakfast event at Johnny Alloo cafe last week, the Club hosted many women, young people, and representatives of diverse local groups to enjoy a meal and coffee […]<\/p>\n