AWARENESS ATTRACTS
The two Rotary clubs in Dundas, Ontario decided to have a social event for local businesses and professionals. Judy Shepalo the president of the Rotary Club of Dundas and membership chair Karin Schuett along with Neil Chopp joined with the Dundas Valley Sunrise director of membership Ralph Montesanto and member Jan Southall to discuss what could be done. After much discussion the committee decided the event would be a combination of Rotary awareness and vocational service with a soft sell for new members.
A list of town businesses and professionals was prepared and 200 invitations to attend the January 9 event at the Dundas Museum were hand delivered by committee members. Twenty folks RSVP’d while others just showed up.
Five or six members from each club were present to provide the soft sell. The event ran from 5 PM to 7 PM with a continuous drop in. A local craft beer brewery supplied samples to supplement the wine, soda and water bar. Throughout the evening a food buffet with cheeses, salami, prosciutto, crackers and other condiments kept the guests coming back to the table.
Cocktail tables were stationed with Rotary banners showing the various clubs in the world where members had done make-ups. These provided a great opportunity to discuss with the guests how Rotary is a worldwide organization where members are welcome in any of the over 35 000 clubs. In the photo, Jan Southall chats with two guests, both who work out of their homes.
All the while a continuously running slide show with photos from both clubs brought the Rotary message to the businesses and professional folks showing community and international projects along with a variety of fundraisers and fellowship events.
As guests left the museum they picked up a newly printed brochure titled, “Rotary in Dundas”, and many took one of the Rotarian Magazines that were available.
Both clubs budgeted $500 each and the feeling from committee members and Rotarians present was that it was money well spent. Several guests expressed interest in joining one of the clubs while others said they learned about Rotary and what great things the clubs do in the community and beyond.
Those interested in learning more about how the two clubs joined together for this successful event or to obtain copies of the materials they used, contact PDG Ralph Montesanto.