August-September 2021

Rotary clubs have been helping communities grow by providing loans to entrepreneurs across the world. The scheme, working with the charity Lendwithcare, has so far provided more than £1.3 million from Rotary clubs to help those fighting their way out of poverty.

The Covid pandemic has witnessed many people struggling financially, through losing their jobs or being put on furlough. Credit unions are community savings and loan co-operatives, which are helping the most vulnerable.

The environment has become Rotary’s seventh area of focus at a time when the world’s infrastructure is crumbling. We see the images of horrendous disasters, such as flooding and drought, but what is the reality? Lucy Carr from ShelterBox, Rotary’s project partners in disaster relief, tells about life on the front line.

BERNADETH Cabusog is a 34-year-old farmer and mother-of-two from the Philippines who has received loans from Lendwithcare, including from Stevenage Grange Rotary.

FEBCO (Financing Energy Business Cooperative) is the first energy cooperative in Malawi and has been supported by Bury St Edmunds Rotary in Suffolk.

Jim Wilson is a Past President of Norwich Marchesi Rotary, and a former chairman of Norfolk Police Authority. Here, he writes about why Rotary should become active in the campaign against child sexual abuse.

Lady Philippa Dannatt is the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk and a trained counsellor. Here she describes first-hand the scale of child abuse which is going on behind closed doors.

In January 2020, Rotary International forged a strategic alliance with Toastmasters International. But what does that mean in practice?

Jim and Jenny Banks from Stonehaven Rotary in Aberdeenshire have been involved in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards scheme for more than 30 years. Here they reflect on a golden age of developing youngsters’ thinking and physical skills.

From the devastation of a horrific explosion in Beirut a year ago, Rotarians from across Great Britain & Ireland have helped fund the rebuilding of part of a hospital destroyed by the blast.

Former Rotary International President, Barry Rassin, is spearheading a task force which is looking at the future shape of the organisation globally.

Join us in congratulating Greg Singleton who has been honoured a Champions of Change award for his Action Covid-19 project to alleviate hunger.

Every year, Rotary salutes its Champions of Change. Half a dozen Rotarians drawn from all walks of life are honoured for their valuable work in the community. Theirs is a snapshot of the amazing work which Rotarians and Rotary clubs perform on a daily basis across Great Britain and Ireland.

Introducing Michael Gray from Fleetwood Rotary who has been honoured with a Rotary Champions of Change award for his work in founding Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs.

Meet John Griffith who has been honoured with a Champions of Change award for his work in founding Grifaid.

Introducing Chris Hayer, from Milton Keynes Grand Union Rotary Club, who has won a Rotary Champions of Change award following her work with the Bakau Drainage Project.

Meet Rotary Champions of Change winner, Douglas Kerr, awarded for his work raising funds for MND Plymouth and Kidney Research UK.

Each year, six non-Rotarians are chosen as Champions of Change as a mark of their work with Rotary and the impact their projects have made to communities in this country, and around the world.

The Rotary International ‘Service Above Self’ award is a coveted honour, which has been bestowed on three Rotarians from Great Britain & Ireland.

Rotary International Director, Nicki Scott, shares her three-year action plan for the future of Rotary.

Here’s a challenge. Pick a topic you know something about – maybe Rotary. Then, stand up in front of a mirror, with minimal preparation, speak about that subject for a minute.

The Chair of the Executives, David Ellis, shares plans for a new board as Rotary navigates into life post COVID 19.

Rotary GB&I General Secretary, Amanda Watkin, shares how Rotary clubs are navigating their way to normality post COVID 19.

Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta discusses ways to increase Rotary membership with his new initiative Each One, Bring One.

John Germ discusses the Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta’s call of Each One, Bring One initiative.