Expanding Our Reach

When Rotarians feel passionate about an issue, they usually dive right in and take action. Rotarians are People of Action, and making a difference in their communities and around the world is built into their DNA.

But what do you do if you’re so passionate about an issue that you want to focus your whole clubs efforts around it?

Well, sometimes you start a new Rotary club.

Corey Lopardi of the Rotary Big West New Club Task Force interviews D5280 Past District Governor Cozette Vergari, Vanessa Galvan-Reddix, charter president of the Rotary Club of D5280 Rotarians Fighting Human Trafficking as well as Kathleen Terry of the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club, to find out their secrets for turning a passion for an issue into a new Rotary club.

Rotarians are naturally busy people. They are People of Action making a difference in their communities. But sometimes work and Rotary can come into conflict.

What would you do if you had to choose between work and Rotary? Would you stop attending meetings? Would you look to join a club that meets at a different time? What if that wasn’t an option?

Well, one choice would be to start a new Rotary club.

Corey Lopardi of the Rotary Big West New Club Task Force interviews Amy & Geoff Schmidt, of Kitsap Crossroads Rotary, to find out their secrets for growing a new Rotary club.

Rotarians are often looking for ways to create lasting partnerships in their communities. Sometimes, those partnerships can take on a life of their own and grow into something unexpected. When those partnerships are based around a local cause, they may just turn into a way to Grow Rotary.

Corey Lopardi of the Rotary Big West New Club Task Force interviews D300 Rotarian Bob Spence, Pastor Kory Wenell, charter president of the West Covina Tutorial Cause Based Rotary Club as well Roger Gutierrez District Governor Elect of D5300, to find out their secrets for turning an idea for serving local students into a new Rotary club.

Have you ever wanted to attract younger Rotarians to you club?

Have you ever considered starting a Satellite club? Satellites are a great way to meet the needs of potential Rotarians in your area without having to start a new Rotary club right away.

Sometimes, though, those satellites grow up quickly and become their own clubs.

Corey Lopardi of the Rotary Big West New Club Task Force recently had the opportunity to interview Gurkern Sufi, charter president of the Sacramento Midtown Rotary Club and Desiree Wilson District Governor of D5180, to find out their secrets for turning a Satellite Club into a new Rotary club.

What would you do if you were the President Elect of your 100 year old Rotary club that was operating a club within a club? Would you start a satellite or would you consider another option?

Corey Lopardi of the Rotary Big West New Club Task Force recently had the opportunity to interview Mark Plantz, charter president of the Montrose Black Canyon Rotary Club, to find out his secrets for starting a new Rotary club.

Expanding Our Reach is a monthly series of interviews highlighting the stories of new clubs started in the Rotary Big West.

In our first episode Corey Lopardi of the Rotary Big West New Club Task Force interviews Brian Rusch, the charter president of the Rotary Club of Global Action District 5150, and asks Brian just how new e-clubs and cause based clubs are making an impact in the world and attracting a new diverse community of Rotarians.