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Thomasville Rotary Club Pivots in the Face of the Pandemic

Even before the most recent directives from U.S. health officials and the White House made it clear that gathering our members for weekly meetings would be impossible, our Board of Directors was considering options to safeguard the health and well-being of our 140+ members… especially those who are among the most vulnerable demographic. So, when the directive came down restricting gathering in groups of more than 10 people, our Board was ready with a plan to keep Rotary alive in Thomasville, GA.

There were two key parts to our plan. First, we would begin holding virtual meetings until such time that the risk of spreading the disease subsides and it safe to resume live meetings. We will broadcast our meetings online via Zoom. The second part of our plan was to make sure that we checked in with each of our members. Our membership roll was divided among our directors and officers, and within a two-day period, every Thomasville Rotarian received a courtesy wellness call. In these calls, we made sure that members were aware of our plans to broadcast meetings online and that they had in their possession all of the information they needed concerning COVID-19 (CDC and government-provided information as well as information from our local hospital’s website related to testing sites and procedures). In cases where a member expressed a specific need, our Board committed to getting help for that member. Finally, we used the calls as an opportunity to receive from members updated personal contact information.

Each of our members – young and old alike – appreciated being checked on and expressed gratitude for the genuine concern shown by their fellow Rotarians. Like most awesome Rotarians, many expressed a desire to step up and help as we needed! We also held our first online club meeting successfully and inducted our three approved members! This experience has taught us that there is more than one way to “do” Rotary and reminded us that the backbone of Rotary is a positive attitude and a strong conviction to Service Above Self.

All Club Meetings and the Rotary Board of Directors Meeting (Tuesday the 24th at 5:30) will be Online Now Via Zoom.

Email kimberlywalden@gmail.com for the link.

The Rotary International Convention, District Training and all Service Projects Have Been Cancelled Until Further Notice.

Online Rotary Club Meeting Invitation for Thursday at Noon

Kim Walden is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Our Speaker This Week - Powell Jones of Secure Records Solutions

Powell Jones will share some information from a business perspective about responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Approved Members Inducted

Past President Joe Brown Sponsored New Member John Comita and New Member Copper Comita show here with Kathleen "Galbaby" Scott.

Past President Carol Jones sponsored Gail Roberts for membership.

Our Speaker Last Week

Special thanks to Dr. Shamim Kahn of the North Columbus Rotary Club for sharing all the details about our Global Grant online via Zoom!

Rotary Foundation Global Grant Project Gastro Duodenoscope for a Mobile Clinic in Northwestern Bangladesh.

Listen to an Update on Rotary from our Rotary international Zone Directors Meeting

DG Jim shared this video to us of his Zone meeting. See his note below.

Good afternoon Presidents, Presidents-Elect and District Leadership. I feel communication is vitally important during this time of uncertainty, and therefore you will be receiving more communication from the District than we had normally planned. Rotary International Zone 33/34 Directors David and Stephanie are now having a short weekly Zoom meeting with the DGs, DGEs and DGNs on Fridays, and I will send you the link each week to the video recording of the meeting. It is the 1st of weekly zoom calls with Rotary International Treasurer David Stovall, Rotary International Director Stephanie Urchick, and Rotary International Director Elect Peter Kyle. These weekly meetings will be held through the International event currently being experienced. The intent is to broaden knowledge of current events in Rotary and the zones represented by the directors above, along with providing content and information which Rotarians can share and use in their clubs and districts to keep Rotarians and their clubs engaged.