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Our typical approach to improvement is to "solve
the problems", which often drains us of our energy and leaves us
exhausted. The approach suggested here is to build your Rotary Club
by encouraging members to look for and to talk about what they see as good
and then to consider ways to create more of that which is positive.
The following
illustrates how this approach could be used by a Rotary District Governor
to promote and grow the good things that are happening in the district's
Rotary Clubs:
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Prior to the DG’s visit to
each club, the President would announce that “next week we will have a
discussion rather than a speaker and I would like everyone to use this
week to think about what is good about Rotary that we want more of’. |
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Then the next week each
member will stand and say one thing that he or she sees as being good
about Rotary (locally, in the district, or internationally) that we need
more of, and a person will record each statement in a few words. |
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At the end of the meeting,
the recorder will review what has been written to find the themes
mentioned by the club members |
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The Board will then consider
these themes at its next board meeting prior to the DG’s visit. |
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During the DG’s meeting with
the Board, preferably prior to his meeting with the club, the Board will
talk about the top one or two themes and what could come as a result of
the dialogue and energy within the club. |
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If there are some especially
worthwhile stories that come from these visits of the DG with the clubs,
they will be featured at the District Conference. The intent there will
be for clubs to share their stories of good news and positive energy
with others who may gain insights and energy to take home to their own
club. |
This approach is called
Appreciative Inquiry and has been taught at Case Western Reserve
University (http://appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/) |
