At our recent Milson Rotary Club meeting, we were introduced to a powerful and inspiring story from the “Fit for Purpose” Rotary program held in Sydney in October 2024. The presentation highlighted a transformative but straightforward idea: when a Rotary Club connects deeply with a cause that reflects the heartbeat of its community, it becomes a magnet for engagement, relevance, and growth.
One club from District 9640 on the Gold Coast serves as a shining example. For over 35 years, the club remained steady at 35 members—active and functional, but not growing. That changed dramatically when the club asked a fundamental question: What does our community really need?
Through open dialogue with their local community, they identified a heartbreaking and urgent cause: domestic violence, which had reached alarming levels in their region. Rather than write cheques to external charities, the club made a bold and heartfelt decision to stand up, speak out, and lead.
Why do we exist? What change do we want to create?
The club organised a march in 2019—“Say No to Domestic Violence”—which drew 800 community members. The event ignited a movement. Partnerships followed, first with local police and then with broader community organisations, including corporates, schools, and government. What began as a one-time march became a full-scale advocacy campaign—Purple Friday—with 90 organisations now wearing symbolic purple shirts each Friday to raise awareness.
The Results Were Remarkable:
• Membership more than doubled—from 35 to 85.
• Nine corporate members joined the club.
• Community trust grew to the extent that during the devastating 2022 floods, local organisations donated over $1 million directly to the Rotary Club to lead relief efforts.
• The campaign expanded across Australia and into Parliament, culminating in a national initiative during the “16 Days of Activism” against domestic violence.
But perhaps most importantly, the club found its identity. No longer “just” a service club handing out donations, it became a community leader and a cause-driven movement. People didn’t just want to support the Rotary Club—they wanted to join it.
What Can Our Club Learn From This?
This success story teaches us that every Rotary Club needs a cause. Not just any cause, but a cause that reflects the pressing needs of its local community.
✅ It gives our club purpose.
✅ It gives our members pride.
✅ It gives our community a reason to connect.
In the words of the campaign’s founder:
“Every club needs an identity, like a product. A relevant cause becomes your identity. And people are drawn to it.”
What is our WHY?
