Letter: Service clubs urgently need new members

Ken Lever of Rotary Ballito and DOCRRA writes:

This is an appeal to our professional and business residents to become more involved in supporting and assisting our less privileged residents, to help themselves wherever possible.

We live in a remarkable area on the North Coast and among an equally remarkable community.

However, the reality of our Dolphin Coast community, as everywhere else in our fragmented and diverse country, is the disparity and differences between us.

We are also fortunate to have the representation – albeit small – of two internationally connected and supported voluntary service organisations in the form of Rotary International and Lions International.

Both organisations form local clubs made up of volunteers who give some of their time to supporting the community, particularly deprived children, the lonely and isolated elderly and the very poor.

The service clubs believe strongly in helping others to help themselves.

Nevertheless, our local clubs have reduced and low membership at present and need more help, a lot more help, to be a lot more effective within our community and use their international connections and resources to greater effect.

We have seen retirements and relocations during the past very difficult 15 months and need to build up club membership.

Meaningful help for our less privileged residents needs hands and brains to make it happen, as well as support from the clubs’ respective international connections.

The 3 of the local service clubs – Rotary Ballito, Rotary Zimbali and Lions Ballito – need more volunteers from our business and professional residents to function more effectively and reach out to the whole Dolphin Coast community.

nd, as importantly, the clubs need volunteers from all backgrounds and sectors of our area and region.

Members are asked to give about 10 hours of their time a month for planning meetings and for charitable projects and events. Social contact and networking within and between the clubs is also very important.

Many of you may already be involved in the outreach programmes offered and run by the remarkable religious establishments within the Dolphin Coast.

These must continue, and not be disrupted by your efforts elsewhere, but can also be supported by Rotary and Lions.

The advantage offered by the service clubs is the international connection and financial support for worthwhile projects and the contacts you will make within South Africa and our region.

For more information on club activities and meetings contact: Rotary Ballito – 082 657 0094; Rotary Zimbali – 083 679 3672; Lions Ballito – 083 775 3199.