Welcome
Area Representative Program
Overview
Starting July 1, our district will replace the existing Assistant Governor (AG) program with a new Area Representative program. There are two primary differences between the programs:
- Your club, in collaboration with other clubs in your Area, will select your Area Rep from within the membership of your clubs. Currently the AG is selected by the DG. Clubs have the opportunity to actively participate in the Area Rep selection process. It is a team approach involving, rather than the decision of a single individual.
- The role of the Area Rep is to represent, not to govern. Your Area Rep will be part of the District Leadership Team and will be your direct link to the team from your Area. They will lead collaboration efforts within your Area and with the District.
Like the AG, the Area Rep will serve as a liaison between clubs and district. The time commitment required to do the job effectively is similar, as are the experience requirements.
The requirements for the Area Rep position are simple:
- Be an active Rotarian with a minimum 3 years’ club experience in the Area being represented.
- Be a current or former Club President.
- Have had no prior District leadership role. Past or current committee membership is OK, but no committee chair position, DG, DGE, DGN, AG, or Treasurer. Our organization needs new leaders. When selecting your Rep, think about what impact they can they have on your clubs and the future of our organization. An effective Area Rep will have good communication skills, be open to new ideas, be tech savvy, and willing to get involved.
Area Rep Selection Process
The District has 16 local Areas, and one Area for virtual clubs. Area clubs are in geographic proximity and are within the same county. A list of Areas and their clubs available to view and download Area Rep Club Info document in the adjacent Documents box.
We have identified a “Starter” club (highlighted in yellow on above list) in each Area to begin the process by reaching out and getting the clubs together.
The program starts with the new Rotary year on July 1. It is requested that the Starter club convene a meeting (live or virtual) of current Presidents-Elect in your designated Area to start the process. A list of club officers with their email address was mailed to club officers.
There are two suggested ways to select your Area Rep. Which one you choose is up to the Presidents-Elect. The process should be based on collaboration and consensus.
- The Presidents-Elect select a Rep based on discussion and local knowledge of the potential candidates.
- Each club nominates a candidate, the Presidents-Elect interview, and then select the Area Rep.
After you have selected your Rep, the Starter club sends an email to bob.law.7475@gmail.com with your decision. Also include who participated in the process. I recognize that some clubs will not participate. Just move forward without them.
If there is no Rep selected in an Area, then the District will select one, but that defeats the purpose of the program. This is an opportunity for the clubs to be involved. Take advantage of it.
Area Rep Responsibilities
The Area Rep is part of the district leadership team and the input they provide will be used to help determine district priorities. The first role of the district is to support our clubs. If the clubs select their area rep, and that rep performs effectively, it will make the district better at executing that support role.
The primary responsibility of the Area Rep is to build communication and collaboration between the area clubs. Working together, clubs can have a larger impact and enjoy expanded resources, with a broader group of people contributing different experiences and ideas to your activities. This is where the Area Rep can have the greatest impact, by helping to spread best practices and new ideas between clubs and encouraging joint projects.
The second responsibility is to act as the liaison between the area clubs and district. The focus will be on receiving meaningful feedback and information from the clubs and bringing new ideas to the clubs. The traditional function of the AG delivering news and information to clubs has largely been replaced by email and Zoom. The Area Rep can focus on more productive activities.
Reps should not be afraid to speak their mind. They will be collaborating with the other Area Reps and all District leaders as we work to increase membership and improve the success of our clubs. Collaboration is a key Rotary initiative. The Area Rep will be instrumental in developing collaboration between clubs to increase Rotary’s impact within their Area.