We are at the start of a new Rotary year and at the beginning of a pivotal journey.

A lot of the strategic groundwork has been laid down for achieving our North ​Star target. This includes securing funding from Rotary International, setting up ​four new membership channels, gaining the collaboration of districts working ​effectively as clusters, and strengthening our infrastructure to support new ​members joining Rotary Great Britain & Ireland.

This year’s focus will remain on increasing our membership through the four ​membership channels; Club, Corporate, Direct and Enterprise, so that each one ​becomes a steady contributor of new members towards the aim of 60,000 ​members.

We will continue to provide extensive support to districts and clubs to grow ​effectively in a sustainable and diverse way. With the assistance of our Specialist ​Advisor Teams and also the Rotary Support Centre, our goal is to add three new ​clubs to each district, with at least one, if not two, corporate members joining ​each club.

We will build the Enterprise model, working closely with our first client and ​learning from this experience to take on new Enterprise clients through fresh ​partnerships.

Work will continue building our Direct Membership Channel as a setting for ​members to meet in a safe and secure environment.

The Board, on behalf of Rotary GB&I, is responsible to Rotary International for ​delivering 60,000 members by 2028, providing a return on RI’s investment for the ​approved funding. This is a shared responsibility with every member in Rotary ​GB&I becoming a co-owner of our 60,000 target.

For Rotary in these isles, the wins from North Star are huge. North Star isn’t just ​about adding new members. New members bring knowledge, skills, and talent ​but, more importantly, they allow us to form new friendships and fellowships as ​we take on a greater array of service projects.

New members assist us at events, providing a much-needed resource to take on ​new and bigger projects so Rotary can reach out to more people. These new ​members will also open up pathways to untapped personal and business ​networking circles – making North Star a sustainable model for the future with ​the ability to adapt and evolve.

We are also reviewing our Leadership Development programmes to make Rotary ​leadership roles become more attractive for existing and emerging leaders.

We have a busy year ahead. I firmly believe we are in the right place at the right ​time, doing the right thing with the right people. Together we will create a new ​vibrant, diverse and engaging Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland.

Thank you for the relentless hard work, determination, and passion you inject ​into each day creating ‘The Magic of Rotary’.