October Focus on Economic and Community Development

ROTARY’S OCTOBER FOCUS ON ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

By Jennifer Shertzer, member of the Plano West Rotary Club

As rallies for racial justice happened throughout the U.S. in the summer of 2020, members of Plano West Rotary Club (PWRC) located in Plano, Texas felt compelled to find a COVID-safe way to help create equity for the Black community, as well as involve more community members in Rotary’s efforts.

PWRC brought their desire to be allies of and strengthen Black neighbors throughout the local community. The club met with several community members with deep roots in the Douglass Community, Plano’s historically Black neighborhood founded in the 1800s.

Working with local leaders, the Rotary Community Corps (RCC) of Plano Douglass Community was formed on 26 June 2020 to formalize a relationship with the club and partner on service projects in support of this underserved community.

Almost immediately after its creation, the RCC worked with our club to identify some of the Douglass Community’s most pressing needs: access to nutritious food and educational resources. The RCC has empowered the Douglass Community to voice their needs, and to work with us to jointly develop projects to help the community meet their most basic needs. The collaboration between our club and the RCC also proved successful in engaging non-Rotarians in community service. A diverse group has volunteered alongside Plano West Rotary Club in at least 21 service projects so far.

A total of 929 volunteer hours have been served, and $174,937 worth of in-kind goods have been distributed to neighbors in the Douglass Community. The majority of in-kind goods received were food boxes donated by Plano-area food pantries and food banks. Over seven months, PWRC and the RCC went out 11 times to deliver an approximate total of 1,500 food boxes door-to-door to community members in need. On every delivery date, between 125 and 200 homes received boxes filled with fresh food and nonperishable items.

Click here to read more.

What is a Rotary Community Corps?

A Rotary Community Corps is a group of non-Rotarians who share our commitment to changing the world through service projects. RCC members plan and carry out projects in their communities and support local Rotary club projects.

What’s involved?

By joining or organizing an RCC, you can make a tremendous impact in your community.

How do I join an RCC?

RCCs can exist anywhere a local Rotary club sponsors one. You can find an RCC in your area by contacting your local Rotary club. If there isn’t a community corps, discuss the idea of starting one with your local Rotary club president. Learn more about what you can do through a Rotary Community Corps.

How do I sponsor an RCC?

By sponsoring an RCC, you’re giving more people a chance to take action to solve your community’s problems. Fill out an organization form and email it to Rotary International.

How do I form an RCC?

You can form an RCC anywhere community members are interested in working with Rotary. Here are some guidelines:

• Work with other local residents to identify the community’s greatest needs using this assessment form. • Work with your local Rotary club to outline how you will work together. • Recruit RCC members. Start with a core group of members. Community organizations and nongovernmental agencies are good places to recruit.

Read more here.