Celebrating Rotary Club of Kampala North Charter

ROTARY CLUB OF KAMPALA NORTH abridged history to Aug 2019 .For Charter Nite The Rotary Club of Kampala North was admitted into the Rotary Family on June 21, 1988 after about eight months of preparation, formation and guidance by the District Governor’s Special Representative (DGSR) (currently known as New Club Advisor) AvitusTibarimbasa (RIP) from the Rotary Club of Kampala. The Charter Ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon on August 6, 1988. The District Governor AdbulLakha (RIP) conducted the ceremony, at which the Guest of Honour was Retired Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba, who represented the Current Prime Minister, Hon NduguRuhakana- Rugunda.

During the initial eight months in the formation of the Club, there was marked fluctuation in the number of members who attended the Club meetings, and eventually twenty two (22) members were Chartered. Of the twenty two Charter members, nine (9) formed the Charter Board, namely:Dr. Chris Kayonga (RIP)

- President

Dr. DaudiMuduli

- Vice President

Stanley Sabiti

- Secretary

EriasKaijuka

-Treasurer

Dr. Abel Katahoire

- Club Service/President Elect

Dr. Frank Mwesigye

- Vocational Service

Pierre Wandera

- Community Service

Dr. DeogratiusSekimpi

- International

Dan Nkwata (RIP)

- Sergent-at-arms

Most members of the Charter Board had been the Provisional Club Board which had been selected in February 1998. They had therefore developed the leadership skills as a team under the guidance of DGSR AvitusTibarimbasa. On top of the willingness to serve the community, the team had shown exceptional desire to learn, lead and build the baby Club.The willingness to learn and adopt, to listen, to remain informed about Rotary so as to share with others distinguished the Charter Club leaders from other members.

The above attributes remain essential, even today, in any leader of leaders who are volunteers. It is much easier to be informed about Rotary these days (internet era) compared to the situation at the formation of this Club. Therefore an effective Club president should be informed, available to members, demonstrate leadership and show deep interest in Club activities in addition to the usual ethical behavior.

With such a leader, as briefly outlined, the Club will be effective as measured against the following pillars:a) Membership The club had grown from 22 Charter members in 1988 to over 90 currently with a good mix of male, female and young members. The Club has formed and nurtured a number of Interact, Rotaract and Rotary Clubs. b) Service Projects The projects portfolio has grown from provision of bus shelters on Bombo Road and protected springs in Kivilu and Katanga to mult-faceted community interventions such as: - Support to the Dental School at Mulago with dental chairs, rehabilitation and capacity building under a Global Grant of about one million US Dollars.

- Nkandwe Adopt a Community intervention involving education, economic empowerment, agriculture, health facility and water supply for human beings and livestock. c) Support to The Rotary Foundation The Club has been, over the years, supporting the Foundation. At age six (1994), the Club had the first two Paul Harriss Fellows and has since increased the number to over 70, including major Donors (at all levels), Benefactors and members of the Bequest Society with All-Time Giving of over US$370,000. d) Leadership Beyond the Club Over the years members of the Club have served at Country, District and International levels including as District Governors, Rotary International Committees and representatives on the Council of Legislation.

Judging from the above pillars, the Rotary Club of Kampala North has the characteristics of an effective Club which have been developed over the years.

Growth Globally the total number of members in Clubs has remained stagnant (at about 1.2 million) over the years. This means that while some Clubs have experienced growth others have had declining membership. Clubs should adopt new strategies of attracting new members depending on what works in a given community. In addition Club Leaders should also look at their members and pull in activities that their members find attractive. Deliberate effort must be put into place to retain existing members. People join Clubs because, on invitation, they find common activities that appeal to them to continue being part of a group (Club member).

In summary the Rotary Club of Kampala North, in order to sustain the growth achieved thus far, should focus on recruiting younger members, pay attention to all nationalities willing to serve in the communities, emphasize and enforce the Rotary ideals, both documented and undocumented.

In this way the Club, and indeed RI, will be able to grow both membership and resources resulting in a wider variety and greater intensity of service to those in need in our communities.

By CP Abel Katahoire and Chair PPC Eve Kasirye-Alemu, for Charter Nite 2019.