"DEI 101" - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Rotary's Relevance and Sustainability.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion -- Rotary's relevance and sustainability

Rotary is committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect. We seek to allow everyone's voice to be heard, and to provide equitable opportunities for fellowship, service, and leadership. We support open communication and shared learning among ourselves and with our communities. While Rotary overall is a model of Diversity Equity and Inclusion many of our 35,000 clubs are not. In 2021 a Rotary international task force on DEI conducted research among 31,000 Rotarians and completed its report and recommendations. The policy and guidelines were focused on a strategy to support clubs and members in making any transition they choose to make in adopting DEI and aligning with their local communities. In 2021 Rotary District 5040 formed a DEI Committee to work with our 49 clubs on ways they can choose to reflect and engage with the communities they serve and become more relevant. DEI is the way forward for the sustainability of Rotary clubs. It has an impact on membership, fundraising and the Rotary experience of members. District DEI Committee Chair Ardath Paxton-Mann and committee member, Peter Roaf, will present on "DEI 101" to serve as a foundation for this transition.