Cabinet Meeting – August 31, 2024 DI – 9 Zone Chair Report – Shelley Sweeney District Governor and fellow Cabinet members, As a new Zone Chair, I am excited to embark on this journey together under my theme "Strive to Thrive." This year, we have an incredible opportunity to refresh and rejuvenate our activities, ensuring that we not only sustain but grow stronger as a community. Our Goals for the Year: 1. Increase Community Profile: We’ll be working to boost our visibility through social media and other media platforms. By sharing our stories and successes, we can engage more with our community and attract new members. 2. Encourage New Leadership: It’s time to empower new leaders within our clubs. Fresh perspectives are vital to our growth, and I encourage you all to step up, mentor others, and embrace leadership roles. 3. Collaborate with Other Service Clubs: Rather than competing for the same audience, we will develop liaisons with other service clubs to see where we can assist each other. Together, we can achieve more and make a greater impact. Upcoming Event: Tri-Club Zone Chair Meeting I’m pleased to announce that we have tentatively scheduled a tri-club Zone Chair meeting at the end of November. This will be a wonderful opportunity for all three clubs to come together, collaborate, and celebrate our achievements. Embrace Change and Growth Past practices are not set in stone. As we move forward, let’s be open to change, recognizing and revitalizing the contributions that have made us strong while leaving behind anything that no longer serves our mission. I am confident that by working together and adapting to our ever-changing environment, we will evolve into even stronger clubs. I look forward to all we will accomplish together this year. Let’s strive to thrive! Warm regards, Shelley Sweeney Zone Chair, District I – 9 Report from D I – 9 clubs Over the past year, all three of our clubs have been deeply committed to serving our communities in various impactful ways. While membership has grown in one club, two of our clubs are experiencing a decline. We’re also facing the reality that many of our members are getting older and are finding it more difficult to participate. Despite this, the demand for our involvement in the community remains high, highlighting the need for us to attract a younger demographic who can carry the torch forward. Membership Challenges and Opportunities It’s clear that we need to focus on drawing in younger members who can bring fresh energy and ideas to our clubs. This is crucial if we are to ensure the longevity of our service and continue making a difference in our communities. I am encouraging everyone to think about ways we can reach out to younger people—whether through social media, community events, or personal connections. Addressing the Website/Portal Concerns I also want to address a concern that has been consistently raised across all three clubs: the ongoing frustrations with our website/portal. Many of them have shared the difficulties in maintaining records or even accessing the information they need. I share the frustration, as I have been waiting for over a month to gain access to the Zone Chair documentation and website. While we all understand that there can be hiccups when rolling out new systems, this issue has persisted for too long. The inability to access critical information is not only frustrating but also hampers our ability to function effectively as clubs. I want to assure you that I am actively working to ask for their patience, but I am also stressing the need for your persistence in making sure this gets resolved. Moving Forward Together Despite these challenges, I believe in the strength and resilience of our clubs. By working together and focusing on solutions, we can overcome these obstacles and continue to thrive. Let’s keep the lines of communication open and support each other as we navigate these challenges. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our shared mission. I look forward to seeing us all grow stronger together. Warm regards, Shelley Sweeney Zone Chair, District I - 9.