Growing Rotary with purpose
Corporate real estate
RC Navi Mumbai- Palm Beach, RID 3142
He joined Rotary in 2000, inspired by his late father Virender Makol, a member of RC Godhra. After moving to Mumbai in 2011, Harsh Makol became a charter member of the RC Navi Mumbai-Palm Beach. His defining “Rotary moment” came during a polio corrective surgery camp, where he carried a child from the operation theatre to the ward due to shortage of stretchers. The gratitude of the child’s mother deeply moved him, strengthening his “commitment to service.”
A Valentine’s-themed public image initiative titled Fall in Love with Rotary, encouraged members to introduce prospective Rotarians at a fun evening. The district has also launched a loyalty programme offering special discounts at partner retailers, along with a special Rotary pin.
After adding 400 members and seeing 300 exits within a short period, he shifted strategy toward “strengthening quality over numbers, closing non-performing clubs and reinforcing meaningful engagement.”
The district has undertaken CSR initiatives, including the distribution of pink autorickshaws to transgender individuals and widows, and bicycles to tribal students.
On the Foundation front, the district has set a target of $1 million and has already raised $800,000. He is encouraging clubs to prioritise global grants over district grants, with 10 global grants approved and 20 planned, involving 34 clubs, this year.
The district has started 10 new Interact clubs and seven Rotaract clubs. Under the Rotary Youth Exchange programme this year, seven Indian students will travel overseas, while seven international students will be hosted in India.
Strengthening fellowship, expanding service
Export-import
RC Dhamtari, RID 3261
He joined Rotary in 2010–11 after being introduced to the organisation by Rtn Dilip Mehta, a friend. A former Interactor, Rotaractor, and son of a Rotarian, Amit Jayaswal was closely connected to Rotary from a young age. He says fellowship and meaningful service attracted him most to this organisation.
Recalling a community service visit to a village school where Rotarians were distributing uniforms, books and shoes, he says the team expected a simple programme. Instead, they were welcomed with a festive reception, complete with music and cultural performance. The arrangements were organised by the school principal, Sumita Sahu, a beneficiary of the Rotary Jaipur Foot, who mobilised the entire village to thank the Rotarians for their work. “This experience reinforced my belief that Rotary’s service creates real and lasting impact.”
The district currently has a membership of 3,474. So far, 80 new members have been added towards a target of 100. This year, 28 new Rotaract clubs and 50 new Interact clubs have been started. As a charter Interact and Rotaract president himself, he is strongly focusing on youth development, “because the future of Rotary depends on young members.”
Key goals for the year include planting 50,000 trees, collecting 5,000 units of blood, and implementing weekly service targets for individual clubs. Seminars are being conducted by the district DEI team to promote awareness and encourage inclusive club environments, he adds.
From housing to healthcare
IT consultancy enterprise
RC Poona West, RID 3131
A Rotarian since 1996 and son of a charter member of Rotary Club of Poona West, Santosh Marathe has been actively involved in environmental and community projects since childhood.
RID 3131 has recorded a net membership growth of 430. Marathe emphasises retention and sustainable expansion over rapid or inorganic growth, encouraging clubs to induct one or two quality members at a time. His message to club presidents is to “go slow and go strong.”
In line with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), the district has launched a satellite club for transgender members and instituted a DEI Award to recognise corporates that implement inclusive policies.
The district’s total TRF-giving goal for the year is $4 million. A key CSR initiative, Project Ashiana, supplements the housing assistance provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. While beneficiaries receive ₹1.25 lakh under the government scheme, Rotarians and CSR partners contribute an additional ₹1.5 lakh to help complete the construction of homes.
Interact clubs in the district are active and engaged in meaningful projects. While urban Rotaract clubs are performing well, rural Rotaract clubs have faced challenges due to membership dues, leading to reduced village representation. To address this, the district is focusing on strengthening Rotary Community Corps (RCCs) in rural areas.
Focus on membership
Electronics automation
RC Bharuch, RID 3060
Amar Singh Bunet joined Rotary in 2006, inspired by the service culture of his home club, RC Bharuch. Regular visits to the M I Patel Rotary Youth Centre, a flagship project of the club, exposed him to Rotary’s community impact and motivated him to become a part of the organisation.
Membership growth is his key priority and he is encouraging clubs to maintain a minimum strength of 30 members, and “ensure timely registration of new members on rotary.org. I am aiming for a 10–15 per cent annual net growth and hope to inspire club presidents to induct more women and youth, and sponsor new clubs.”
Bunet emphasises personal engagement during official visits, by “listening to members’ concerns, and resolving issues promptly to maintain strong relationships and morale across the district.” The district is also committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by promoting balanced leadership opportunities across gender, age and vocation.
This year’s flagship projects in his district include providing freezer units for deceased persons to ensure dignity for grieving families and installing dialysis machines in select hospitals to make the treatment accessible and affordable. Rotaract and Interact are being strengthened through joint projects, mentorship, and leadership development programmes,“to build a strong youth pipeline.”
Collections towards annual giving are “steadily progressing, and several impactful grants have already been completed.” While there are minor challenges, continuous awareness about TRF keeps members motivated and committed to achieving their giving targets, adds Bunet.