PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

I ended last week’s message by saying that “We must come together to find effective solutions to key organizational issues, ……. And suffice to say that the approach adopted will very much depend on the issue at hand.”

This week I would like to elaborate on consensus decision making.

I believe there are many misunderstandings about consensus decision making. Some people think of consensus as compromise, with everyone losing something in order to reach group agreement. Others view the word consensus as meaning unanimous agreements and assume individuals lose any right to disagree. There is no consensus about consensus.

Although there is no one definition for consensus, a common thread of meaning is giving everyone a chance to be heard and reaching a solution that all people in a group agree to support. We recognize that everyone need not prefer the final conclusion, just agree to support it.

Commitment is critical as different people have diverse information or viewpoints; and as such consensus is difficult to achieve when people have conflict about goals. However, most people have greater ownership and commitment when they have participated in a decision. Agreements and disagreements are a continuum that can develop a more realistic attitude about managing conflicts and reaching consensus.

We are a great club because collectively we contribute to the positive well-being of our organization.

Let us not pass judgments on others lest we ourselves be judged by others.

We are members of this organization because we can contribute in every which way we can. The attendance issue was taken this year as we wanted to highlight one of our primary obligations. And in that process, hopefully make us more aware of where we stand. If the goal of awareness has been achieved, then we are successful in this exercise.

Let us be committed to SERVICE ABOVE SELF and ROTARY SHARES.

It was the first time that technology was introduced in the camp. The photo-hunt, an activity to icebreak the Interactors from the various clubs, was indeed very successful as it allows young people to use their mobiles to take pictures for their hunt for the clues. It was very innovative and interesting, yet challenging. Themed ‘The ring – the symbol of co-operation’, the camp also included physical and mental activities such as rafting, flying fox, high rope and jungle trekking. The evenings provided the youths to express themselves – an opportunity for adults to listen to the values and opinions of teenagers.

The SuperCamp could be marketed throughout the District. It is something other clubs could learn from us. Much gratitude should go to Rtn Pua, PE Kevin, Rtn Eric and Anne Penny for their consistent commitment to these camps.

Installation of New Board