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| The Rotary Glenferrie stand at the Swinburne Expo. Shining a light on Rotary programs for youth. |
The Rotary Glenferrie team consisted of Carol Benson, Geoff Widmer, Cheryl Pisterman, Maria Pantling, Chris Raw and Paul Shekleton who manned the booth in two shifts of two hours.
The Expo went from 10.30am to 2.30pm (including “bumping in and out”) with the University providing the stall infrastructure, so all we had to do when we got there, was to arrange our stall and start to attract passers-by. Luck was with us as we had sunny weather, as our stall was in the open but on “Main Street.” This is where you do your best business, as all the student foot traffic had to pass by us from the University to get to the main student Atrium area.
The Rotary Glenferrie team had handouts that asked the question: “What can Rotary Glenferrie do for tertiary students and graduates?”
To this end we had the following discussions points:-
- Attend a Rotary Glenferrie evening meeting
- Offer a structured mock job interview program
- Participation in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award program (RYLA)
- Training in safely sailing a tall ship at sea.
- Rotary International scholarship
Our Rotary Glenferrie team did an excellent job at the Expo, engaging with the students with passion and humour. We had forty-nine students visit us and learn about what we had to offer. Each received a Rotary Glenferrie card with our contact details for their follow-up with us and a “flyer” with club contact details. By far, the most discussed areas of interest were the “Mock Interviews” and RYLA. It was an important participation for the Youth Service Committee as it has given the Committee data on student priorities, important in determining future engagement strategies with the student youth sector in the Boroondara catchment.
A great day of club fellowship and engagement with Swinburne students.
Geoff Widmer and Mark Howlett