We are excited to share a new episode of our podcast, Cogs of Community, featuring a conversation with Dav Kowlessar, the president of Rotary Halifax Harbour. In this episode, we dive into the transformative concept of the One Million Club, an initiative aimed at making a million-dollar impact through collective efforts in fundraising, volunteer work, and community projects.
The concept of the One Million Club is not merely about raising a million dollars; it's about creating a million-dollar impact. As Dav explained, this initiative arose from the theme of Rotary Magic, which emphasizes leveraging our diverse skills and resources to make a significant difference. This year marks the last year that Rotary International is using a theme, making it a special and transformative time for our club.
Dav shared that our club is the largest in the district in terms of membership, with diverse individuals who bring various skills and resources to the table. Despite our size and efforts, we often find that the full extent of our work isn't always recognized. The One Million Club aims to change that by measuring and amplifying our impact across different dimensions – from volunteer hours to community projects and global grants.
One of the critical aspects of the One Million Club is how we measure our impact. Dav introduced the concept of chargeable hours at a rate, applying it to our volunteer work and project efforts. For instance, RibFest, one of our signature events, not only generates significant revenue but also involves over 500 volunteer hours from our club members. These hours, combined with the donations we make to various groups, contribute significantly to our overall impact.
Dav highlighted several specific projects that are part of this initiative, such as providing hampers to communities during Christmas and funding clean water projects in Ghana through global grants. These projects showcase the breadth and depth of our efforts, demonstrating how every contribution, big or small, adds up to create a substantial impact.
An exciting development in our club is the inclusion of corporate memberships. As Dav pointed out, this is a natural alignment for a club at the heart of Halifax. Corporate members can register multiple representatives, expanding our network and enhancing our ability to deliver impactful projects. This not only benefits the corporate members by allowing them to give back to the community but also strengthens our club's capacity to achieve its goals.
An essential element of the One Million Club's success is storytelling. By effectively sharing our story, we can attract more support, volunteers, and resources. As part of our social media team, I am committed to ensuring that we tell our story not to boast but to highlight the incredible work we do and inspire others to join us. Sharing our story increases our visibility and encourages others to participate in our projects or contribute to our cause.
The One Million Club is a testament to the power of Rotary and the magic that happens when we come together with a common goal. Under Dav's leadership, Rotary Halifax Harbour is poised to make a million-dollar impact, both locally and internationally. By leveraging our diverse talents, embracing innovative approaches, and effectively sharing our story, we can achieve and even surpass our ambitious goals.
If you are inspired by our mission and want to get involved, Rotary Halifax Harbour is always looking for new people of action. Take a look at our membership page to learn more. If you are not in Halifax, visit Rotary.org to find a Rotary or Rotaract club near you and become part of a global network dedicated to making a difference.
Stay tuned for more updates on the One Million Club and other exciting projects by following us on our social media channels and tuning into future episodes of Cogs of Community.
Watch the full podcast episode here: https://youtu.be/tiX4uU1c4p0?si=_XnI9-5cx76Rex_7
Listen on your favourite podcast app: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cogsofcommunity
