Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia Visit Lincoln International Business School

On the 8th December, Lincoln International Business School were delighted to welcome members of Rotary to meet with staff and students.

Rotary’s core values of integrity, friendship, diversity, service and leadership resonate closely with what LIBS aspires to promote across its entire student population.  Rotary’s 46,000+ clubs around the globe work together to: promote peace; fight disease; provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene; save mothers and children; support education; grow local economies; protect the environment.

The organisation’s origins can be traced back to 1905 when Chicago attorney Paul Harris formed the Club so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Rotary grew rapidly around the globe and the first club in the UK was formed in London in 1912. There are now 1.4 million members of Rotary in over 200 countries around the world. Rotary’s mission is to “Provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders”.

Rotary has delivered a successful track record of achievements in Great Britain & Ireland too but despite its success, the organisation is facing a demographic challenge. Approximately 75% of its members in the UK are aged over 70 years and without decisive action there is concern that Rotary may go into a sharp decline. To prevent this, there is a growing recognition that Rotary needs to engage with the future generation. The purpose of the meeting held on 8th December 2022 involving Rotary members and LIBS staff & students was to explore ways in which we can achieve this. It was felt that an emphasis on diversity may be part of our success.

Actions were identified to move this agenda forward:

  • Develop a satellite club of Colonia Rotary Club of Lincoln within LIBS involving the student population.
  • It was suggested that the new club could possibly become a student society.
  • The University will cover the annual cost of up to 20 student members per annum.
  • Arrange a networking evening at the university early in the new year to enable students and Rotarians to become acquainted with each other.
  • Students would be encouraged to help with events such as the Lincoln Sausage Festival and the Santa Fun Run.

Identify a number of student projects aimed at:

    • Promoting awareness of rotary in younger generations through the use of social media
    • Engaging with local businesses to identify barriers to employees joining Rotary

If you are interested in participating with any of the above, please contact Professor Steve Armstrong – sjarmstrong@lincoln.ac.uk

Group Image of Rotary Club

Left to right: Peter Harold, Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia; Mary Hou, LIBS International Tourism Student; Roger Hall, Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia ; Rebecca De Souza, LIBS SU College Rep; Charlotte Taylor, LIBS Employability and Placements Officer; Dr Craig Marsh, Pro-Vice Chancellor & Director of LIBS; David Morris, Immediate Past District Governor, Rotary Club of Melton Mowbray; Steve Armstrong, Professor of Organizational Behaviour, LIBS; James Wood, Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia; Alan Dukes, President of a satellite club of the Rotary Club of Northampton.

 

Rotary Club Group Meeting