TheLoWDoWN - Rotary Down Under

WWendyWomen in rotaryGaboritDistrict GovernorD9520Rotary Club ofMobilong, SAHollyRansomPresident,Rotary Club ofCrawley, WAMy Rotary journey started in 1970when I joined the Rotaract Club ofWest Torrens, SA, as Vice Presidentin its charter year. My father was amember of Rotary and it seemed anatural fit, but my membership didn’tsurvive engagement and marriage.Some 35 years later, I made a decisionto put the corporate life behind me, toreturn to live and work in my home town,and to take time to connect with thecommunity and smell the roses. After12 months of badgering two RotariansI was invited to attend and eventuallyjoin the Rotary Club of Mobilong, SA.Eighteen months later I wasnominated for President Elect. It wasn’ta case of stating, “I’m not ready, I havemore to learn,” but rather just get inthere and do it. So that year, 2006-07,I challenged the club to join me on myjourney, to cast away the lines and toset sail into a new world.In 2008 District 9520 invited me tochair the RYLA seminar committeeand to coordinate the Club Visioningprogram. In 2009 I was invited toattend facilitators training with theRotary Leadership Institute and in 2010I was appointed Assistant GovernorGroup 3 and succumbed to pressure tonominate for District Governor.Compared to some, it’s been ashort but intense journey. My learningcontinues, my passion for Rotary andwhat we can do as an organisation isundiminished. My philosophy remainsthe same; “Lead by example, neverask anyone to do what you won’t doyourself, work to peoples’ strengths,ensure fellowship and fun underpinevery event, project or activity,and celebrate”. •Holly Ransom, right, with former USSecretary of State Hillary Clinton.WOMEN IN ROTARY14 Issue 548. March 2013