Rotary Club of Enkare Narok: One of New Clubs in Rotary D9212

In this uncertain season, something beautiful and hopeful emerged in May. The Rotary Club (RC) Enkare Narok finally became a reality!

Its formation began earnestly in 2018 with a minimum number of six persons, or potential would-be members. These members were led by a young, energetic educationist Ms. Hellen Kisio, the current President-Elect (PE), and Ms. Sarah Tomno, the first lady of Narok County. Against all the odds, they took the early initiative to visit RC Karengata for benchmarking.

That visit in October 2018 was an eye-opener into the workings of a Rotary Club. They experienced firsthand:

1.The extended friendship and warmth of fellowship.

2. How meetings are conducted.

3. How directors share reports of their respective portfolios with club members.

The Making of a Rotary Club

Rotary has a robust system and procedure on how to start a new club. It’s so easy to follow and adhere to these requirements that it’s quite impossible to lose a single step.

This process starts at the District Governor’s (DG) office. 

PP Dan Munyori from RC – Karengata was appointed the District Governors Special Representative (DGSR). His role was to advise the new club on the fundamental requirements of the club. Essentially, matters on membership, classifications, roles, and functions of a RC in the community.

In perspective a DGSR ensures that the new club has adequate members who understand the requirements of being a Rotarian. He or she works closely with the new team of leaders. Effectively, assisting with registration and championing the effort from start to finish. In fact, the DGSR’s involvement after the club is chartered is very critical to its success in the first year. It has been likened to the mothering of a child.

The first requirement for a new club is a minimum of 20 charter members. In addition these members should have fully paid up for registration at $15 each. For RC Enkare Narok, the start-up membership number was 25. It’s important to note that, a potential Rotarian is an adult who demonstrates good character, integrity, and leadership. He or she has an excellent reputation within the community and is willing to serve it. The best place to look for these potential members is local business people, professionals, and community leaders.

Narok has significant potential. RC-Enkare Narok will thrive actively because the local communities in its locality have considerable needs. These are:

1. FGM and Early Marriages:

The populous and expansive Narok has several communities that still practice FGM and early marriages. There are currently a couple of NGOs involved in the development of rescue centers and the provision of community empowerment. RC Enkare Narok, in the spirit of Rotary, can leverage these existing organizations to partner and collaborate for highly impactful projects. Remarkably, on June 6, the club visited a rescue centre to donate food and dignity packs for the girls (see attached photos).

2. Accessible Clean Water: 

Narok suffers acute water problems that negatively impact the livelihoods of the community. RC –Enkare Narok in line with Rotary’s areas of focus will develop interventions that are supported by the Rotary Foundation (RF) to alleviate these problems. 

The Sekenani Mara water project is an excellent example of such interventions and of what collaborations between RCs can achieve. The project, with funding of about $7000 from RC Irvine, was implemented by RC-Karengata. It was recently virtually handed over to the Nashulai Community –the beneficiaries — by the new club.

3. Girl Child Education

Basic education is another area of focus for RC Enkare Narok. The girl child has been neglected in this area. Therefore the club, in liaison with the county education department, will oversee the implementation and success of this initiative. For example, it can consider vocational sensitization programs.

Membership diversity in this club will be synergized to engage potential people that appreciate service to humanity. Their collective knowledge and skills will be harnessed for the greater good and vibrancy of this new club.

With the above insights, DGSR Dan launched campaigns to ardently create awareness about Rotary as an organization. More importantly, the value to be gained from having a RC in the local community. 

In September 2019, the first publicity training was held at the Maasai Mara University. Unbelievably, over 200 people, including the university’s principals and lecturers attended. President Chebii and a team of 9 Rotarians from RC-Karengata were also present. This delegation’s presence and a presentation by IPP Jane and DGSR Dan bolstered the training to win the hearts and minds of the people present.

In the end, the aspiring club got 20 people who signed up and committed to be part of it. The new club has received its registration and is now awaiting the formal charter. This is likely to happen before the end of June. On June 4, DGSR Dan delivered a virtual training for RC-Enkare Narok on strategies for growing a new club. There were a total of 15 attendees, including RC-Karengata members.

Good luck and welcome to the fold, RC-Enkare Narok!

Article by: Njeri – Rotary Club of Karengeta