Serving Rotary as an international committee member is a great way to gain global contacts and experience in your industry while using your professional skills to help the organization. Previous leadership experience in Rotary isn't required, just the skills and willingness to serve. Here's how four Rotary members took a nontraditional path to gain international leadership experience.
Amanda Wendt, Rotary Club of Melbourne, Australia
Committee: Communications, 2018-21
Since joining Rotary at age 26 in 2010, Amanda Wendt had been a club president, served as district public image chair, traveled with her district on a humanitarian trip to Cambodia, and spoken at a Rotary convention breakout and zone institute. But as far as formal leadership roles in Rotary beyond the district level, she had none.
"That quickly changed," she says, after she became aware of the opportunity to serve on Rotary's international committees after a chance conversation in 2017. "I jumped at the opportunity to put my professional experience to use," she says.
In her career, Wendt, a marketing and communications specialist, coaches entrepreneurs and leaders on building their brands. Since earning a bachelor's degree in business, with an emphasis in marketing, in 2005, she has led marketing campaigns, producing social media, video and photography, digital content, advertising, and more. She has managed large-scale behavior change programs to achieve government-policy reform and coaches organizations on attracting millennials as staff and customers.
Wendt decided to leverage her expertise by applying to serve on Rotary's Communications Committee. She held that role for 2018-21 and served as the committee's vice chair in 2019-20. "These opportunities to gain experience are far and beyond what most young professionals get to experience in their workplace," she says. "It's truly one of Rotary's competitive advantages."
Wendt says serving on the Communications Committee is one of her favorite Rotary experiences so far. She enjoyed the opportunity to work with and learn from members around the world, rolling out global initiatives while learning about cultural nuances and localized program considerations. "It furnished me with experiences, skills, and a network that young professionals are eager to achieve but may be waiting some time to realize in their career," she says.
Her time on the Communications Committee led to additional speaking opportunities on Rotary's brand and communications as well as on connecting with younger members. Now she's getting additional district leadership experience, too: she's serving as 2022-23 governor of District 9800.
Needles Escobar-King, Rotary Club of Panamá Norte, Panama
Committee: Strategic Planning, 2020-24
Professional background: I worked most of my professional life with the UN/UNICEF in positions where strategic planning was my bread and butter. My work experience took me to multiple continents. I thought I could be of use to Rotary, given that knowledge.
Rotary background: I joined Rotary in 2015 and became very involved with project activities with my club, including playing an instrumental role in organizing an Interact club in the secondary school I attended. Besides participating in several Rotary Conventions, my experience has been at the club and district level.
Why I was interested in international committee experience: This opportunity allowed me to see the organization from a different perspective. I got to know Rotarians from other districts, whom I otherwise might not have met.
Bobbe Barnes, Rotary Club of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, USA
Committee: Audit, 2020-23
Professional background: I worked with Price Waterhouse in Toronto, then moved to academia in the accounting programs at the University of Texas and University of Colorado. I later moved to Central Asia and became the technical accounting expert for a USAID project, working with international and local experts to develop a training program for accountants. The program is ongoing.
Rotary background: I joined the Rotary Club of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to expand my network and meet other local and expat leaders of the country. I became involved in the club by helping implement the financial aspects of the global grants we were awarded and serving as the liaison to the Rotaract club. After I returned home, I became a charter member of the Rotary Club of Fair Oaks Ranch.
Why I was interested in international committee experience: I wanted to serve beyond the club level in order to give Rotary what it had given me during my years overseas. I became involved in the district as a district treasurer and grants subcommittee chair. Then I saw that Rotary was calling for volunteers to serve on committees. I applied to serve on the Audit Committee as I found that best matched my expertise.
Vino Sookloll, Rotary Club of Phoenix, Mauritius
Committee: Communications, 2020-23
Professional background: I am a branding and innovation, design, and marketing communications consultant. I've been running my own agency for the last 40 years, and served as the president of the Association of Communications Agencies of Mauritius.
Rotary background: I became a charter member of the Rotary Club of Phoenix in 2003. I have been leading major communications projects for my club and the district (9220) for many years. In addition to becoming a Communications Committee member, in 2020 I became an Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Zone 22.
Why I was interested in international committee experience: Joining the committee allowed me to bring my concerns about improving the tools available for building a public image to the people working on these issues at the international level. This year I am chairing the Building the Rotary Brand subcommittee. I feel at home, surrounded by passionate members. I hope those joining next year will share that same spirit of continuous improvement.