Our Nation's Diversity: A Key To New Zealand's Future Success - New Rotary Initiative

Rotary District 9940 is establishing a new online Rotary Club. This E-Club is based on the Rotary District's values of respecting, connecting and investing in the well-being and development of diverse local communities.

We are looking for people from many different localities, cultures and walks of life across New Zealand to gather together via the E-Club to change perceptions, increase understanding and inspire communities to thrive and improve their own self-worth and well-being.

Messages of Support For The Rotary E-Club of District 9940

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy - the initiative provides an excellent resource for communities to draw on a broad breadth of knowledge and insight for local issues and opportunities. We live in a culturally rich and diverse country populated with talented and experienced people. By developing channels such as this E-Club, social and cultural connections can be forged which are essential for creating vibrant and inclusive communities.

Office of Ethnic Communities Director Berlinda Chin - I congratulate Rotary on taking the initiative in supporting communities at a grassroots level to embrace our migrant and refugee population and recognise the advantages their diversity brings. I wish them every success in this venture and look forward to watching the online conversations develop.” The Office of Ethnic Communities works with public, private, non-governmental organisations and ethnic communities to develop integrated, resilient communities that recognise the social, cultural and economic advantages of a diverse nation.

Multicultural New Zealand Executive Director Tayo Agunlejika - The kopapa of New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils is to engage with diverse ethnic migrant and refugee communities to provide a strong collective voice and confidence to access and participate in the wider mainstream society. Thereby, cultural diversity becomes the mainstream and Multicultural New Zealand supports and congratulates Rotary for providing an online platform engaging with all cultures to empower our communities to improve their own social and economic well-being.

E-Club Coordinator Wheldon Curzon-Hobson - We passionately believe New Zealand will thrive as a result of sharing and bringing into reality the ideas and experiences of our diverse population." Wheldon is a Rotary District 9940 Leadership Development Trainer and Secretary of the Multicultural Council of Wellington. He was inspired to help set up the E-Club after visiting community leaders and social enterprises in South East Asia.

How It Works

Each week a Grassroots Community Leader from throughout New Zealand will share a description of their local community. E-Club Contributors will share online their diverse ideas and experiences about how the community could thrive and improve their own well-being. This will include sharing ideas on ways to maximise the benefits of diversity for the economic and social well-being for all.

Contributors' $5 per month subscriptions will pay for 300 Grassroots Leaders across Aotearoa New Zealand to receive ongoing training. These leaders will be upskilled to enable their communities to bring relevant E-Club ideas into reality.

The E-Club will hold media and local events to celebrate and increase awareness of how people from all of our many different cultures and walks of life are adding value to our nation and empowering communities to improve their own social and economic well-being.

To become an E-Club Contributor please join the Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/RotaryEClub9940 or sign up to the email list at

http://www.rotaryeclub9940.com/. Contact Wheldon Curzon-Hobson rotaryeclub9940@gmail.com.