From difficulties and frustrations to things finally looking up.

Being a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, I have certain requirements that are expected of me and that I WANT to follow. Presentations, service projects, being involved with the community etc.

This entry isn't about how to give a presentation, or how to come up with a service project. This entry is about what to do when you have difficulties booking a presentation with a Rotary Club.

Back at the end of September, Cerena, the other Rotary scholar with me in Neuchâtel, and I sent out an e-mail to 24 Rotary Clubs throughout Switzerland. The e-mail was written in English, French and German (We wanted to reach out to as many as possible what with Switzerland being so multi-lingual!) explaining who we were and if it would be possible to visit their clubs. It is now November 3, and we haven't received a response. To make matters worse, we hadn't even presented to our own club in Neuchâtel, even though it was talked about in the past... on several occasions.

So what do you do when you receive no response? You take matters into your own hands- that's what. We're Ah-Mericn' gosh darn it- we solve things ourselves :)

So Cerena and I planned a dinner a few weeks ago and invited both of our Host Councilors to attend so we could discuss our duties. Long story short, instead of us cooking dinner, my Rotary Councilor and his wife invited US to their house, and Cerena's Host Councilor had to cancel because his son was going to Afghanistan with the Red Cross the next day (very understandable). It was a productive dinner and we learned just how much our Rotary Club in Neuchâtel DID NOT understand our duties and responsibilities.

Lesson 1: Discuss well in advance EXACTLY what it is you need to do and is expected of you as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. While your Rotary Club may be knowledgeable of Rotary- they may have no idea what your purpose is. Educate them.

We discussed a possible service project, and explained that our presentations did not all have to be to Rotary Clubs. By the time we left, we felt much better about our situation (we also had reeeeeaaally great food).

Some time goes by... no response. More emails from Cerena and I are sent out... no response.

Let's fast forward a bit to about a week ago. We still hadn't heard anything from other Rotary Clubs, but finally received an e-mail from a Rotarian in Geneva asking all of the Rotary Scholars in the district (about 5 of us), to send him our CV (erm, resume) as well as check some personal information for him, so he could help us start scheduling our presentations to Rotary Clubs... in December. Well, I guess better late than never. I imagine it would be much easier to give presentations over the Christmas break as opposed to during the semester. He had also mentioned a conference in Bern in January (which I am going to).

Lesson 2: Take what you can get with gratitude. No matter how late you feel it is.

THEN a few days ago, I had a meeting with Monsieur Maillat, my Host Councilor, where we discussed the Rotarian Christmas Tree Project, their biggest service project of the year, as well as 3 organizations around Neuchâtel that Cerena and I could present to!

Cerena and I also received an email from a Rotary Club in London about attending a weekend conference in January. We're both signed up and just need to find transportation there!

Lesson 3: Say Yes to everything.

And finally, my last good news to write in this post: I FINALLY have my first presentation with Rotary scheduled (as of yesterday, actually)! It's about time right? I've been wondering since I've been here if other Rotary Scholars (particularly in Europe) have been having the same difficulties with scheduling presentations? Is this a cultural thing? Have Cerena and I not been proactive enough?

Lesson 4: Bug the crap outta them.

And yet, a part of me still feels like this isn't enough. While things have been looking up in terms of scheduling presentations with Rotary Clubs- I still feel WAY behind.

Some things Cerena and I have organized or are trying to organize:

- A presentation with the ERASMUS students to discuss Rotary and how they can apply for an Ambassadorial Scholarship (yes, if you are an Ambassadorial Scholar in Europe you can borrow this idea :P)
- English lessons to a Rotarian's son and daughter (Cerena has already done 2 lessons, I'm going with her on the next one)
- Volunteer work outside of the Rotary Club (trying to organize this one)
- Conference in London
- Conference in Bern


I need to remember to stay focused and proactive!