Why Rotary needs to keep adapting

Members of the Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala (from left) Tom Hotte, Karen Merritt, and Tony Park sort books for the club’s Great Book Sale. Silverman

By Herb Silverman, president of the Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala, Florida, USA

Rotary International has united people through service, fellowship, and purpose for over a century. From leading the effort to eradicate polio, to providing clean water and sanitation, to empowering generations of youth, we have proven what can happen when thoughtful leaders come together with a shared purpose of Service Above Self.

But what worked well for clubs many years ago is not necessarily the best set up for today. The world has changed, and people with it. Attention spans are shorter. Calendars are packed. People today connect over podcasts, group texts, livestreams more than over Tuesday chicken lunches.

That is why our club has embraced a format change that is more than just a new club format. We like to think of it as a movement, and we are encouraging other clubs to check it out. Our movement is grounded in purpose and shaped by modern realities. We are here for those who want to make a meaningful impact that is flexible and resolute.

Our members span six decades, from professionals, students, retirees, entrepreneurs, and more, each bringing unique perspectives to our shared commitment to service. Each one contributes in a way that gently enriches our collective spirit of service. We serve with intention: guided by what feels most meaningful and worthwhile.

Get In. Serve. Go Home

At the Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala, we believe in doing good work without adding unnecessary weight to your schedule. We aren’t looking for perfect attendance, what matters to us is impact, not formality. Whether it is a hands-on community project, volunteering independently, or collaborating with other local groups, we count all of it.

Our club strives to offer:

• Community Service: Being a driving force in improving Ocala and beyond.
• Networking: Connecting with passionate leaders, professionals, and creatives.
• Flexibility: Meeting before a project. Joining an event or volunteering solo. Whatever works best for you.

We like to say: Service should be meaningful, manageable, and motivating.

Preserving our roots, embracing new tools

Rotary was founded on face-to-face connection, and that spirit still matters. But so does reaching people where they are. Blogs, podcasts, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are not distractions; they are how we tell our story. How we recruit. How we inspire.

In today’s world, (especially for the younger audience,) most people have no idea what Rotary is. That is not a crisis. It is an opportunity. If we want to grow, we must stop hiding behind meeting schedules and start broadcasting our mission like the civic rockstars we are. Visibility matters – not for vanity, but for vitality.

Let’s talk about age

The median age of a Rotarian in the United States is almost 65 years old. That statistic speaks to a deep well of experience and wisdom. But it also reminds us that if we want to be here another 100 years, we must invite younger generations into the fold.

We have an opportunity to welcome them warmly by:

• Encouraging them to dive into it, in ways that suit their interests and availability
• Offering space to explore leadership roles on projects that inspire them
• Supporting their efforts to bring friends and peers into our shared mission

We are not asking them to fill our shoes. We are asking them to walk beside us.

Flexible. Affordable. Inclusive

Our membership model is designed for today’s lifestyle:

• Low initial costs keep Rotary accessible for new and younger members.
• We honor all volunteer work, even if it is outside Rotary.
• We welcome people of all denominations, industries, skill sets, and ages.
• We introduce giving to The Rotary Foundation over time, never forced.
• While we may not hold hands and sing, our spirit remains just as warm, welcoming, and united as ever.

We are not building a club that excludes busy people. We are building a club for people who are busy doing good.

What We Can Do Next

To ensure Rotary remains relevant, vibrant, and ready for the next generation, we believe clubs like ours can:

• Modernize communication: Use blogs, podcasts, and social media to tell our story and stay visible.
• Keep our message clear and consistent: Tell the world who we are, and why Rotary matters, again and again.
• Support members as they grow: Begin with low dues to make joining easy, then offer opportunities for deeper engagement, including giving, when the time feels right.
• Diversify intentionally: Welcome all backgrounds and ages to reflect the community we serve.
• Celebrate service: If you are doing good in the world, we want to hear about it and count it.

We do not need to reinvent Rotary. We just need a refresh. Our mission remains timeless. It’s our tools that should adapt.

We are proud to stand on Rotary’s century-old foundation while embracing today’s opportunities. We honor tradition not by repeating the past, but by building a future worthy of it.

Rotary is not going away. It is going forward.

Herb Silverman has been a dedicated member of Rotary since 1996. He served as president of the Rotary Club of Ocala Southwest and, later, envisioned and led as charter president the founding of the Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala, which was officially chartered by Rotary International in April 2025. He serves as the public image coordinator for District 6970.