President Ian’s Request for Support for DIK
At our last meeting and again in the last Bulletin, I mentioned that it is now possible to sign up online to volunteer for our club’s once-a-month working bee at Donations in Kind (DIK), held on the second Thursday of each month. When I checked yesterday, not one person had signed up. The process is very simple — just click the link below, enter your name on the form that opens, and tick the dates when you are available to join other Hawthorn Rotarians at the warehouse:
https://forms.gle/BRcRuVvXPXQnB8r8A
Don't forget to hit the submit button.
DIK is a program that Hawthorn supports financially, but part of our commitment as a club is also to contribute our time by helping at the facility. DIK provides us with access to goods for our projects. As an example, last year, I managed to access $3,000 worth of new goods to support Hope in a Suitcase at a nominal cost to us. Most of the stored items are free for us to direct to those in need. We just pay for transport.
These working bees are an important part of how Rotary’s donated goods are sorted and prepared for distribution to people in need. I am aware that some members have regular commitments on Thursdays, so are not available, but most don't.
At present, the response has been very limited. John Perry has indicated that he currently has only two volunteers. That places a great deal of pressure on him month after month, and it also sends the unfortunate message that our club is not willing to support the work practically.
What we really need is a small roster of five to seven committed volunteers for each Thursday, willing to help out throughout the year. I have committed myself to two of the four upcoming dates, and I hope a few more members will step forward so that we can share the load and properly support both John and the DIK program.
If you have not yet signed up, please take a moment to do so. It only takes a minute, and your help will make a real difference.
Let’s get behind John, support the Club and enjoy some fellowship while doing something valuable.