Council approves fifth Avenue of Service

A growing number of Rotary clubs have found that focusing on the environment helps them bring in new members and gain visibility in the community.
愈來愈多的扶輪社發現，重視環境有助於吸引新社員，在社區內贏得能見度。

The Rotary Club of Duluth Superior Eco , Minnesota, USA, was chartered in November 2008 with the purpose of attracting younger people by being project oriented and environmentally minded.
美國明尼蘇達州的杜魯司優質生態扶輪社，於2008年11月獲得授證，其宗旨為透過以環保為重的計畫來吸引年輕人入社。

Club president Marti Buscaglia says the club founders reasoned that young people would be more likely to have time on their hands than disposable income, and would be more engaged if they could take part in hands-on projects for a cause they felt strongly about. The club now has 54 members, most under the age of 40, and mostly women.
社長Marti Buscaglia表示，創辦人認為年輕人應該較希望自行安排時間，而不是耗費於追求個人收入上，若能為了自己深有所感的因素而親自參與計畫，理應會更加投入。該社目前有54名社員，大多數未滿40歲，而且以女性居多。

"The eco brings them in, and then they learn more about Rotary," says Buscaglia. "It's a good introduction to Rotary for younger people. They know they are going to be involved in something they personally care about."
Buscaglia說：「生態一字吸引他們加入，從此更深入瞭解扶輪。這是向年輕人介紹扶輪的大好機會。他們瞭解到正準備參與自己深深關切的事務。」

Buscaglia says conducting green projects has also given the club increased media coverage. "It's a hot topic right now, something everyone is reporting on," she says. For Earth Day, 22 April, the club is planning a large beach-cleaning project. Members have also planted trees and pulled buckthorn.
Buscaglia說，推動綠色計畫也提高了扶輪社的媒體曝光率。她說：「生態環保是目前炙手可熱的話題，每個人都會報導的話題。」該社在4月22日的地球日，舉辦了大型清海灘活動。社員也種樹與拔除鼠李。

"Having eco in the name sends a message that we are different from other clubs in town," Biga says. "We are going to attract more younger people because the environment is very appealing to them. I also like themes. It seems people really gravitate to something if there is a theme involved to direct your activities."
Biga說：「社名加入生態一語，傳遞出本社不同於鎮上其他扶輪社的訊息。我們打算吸引更多年輕人加入，因為環境對他們深具吸引力。我也喜歡有主題的事物， 因為人們對於有一特定主題的活動，似乎較容易受到吸引。」

Robert Hunt, who now lives in Florida but often attended club meetings in Duluth, took the concept with him to the Rotary Club of East Manatee, where he serves as club president. Hunt says that being green has helped the club attract members, make a lasting impact on the community, and gain exposure for Rotary.
Robert Hunt目前住在佛羅里達州，經常參加杜魯司市的社務會議，他將這項概念帶回自己擔任社長的東海牛扶輪社。Hunt表示，環保已協助該社延攬到社員，對社區亦帶來深遠的影響，為扶輪社贏得曝光率。

"Prospective members who have the same mindset will naturally be drawn to the prestige of what an eco-club can offer them," he explains. "As we build more awareness, education, and identity, the membership will naturally increase."
他解釋道：「懷抱著相同看法的潛在社員，自然會聽聞到生態扶輪社能提供的內容而受到吸引。隨著我們逐漸打造出認知、教學和特質，社員自然而然會增加。」 

The East Manatee club conducts a road cleanup every three months, sorting out anything that can be recycled. It also held a successful shred-a-thon in March, encouraging community members to bring in old documents to be shredded and recycled. During a fall festival, club members collected hundreds of disposable plastic bottles in special containers they provided for the event.
東海牛扶輪社每隔三個月舉辦道路清掃活動，著手進行垃圾分類。該社在3月還成功舉辦了廢紙回收活動，鼓勵社區成員帶廢紙前來撕碎並回收。在秋天的活動中，社員透過專為這場活動而提供的特殊容器，收集了數百個廢棄塑膠瓶。

Biga sees more and more service organizations adopting an environmental slant. "Green products are everywhere," she says. "Everyone is becoming environmentally conscious. Service organizations have to be on board with the trends and with what's appealing to people."
Biga看到愈來愈多的服務社團以環保為口號。他說：「環保產品隨處可見。人人變得愈來愈有環保意識。服務社團必須趕上潮流，掌握何者能吸引人們。」