Satellite Club presentation

Chesterfield Rotary Club had lost 40% of its members, had an average age of 75, only 6/7 were active members and found it extremely difficult to recruit new younger members. Therefore, they took the decision to try and form a satellite club.


Our guest speaker on Tuesday night 20th August was Paul Davies, the Secretary of Chesterfield Satellite Club. 
As we at Newark Castle are seriously trying to form a satellite club in Newark, we thought it would be very useful to learn from an existing club. Pleasingly Paul agreed to come and share with us the main messages of their journey to create and grow to what is now a strong and active satellite club in Chesterfield.
Paul explained their parent club – Chesterfield Rotary Club – had lost 40% of its members, had an average age of 75, only 6/7 were active members and found it extremely difficult to recruit new younger members. Therefore, they took the decision to try and form a satellite club in Chesterfield.
Initiated by a small group of parent club members, they contacted local businesses (stressing CSR and networking benefits) – children and grandchildren of members – friends and neighbours – anyone who may possibly be interested!!!!
A meeting was arranged in a town centre restaurant. Food was provided and a brief presentation on Rotary principles and activities.  There were about 20 attendees at that first meeting.  People were encouraged to come to the next meeting and bring a friend. One firm sponsored three staff members. Paul said six of the original attendees are current members.
The first meeting was held about three years ago and now have 21 members and still growing. The age range being 22- 61 (Paul is the eldest at 61!)  They are all registered as Rotarians and members of their parent club Chesterfield.  However, the satellite operates as an independent group within the Chesterfield Club but do support each other where appropriate.
The satellite club meet monthly, on a Wednesday evening at 5.30pm at their local Rugby Club. They do not have a meal but do provide a snack at £5 per person. They operate with a Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer and discuss the community causes they wish to support and how, and their social events. Paul explained the many different service activities their group have undertaken. They are a very active group
Being a membership of younger professionals, they do experience mobility of members through career moves and family commitments etc, so recruitment is always on their agenda, with invitations to events, bringing along friends/colleagues, using local radio/press and now getting more active with social media.
Paul was obviously proud of their achievements during their first three years as a club and acknowledged they still had things to learn but they were equally determined to continue to enjoy themselves.
Paul delivered a professional presentation that was very timely from our point of view. We had invited three potential satellite members to listen and learn and proved to be very worthwhile, as they have agreed to meet up separately to hopefully help us take the next positive steps towards the creation of a satellite club in Newark.
John Barker

Related pages...

Mike Herbert Award

more The Club has recently received the Mike Herbert Award for Endevour along with a glowing recommendation Stella Herbert - District Executive Officer (Head of Membership) for District 1220

Newark Home--Start & Cancer Research UK

more Representatives from both Charities namely Sara Grant from Newark Home- Start and Ben Petts from Cancer Research UK were invited to speak at our Zoom meeting

The Lost Houses of Nottingham

more Graham Hayes, a Nottingham born and bred Rotarian, gave an illustrated talk on some of the many historic mansions and stately homes that once existed in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Hearing Ambassadors

more Hearing Ambassadors is for everyone, regardless of hearing ability.

District 1220 Ten-Pin Bowling Competition

more Wednesday January 22nd saw the Newark Castle and Retford clubs meet in the first round of the District 1220 Ten-Pin Bowling Competition.

Sports Volunteering

more When it was announced that London was going to host the 2012 Olympic Games Elaine thought that, rather than just going to watch, she would volunteer to help.

Pride in donating our dog to become a life-save

Support Dogs

more Support Dogs is a registered national charity dedicated to increasing independence and quality of life for people with various medical conditions. They provide, train and support specialist assistance dogs to achieve this.

L-R Mac Mallard (proposer), President Celia Smallwood, Susan Parker & President Roger Pykett

Susan Alice Parker joins the Club

more Sue is a recently retired CEO of her own IT Company

Mr Bob Hattersley is welcomed into the club

more Mr Bob Hattersley is welcomed into the club by joint Presidents Celia Smallwood and Roger Pykett

Nottinghan Tram Site

more The construction by NET 2 of two new tram lines from the centre of Nottingham to Toton and Clifton has created the opportunity for some of the largest archaeological interventions in Nottingham for many years.

Claypole Union Workhouse

more Peter Hammond an Archaeologist by profession explained that Sir Robert Heron, of Stubton Hall, had the foresight to set up a Workhouse in Claypole in 1821.

Vale of Belvoir Presentation

more Belvoir’s involvement with Uganda began twelve years ago through the efforts of Jane, who at that time was not a Rotarian, but who later joined V.o.B Club after attracting their support. In fact, around about that time she also visited our club.

The new school

Friends of Newark Orchard School

more The school has two sites, Appleton Gate for 3-4 year olds and London Road for 14-18 year olds.

16 July Visit by District Governor David Hood

more We were pleased to welcome our new District Governor, David, who came to give us his personal background and to expand upon his plans for Rotary throughout his year.

Trip to Veolia Recycling Plant

more On arrival we had simple Health and Safety talk and a fun test followed by a game which comprised of a large box of ‘Rubbish’ which we had to sort into Recycling ,Non Recycling ,Charity Shop Donation and Compost

Mothering Sunday & Constance Penswick Smith

more Constance Penswick Smith was born in 1878. She was the daughter of a Church of England priest and came to live in Coddington when she was twelve years old.

From Hill to High Water by Anne Lindley and Mick Curran

more All operational volunteers are trained to the highest standards and dedicate much of their free time to going on courses and attending exercise classes to maintain a good level of fitness.

Tango a new puppy recruit

Dogs for Good

more Ken Heathcote and Piper.

FISHTAIL FUND 19th March 2019

more The Fishtail Fund works in partnership with a similar trust operated by the Rotary Club of Pokhara Fishtail.

Stephen, Guy and John

Life Education Centre Nottingham

more Stephen, as Chair of the Trustees, came to express a genuine message of thanks and appreciation to our all our Club members who, over many years, had supported the charity through transporting the mobile classroom to and from many schools.

Leonardo da Vinci

Life and Achievements of Leonardo da Vinci

more Many regard Leonardo as a prime example of the universal genius or Renaissance Man.

back to page above this...

Past News and Events

back Newark Castle Rotary members are enthusiastic, fun-loving and active volunteers who give their time and talents to serve communities both at home and overseas. If you have a community project that you think may be of interest please get in touch.