When Christine Rendell first joined the Rotary Club about 19 years ago, she wasn't entirely welcomed with open arms.
When Christine Rendell first joined the Rotary Club about 19 years ago, she wasn't entirely welcomed with open arms.
She recalled her first District Conference in May 2000 where a male member admonished the fact women were invited to participate in the club - so much so he nearly quit the club.
"A very vocal man stood up and lamented the day women were 'allowed' in Rotary," Rendell recalled. "I was actually speechless. The man did remain in Rotary for a few more years but every time I saw him or read his name it bothered me as I remembered his words. I was thankful however that most men in Rotary at that time did not feel that way at all."
Though the words were said almost two decades ago, and though the club had moved towards a gender inclusive approach years prior to that - women are still largely underrepresented within the organization.
That's why Cochrane Rotary Club, part of Rotary International which seeks to bring professionals and businesses together for humanitarian efforts, is hosting Women in Rotary - an event seeking to draw in and encourage women's participation in the club.
There are more than one million volunteer members internationally within the charitable club however the gender divide is closer to 75 per cent men and 25 per cent women.
In Cochrane, 30 members are men and only 11 are women.
Rendell, now the district governor nominee, where she will soon oversee 47 clubs and 1,830 members across the central-southern area of Alberta, is set to be a speaker at the event where she will draw on her experience as an active member in a Calgary Rotary club.
"I joined Rotary in 1999 as a means to network in my bankers role with ATB Financial and to give back to the local community. Since then, Rotary has become intertwined in our lives and our family," Rendell said. "We need more diversity in Rotary and women are one of those diverse groups we need to have in there."
Rendell said having women in the club offers a diverse perspective from men, including new ideas, maternal instincts and leadership. She looked back at one of her most memorable experiences in the club - one that she hoped changed the life of a young girl.
"I mentored a young Indigenous girl who lived in Calgary. It was through a program called the Tom Jackson Stay in School Program established for urban indigenous youth. She had a real tough time at home and in school. We bonded and shared things only a girl would share with an adult female who was compassionate about all she went through," Rendell said.
She took the girl to various Rotary events and eventually the club approved a budget to provide the girl with school supplies, a laptop and clothing.
"The mentorship lasted about 18 months before she moved to B.C. I'd like to think that I made a difference in her life," Rendell said.
Rendell will be the second woman in the district to become district governor.
"Fran Leggett from Lethbridge was district governor a few years ago and was a great leader," Rendell added.
Jeri Maitland, executive director of the library, is one of the women on the Cochrane volunteer board.
"It's kind of an old boys club and it was for a very long time, so they're trying to break that mold," Maitland said. " There are other groups in town that are incredibly male dominated and I think women question whether or not they're going to be welcome. Rotary is very open to women."
Maitland added it's just a matter of making Cochrane women aware the club is open to all and that diversity is encouraged.
Martin Parnell, Rotary president, said the club needs an overhaul in terms of its member representation.
"Ten months ago as a club we did a strategic plan for the club. This is one of the key items we wanted to look at and the reality is, Rotary - there's a lot of good things - but it's definitely an organization that needs to change," he said. "There's some work to do here. And we really believe Rotary has a lot to offer women in terms of areas to give back."
The Women in Rotary event will be held April 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cochrane Public Library. To register please visit http://www.cochranepubliclibrary.ca/
