Dumfries Rotary Club members have set themselves a centenary challenge to visit 100 other Rotary clubs worldwide before the beginning of its centenary year in July.
Leading the way in meeting this virtual challenge is Tom Marchbank, the club’s assistant district governor and acting secretary.
He said: “Members have really played into the idea of the challenge and the onset of so many meetings taking place by Zoom has enabled a fantastic number of ‘visits’ to take place.”
To date 86 Rotary clubs have been visited – some of them before lockdown but ranging from as far afield as Hawaii, India and South Africa to Wales, Orkney, Canada and California with England, Majorca, Lebanon, Lanzarote with clubs around Scotland sandwiched in between.
"The challenge has allowed the Dumfries members to extend greetings to Rotarians across the world and to learn of the many ways Rotary clubs contribute to their communities.
One club visited had a project to increase safety provision on the local surfing beaches, highlighting their support by providing safety kits including a beach towel branded for Rotary. Another funded a community café and shop in remote Nepal.
The Dumfries club recently supported school supplies and story books for Kenya and Sri Lanka, working with Troqueer Primary School and Dumfries and Galloway College.
Tom added: “A striking feature of many clubs is the occasional departure from the often perceived formality of suits and ties to shorts and T-shirts, weather permitting.
“Also it has become clear that what was perhaps seen more generally as a male-orientated club system, has certainly become much more diverse and equality based worldwide.
“This is a matter of great pride for the current membership of Dumfries Rotary Club as it starts to look back on its past achievements over the years but more importantly looks forward to its future.”
