The newly chartered Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is the most diverse club in District 7910 - and maybe even the world. The 20 charter members represent eight countries - and 18 of the members are new Rotarians. It is also a comparably young club, with the average age being around 32.
The World Disability Advocacy club is cause-related e-club, and is affiliated with the district’s Rotary Disabilities Advisers Group. Since early this year, RDAG has been focusing on helping Rotary become more welcoming to people with disabilities.The new e-club's mission is to identify disability human-rights needs around the world. Once those needs are identified, the club will develop strategies to meet those needs by coordinating and teaming up with several entities around the world. They include local Rotary clubs, non-governmental organizations, municipalities and corporations.
RI President 
Holger Knaack (shown left) states, "I am incredibly pleased and proud to welcome your Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy for Central Massachusetts and Metrowest into the Rotary family. Rotary clubs provide a place for those with a passion for community service to connect, share ideas and discover how to improve the lives of others. I am delighted that your club will join us as we confront some of the world’s most critical and widespread humanitarian issues.
Holger Knaack (shown left) states, "I am incredibly pleased and proud to welcome your Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy for Central Massachusetts and Metrowest into the Rotary family. Rotary clubs provide a place for those with a passion for community service to connect, share ideas and discover how to improve the lives of others. I am delighted that your club will join us as we confront some of the world’s most critical and widespread humanitarian issues."Chartering a new club is exciting and challenging. The key to success is building a strong, engaged membership dedicated to the idea of service, ranging from local community-based projects to major global initiatives. Together, we will accomplish great things as we serve local and international communities as Rotary opens opportunities. Congratulations to the Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy. I wish you great success for many years to come."
“There is no oth
er club quite like this,” says Club President Ken Masson (shown left), who had - until RI approved the WDA club's charter this June 21 - been a member of the Rotary Club of Merrimack Valey. “Disability rights have always been lowered down in priorities in many human-rights endeavors. However, for us, it is our No. 1 priority - and we plan on having an impact in many counties.”The WDA club welcomes new members who share a passion for disability human rights. Those who are interested can e-mail our district's new e-club at rotarydag@gmail.com
For more information on both our district's brand-new Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy and its relatively new Rotary Disabilities Advisers Group, contact Ken Masson, club president and group chair, at kennethmasson@gmail.com.
