Posted by Diana Nestorova on Jun 07, 2021
Ken Masson, of the Rotary Club of Merrimack Valley, has embraced the call for diversity, equity and inclusion in multiple ways this Rotary year. He personally has sponsored two new members to his club, broadening its demographic mix and improving its female representation while lowering club members' median age.
 
 
 
Thanks to Ken’s example, the Merrimack Valley club has added a total of three members this year, increasing its roster from 10 members to 13.  The club had not accomplished this membership increase in years, which makes club President Kenneth Berard "more optimistic about our club’s future."

Ken Masson has also driven change through the creation of our district's new Rotary Disabilities Advisers Group (RDAG), which he helped to found during this Rotary year. His passion for eliminating barriers for people with disabilities - and how Rotary can become more inclusive - has led to a group membership of more than 60 people from countries all over the world. RDAG has received district support, and Ken is currently working with Rotary International, to determine how RI can have the most impact. 
 
(Shown at right, is one of Ken's favorite cartoons on how people with disabilities are often regarded - and disregarded. To learn more, click here.)
 
Ken leveraged his professional skills, passion and belief in Rotary’s ability, to effect change by creating a movement/call to action that has rapidly expanded from a few like-minded people to dozens. He will tell you that this is not only the right thing to do but will also open opportunities for new members from communities that may have felt they do not belong in Rotary but still have so much to contribute.
 
The explosion of growth that Ken’s group has experienced this year proves that this cause-based initiative is well-worth pursuing. It is for these reasons that Ken Masson is one of district's Unsung Heroes for the 2020-2021 Rotary year.
 
For more information on our '20-'21 Unsung Heroes, contact District Governor Diana Nestorova at diana_nestorova@hotmail.com.