At the Rotary Club of Brisbane meeting on 14th October 2024, the presentation was delivered by Nigel Harris AM, with an update provided by Professor Pankaj Sah on the Queensland Brain Institute's (QBI) work. Professor Sah outlined the goals of the Chair of Neuroscience project, emphasising its significance in advancing research in neurological diseases, particularly dementia and Alzheimer’s, which are poised to become the leading causes of death in Australia.Nigel Harris then took the floor to discuss the broader ambitions of the project and Rotary's role in raising $5 million to establish a Perpetual Chair of Neuroscience. He began by posing several fundamental questions to the audience—WHY this project is important, WHY it will matter to people, WHY people will donate, and HOW Rotary can achieve such a significant fundraising target.
WHY This Project?
Nigel underscored the magnitude of the Chair of Neuroscience project, reiterating points made by Professor Sah about the growing prevalence of neurological diseases like dementia. He mentioned recent headlines highlighting that dementia is now overtaking heart disease as Australia’s biggest cause of death, framing the urgency of the issue. Establishing a Perpetual Chair in Neuroscience, Nigel explained, is not just about funding research but about ensuring that research continues indefinitely, driving healthcare innovation that will benefit current and future generations. He stressed that this project is uniquely important because it focuses on what may be the most significant health challenge society will face in the coming decades.
WHY Will This Matter to People?
Addressing the personal impact of the project, Nigel asked how many people in the audience had experience with dementia, either through loved ones or their own health concerns. He pointed out that the Baby Boomer generation, who are living longer due to advances in heart disease, cancer, and diabetes treatments, are likely to face neurological challenges as they age. With longer life expectancy comes new health risks, and dementia is at the forefront of these. This reality, he noted, makes the project highly relevant to a broad audience.
WHY Will People Give?
Nigel then tackled the key question of why people would donate to such a project. He highlighted that while the project is aspirational and important, it will take more than just the promise of significant outcomes to inspire donors. People don't give simply because a project is valuable or because institutions like QBI or Rotary are involved. Instead, Nigel explained, the key to successful fundraising lies in understanding the interests, motives, and aspirations of potential donors. Donors give not just money, but also time and voice, and these are all expressions of philanthropy—the “love of people.” He drew a direct parallel between philanthropy and Rotary’s ethos of “Service Above Self,” emphasising that fundraising is not just about the ask, but about creating meaningful connections with donors and inviting them to be part of something bigger.
Nigel clarified that QBI is a vital component of the project, as it is a conduit for the research and outcomes that will make a real difference in people's lives. Similarly, Rotary, with its rich history of service and community building, plays a crucial role in connecting people to the cause. However, neither QBI nor Rotary alone will inspire donations; it is the combined impact of these organisations, and the clear articulation of what the project will achieve, that will encourage people to give.
HOW Will Rotary Raise $5 Million?
Shifting focus to the daunting task of raising $5 million, Nigel acknowledged that it’s a challenging target, but also a realistic one when approached strategically. He emphasised that Rotary’s strength lies in its ability to connect people—a strength that has been demonstrated over its 120-year history. To succeed in raising this amount, Rotary must create a deliberate, organised, and systematic process to engage potential donors. This includes identifying people’s interests, framing the project in a way that resonates with them, and building a supportive constituency around the cause.
Nigel also touched on the importance of understanding who the potential donors are, where to find them, and how to gather and sustain their support. He emphasised that Rotary’s trust and credibility in the community are invaluable assets in this process. Rotary’s ability to create lasting relationships with donors—beyond just asking for money—will be key to sustaining support over time. This project, like all successful fundraising efforts, will depend on creating an environment where donors feel connected to the cause, where they see the impact of their contributions, and where their ongoing support is nurtured.
Rotary as an Agent of Change
Nigel closed the presentation by reflecting on Rotary’s role as more than just an organisation that “does things.” He shared his personal experience with Rotary, which began 45 years ago, and spoke about how Rotary changed his life on both a personal and professional level. He believes Rotary is not just a doer of things, but an agent of change—a sentiment that he encouraged the members to embrace fully in the context of this project.
He framed the project as a long-term endeavour that has the potential to make a profound difference in healthcare and society. This is not just about raising money for a project; it’s about changing the way we approach some of the most pressing health issues we will face in the future. Rotary, he argued, has a unique opportunity to be the driving force behind this change, leveraging its connections, influence, and credibility to inspire others to join the cause.
Nigel left the audience with a poignant challenge: “Do things or change things?” He emphasised that Rotary has the choice to simply do its part in raising funds or to embrace its role as an agent of real, lasting change. This, he said, is the question the club must answer as they embark on this ambitious journey to raise $5 million for the Chair of Neuroscience project.
https://www.nigelharris.com.au/
https://qbi.uq.edu.au/rotary-qlds-centenary-break-through-project-uqs-queensland-brain-institute