Rotary International is the world s first and leading service organization. Rotarians form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time, talents, and resources to serve their communities and the world. Rotary has rich, sometimes complex, traditions and structures which can be confusing to new (and not-so-new) members. This presentation outlines the Rotary basics, the fundamentals that make every member even prouder to be a Rotarian. The brochure Connect for Good, formerly called Rotary Basics, displays and amplifies the information in this presentation. Connect for Good or Rotary Basics appears in the August Rotarian magazine. It is available from RI for $1 (publication 595) (bulk rates available). It may be downloaded at http://www.rotary.org/ridocuments/en_pdf/595en.pdf Or at https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/document/576 1
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Rotary s official emblem is the Wheel, which is recognized worldwide wherever Rotary projects, meetings and activities are happening. The wheel has been the symbol of Rotary since 1923. We will learn about Rotary by building the wheel. 3
The hub of Rotary is the local club. Rotary is essentially a grassroots organization, with most service efforts carried out by local Rotarians. There are more than 34,558 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs foster strong fellowship among Rotarians. Clubs are the catalysts for meaningful community and international service projects. 4
The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, formed in 1905 by Paul Harris. He was an attorney, lonely in the big city, who wished to capture in a club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name comes from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices. Soon, the club did a community service project, a public toilet. Rotary spread. Within a decade, clubs were chartered from San Francisco to New York to Winnipeg, Canada. By 1921, Rotary clubs were thriving on six continents. A year later, the organization became Rotary International. Rotary s mission expanded beyond serving members professional and social interests. Rotarians began pooling their resources and contributing their talents to help those in need. Rotary's reputation attracted presidents, prime ministers, and a host of other luminaries to its ranks among them author Thomas Mann, diplomat Carlos P. Romulo, humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, and composer Jean Sibelius. 5
Rotary s structure begins with the local club, the hub of Rotary. Each club elects its own officers and enjoys considerable autonomy within the framework of Rotary s constitution and bylaws. [Tell about our club s officers, board, and history.] A technical point: Rotarians are members of the local Club. The club is a member of Rotary International. Clubs work together in groups called districts. Our District 6040 includes 56 clubs in Kansas City and north Missouri. There are 541 RI districts in the world, each led by a district governor. Our district governor this year is Cassy Venters (pictured with her husband, PDG Jerry). The Governor-elect is Ralph Cupelli. The Governor is supported by assistant governors and various committees. The District s purpose is to support the clubs. Rotary International is governed by a 19-member Board of Directors, which includes the RI president and president-elect. Directors are elected by representatives from the districts. The RI president, elected annually, develops a theme and service emphases for the year. Rotary International is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois. There are seven international offices in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland. 6
The first spoke to the Rotary wheel are Rotary s guiding principles. One reason Rotary has been so successful is the clarity and consistency of these guiding principles. 7
Our motto, Service above Self, exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the over 1.2 million members of Rotary. It is a constant challenge to all Rotarians. 8
Formulated first in 1910, and adapted as Rotary expanded, the Object of Rotary succinctly states our purpose. The Object sets continual goals for all Rotarians. This slide paraphrases the Object, which is, in full: service; FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian s occupation as an opportunity to serve society; THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian s personal, business, and community life; FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. 9
A second spoke to the Rotary wheel is the Four-Way Test. The Four-Way Test is our ethics, how we go about everything we do. 10
The Four-Way Test is followed by Rotarians around the globe in their personal, business and professional lives. Its words were written by a Rotarian, Herbert J. Taylor, in 1932. He was asked to take charge of the Club Aluminum Company, facing bankruptcy in the Great Depression. Taylor drew up this 24-word code of ethics for all employees to follow. The Four-Way Test became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with suppliers and customers. The company survived. The Four-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943. Translated into over 100 languages, it is used by organizations and individuals worldwide. Herb Taylor became president of RI in 1954-55. 11
The guiding principles are in place, and the Four-Way Test outlines the ethical way to achieve them. To organize how Rotarians and clubs engage in Service Above Self, there are four avenues of service four areas in which to demonstrate service. 12
Club Service is an avenue of service. It focuses on making clubs strong. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan. [Share the committees/assignments relating to club service such as programs, membership, secretary/treasurer, greeter, social, club communications/pr, Web-Page, Sergeant-at-Arms, etc. Invite the new member to serve on a committee/assignment, if this is where their interests are.] Discuss and talk about: Officers and board. Share committee structure programs, membership, sec/tres, greeter, social, club communications/pr, Web-Page, Sergeant-at-Arms, etc. Invite member to participate on a committee. 13
Vocational service reminds Rotarians to serve others through their occupations and professions, and to practice high ethical standards. Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society. [Describe our club s activities to promote vocational service, such as reciting the Four-Way Test, coordinating career days or student visits at club meetings, giving awards or recognitions, etc. Invite the new member to serve on a committee/assignment, if this is where their interests are.] 14
Community service encompasses the projects and activities our club undertakes to improve life in our community. Wherever there is a Rotary club, there are local Rotary projects that benefit the youth and adults in the area. Community Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest. [Highlight our club s community projects, and the committees/assignments that make them possible. Invite the new member to serve on a committee/assignment, if this is where their interests are.] 15
International Service is the avenue of service to those beyond this nation s boundaries. Rotary s humanitarian efforts encircle the globe, promoting world understanding and peace. International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding. We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more. Later slides focus on The Rotary Foundation s role in international service. Here, focus on our club s international projects. Tell how we contribute to District 6040 s Shoes for Orphan Souls (photo on left). Also, how Rotarians have contributed since 1985 to the Polioplus campaign to eradicate Polio from the planet (photo on right).] 16
Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as: Rotaract a service, leadership and community service organization for young men and women between the ages 18 30. Rotaract brings together these young adults in universities and communities worldwide to organize service activities, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun. Rotary clubs sponsor them, but Rotaract members manage and fund their clubs independently. Rotaract members work closely with their local Rotary club, and may join after their Rotaract membership ends. Interact a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. Interact clubs organize at least two service projects a year: one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding. While Interact clubs receive guidance from individual Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards RYLA a leadership development program run by Rotary. While participants can be any age, most events focus on secondary school students, university students, or young professionals. RYLA events are 17
typically 3 10 days long and include presentations, activities, and workshops that cover a variety of topics, including: Leadership fundamentals and ethics Communication skills Problem solving and conflict management Community and global citizenship and Rotary Youth Exchange a study-abroad opportunity for young people (ages 15-19) who spend anywhere from a few weeks, to a full year, as an international student hosted by local Rotary clubs. Costs vary from country to country. Local Rotary clubs generously host students and provide room and board with a host family and a small monthly stipend. Participants are generally responsible for: Round-trip airfare Insurance Travel documents (such as passports and visas) Spending money, additional travel, and tour fees Students apply through a local Rotary club, at least 6-12 months before leaving. [Discuss students your club has hosted, or has sent abroad.] 17
The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation. It enables Rotarians to pool our resources in order to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, supporting education, and alleviating poverty. Interesting historical note: In 1917, RI president Arch Klumph suggested an endowment fund to finance Rotary s mission. After the RI convention in 1918 held in Kansas City the proceeds (after all bills were paid) of $26.50 became the first contribution to the Foundation. 18
As the world s leading non-government, non-religious humanitarian foundation, The Rotary Foundation has many programs accomplishing various important missions. In a few minutes, we will highlight only some key points. [More details are listed in the bracketed background material below.] First, the Every Rotarian Every Year initiative simply means that each member should give regularly to the Foundation. The recommended level is $100 per year (or more). [Describe how our club facilitates payment of each Rotarian s contribution.] When a Rotarian s gifts total $1,000, he or she becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. Second, Polioplus is the name for Rotary s dream of a polio-free planet. In 1985, Rotarians committed to eradicate Polio. The first few years, members gave $247 million to finance the effort, which has swelled to over $1 billion. It s more than money. With our community-based network worldwide, Rotary is the volunteer arm of the global partnership tackling polio. Rotarians assist in vaccine delivery, social mobilization, and logistical help. More than two billion children in 122 countries have received the oral polio vaccine. Now, polio hangs on in only three countries. Currently, The End Polio Now campaign involves a $355 million challenge grant from the Gates Foundation. The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Centers for Disease Control are also partners with Rotary. Third, The Rotary Foundation administers educational programs scholarships, Peace fellowships, and vocational exchanges. [Mention when an exchange team last visited our club.] Fourth, The Rotary Foundation awards grants for clean-water wells, medical care, literacy classes, food programs, and other essentials of life throughout the world. Some grants are within our District, and some clubs here coordinate grants with foreign clubs. The Rotary Foundation has provided over $2 billion in grants since 1947. [MORE DETAILS ON THE ROTARY FOUNDATION: The Foundation has three main funds: Annual Programs Fund, which provides grants and awards through Foundation programs Permanent Fund, an endowment from which only part of the earnings are spent for Foundation programs, ensuring the long-term viability of the Foundation PolioPlus Fund, for funds designated to eradicate polio. Clubs and districts receive and administer Foundation grants for many worthy projects worldwide. GRANTS District grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in your community and communities abroad. Each district chooses which activities it will fund with these grants, such as: Humanitarian projects, including service travel and disaster recovery efforts Scholarships for any level, length of time, location, or area of study Vocational training teams, which are groups of professionals who travel abroad either to teach local professionals about a particular field or to learn more about their own. 19
Global grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary s areas of focus. Grant sponsors form international partnerships that respond to real community needs. Global grants can fund activities like: Humanitarian projects, which enable Rotarians to support international service projects that provide water wells, medical care, literacy classes, and other essentials to people in need. Rotarian participation is key to the success of these projects. Scholarships for graduate-level academic studies Vocational training teams, which are groups of professionals who travel abroad either to teach local professionals about a particular field or to learn more about their own. Rotary Peace Fellowships are awarded to students for master s degree programs in peace and conflict resolution and prevention, at the Rotary Peace Centers, lasting 15-24 months, with a practical internship of 2-3 months. 19
Now, we can take a deep breath because the wheel appears complete, until we think about.... 20
The key to it all You. Yes, you must become a Rotarian, committed to Service Above Self, who works within the hub of the club to achieve all that Rotary can be, and do for our community and the world. 21
Our club is the hub of Rotary, where the most meaningful work is carried out. Our club needs to be effective, which means we must: 1. sustain or increase our membership 2. participate in service project that benefit our communities and those in other countries 3. contribute to The Rotary Foundation 4. develop leaders capable of serving in the club, and beyond. To do this, each Rotarian must take responsibility. Attendance: Attending weekly club meetings allows us to enjoy club fellowship, enrich our professional and personal knowledge, and meet other leaders in this community. If we miss our club s meeting, we should make-up at another club. They are easy to find on www.rotary.org - search Club Finder. https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/search/club-finder Engagement is more important than rote attendance. Rotarians can engage by participating in club service projects. There are even e-clubs, where we can make up online. The key is perfect engagement, not necessarily perfect attendance. Service: All Rotarians are committed to Service Above Self, for our community and those in need throughout the world. Find the ways you will serve. Developing other members, especially new members: To keep our club strong, we each must share Rotary with others. Keeping members interested in Rotary is another responsibility. Good club fellowship and involvement in service projects are two key ways to sustain our membership. 22
We have covered a lot. Rotary, the world s oldest and most important service organization, works and helps in a multitude of ways. To help find your niche, you will have a mentor [give name]. To experience Rotary to the fullest, you and your mentor should follow a guide. The items are not tough. They are designed to get you going. You ve achieved one, at this information session. Attending 3 meetings each month for 3 months, or attending another club, introduces you to club fellowship. Greeting other Rotarians, and participating in a club activity or social, will guarantee you some new friends. Joining a committee begins your personal road to Service Above Self. Giving a vocational talk will enable others to get to know what you do, and allow you to relate your occupation or profession to Rotary ideals. Inviting someone to Rotary lets you show someone else what Rotary means and does. 23
Welcome! As a new member, you have the opportunity to become more involved in your community, and to help other parts of the world, through your club and Rotary International. Involvement is the key. Get to know your fellow Rotarians, and join arms with them to serve mankind. The clubs in our district are listed to emphasize the family of Rotary in this area. You are welcome at any Rotary club anywhere, where you will learn the local culture, where to go, what to do, and also see how Rotary enriches lives on this planet. Welcome to Rotary. The future of Rotary is in your hands! 24
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