Vocational Service: Back to 1905 Basics

Posted by Jon Winston 
 
Tom Knott introduced his friend and former club-mate from the Rotary Club of Monterey Peninsula, Mary Margaret Fleming.  Today's talk, entitled "Vocational Service - Getting Back to the 1905 Basics" focused on the central role of Vocational Service as originally envisioned by Paul Harris and it's relevance to Rotary today.
 

Fleming's impressive resume reveals an outstanding record of service and volunteerism including contributions locally nationally, and internationally via Rotary and other organizations.  She is the recipient of numerous awards  of distinction and clearly has the passion and vision to make things happen.

 

She opened her talk by recognizing and thanking Tom Knott for his many contributions to Rotary.  She pointed out that when Tom served as President of the Monterey Peninsula club he did an exemplary job of inspiring the troops and instituting programs which ultimately lead to their earning the "Most Improved Club of the Year" award for District 5230.

 

According to Fleming, Paul Harris envisioned the 4 Avenues of Service: Club, Vocational, Community and International, as equals, yet each being infused with the cornerstone avenue: Vocational Service. As such, Fleming has prepared extensive materials for clubs to use which provide ideas, motivation and the tools needed to fully exploit the potential of each club's rich vocational diversity.

 

The primary document is the  Vocational Service Toolkit - Back to the Basics, Rotary 1905.  As noted in the introduction by District 5230 Governor August A. Hioco, "The Vocational Service Tool Kit is designed to assist you in the important task of guiding Rotarians to appreciate the link between the ideals of Rotary and their professions or trades."

 

Fleming, in her presentation, did an excellent job summarizing the "5 Easy Steps" outlined in the toolkit:

  1. What is Vocational Service?
  2. Your Role and Responsibility...
  3. Ideas to promote VS in your club...
  4. Action Plan
  5. Publicize your results

This 20 page document is packed with great advice and is a worthwhile read for all Rotarians, but especially club leadership and Vocational Services committee members.

 

Fleming closed her talk by presenting an 18 point questionaire that tests how well a club is doing vis-a-vis Vocational Service.  Like all good tests, this one is very practical and educational.  Asked in the form of questions, these are all excellent suggestions on how to integrate the ideals of Vocational Service into every aspect of Rotary life.