STUART GOLD TALKS TO PARAMUS ROTARY ABOUT RLI

Dr. Stuart Gold, Regional Vice Chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute, speaking of RLI at the Paramus Rotary Club’s meeting on September 24

The guest speaker at the Paramus Rotary Club Meeting of Thursday, September 24, 2015 was Dr. Stuart Gold a member of the Park Ridge Rotary Club. Stuart spoke to us about the Rotary Leadership Institute. RLI is an outgrowth of the District 7510 Leadership Institute founded in 1992. Although RLI is not an official program of Rotary International, more than 360 Rotary districts now offer it to their members in 193 countries and a resolution is before the board of directors.

What Is The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)? The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a series of fast-paced, interactive, one-day courses offered to refine a Rotarian's leadership skills and increase their base of knowledge in Rotary. Courses are fun, topical and interactive. They are geared toward busy business and professional people and community leaders who want to be more effective leaders in their vocation and club. They are also geared toward Rotarians of all knowledge ranges, from new Rotarians to those with 20 years or more of Rotary experience who want to make more of their Rotary membership. Attendees return to their club with enthusiasm, new contacts, fresh ideas, an increased understanding of their potential as Rotarians, and valuable skills impacting their potential leadership in the club.

The Paramus Rotary Club is part of the USA/Canada— Northeast America, Inc. Division (Home Div) All districts in Zone 32- 7210, 7230, 7255,7390, 7410, 7430, 7450, 7470, 7490, 7500, 7510, 7630, 7640, 7780, 7850, 7870, 7890, 7910, 7930, 7950, 7980, plus 7120, 7150, 7170, 7190, 7630, 7790. These clubs in the USA are located in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and W. Virginia. Additionally our zone includes clubs from Bermuda & part of Quebec, Canada. RLI is a grassroots coalition of Rotary districts implementing a leadership development program for Rotary Club members.

Established in 1992, RLI has become a worldwide organization with divisions in every Continent of the world. While it is an unofficial program of Rotary International, it has substantial support of a number of past Rotary International Presidents and current, past and incoming R.I. Directors. RLI believes that informing club members about Rotary is essential to the future of Rotary in a complex and fast changing world. Most Rotarians have not been exposed to the great scope of Rotary around the world and have not considered what knowledge and skills are necessary to move Rotary forward. RLI strongly believes that a good Rotary Club member must know the evolution of Rotary, its current status and activities in the world and have a vision for what Rotary can be in the future.

Therefore, RLI provides a three day non-consecutive basic course in both Rotary knowledge and leadership skills, especially for voluntary organizations. In addition to the specific knowledge based-sessions, all the RLI sessions have a leadership component. Part I covers the purpose and structure of Rotary, engaging members, goals and programs of The Rotary Foundation (TRF), ethics, service project implementation. Part II covers Rotary opportunities for personal and professional growth, global networking and RI structured programs as well as attracting members, targeted service, effective communications and insightful planning at the club level. Part III is about making a difference, as well as vocational service/expectations, international service, public image and public relations.

Stu noted that these RLI sessions are not lectures where participants sit and take notes. They are interactive and involve problem solving and role-play. In addition to the basic three day course, RLI holds in-depth seminars on important Rotary subjects, including leadership, for the “graduates” of the basic course. The overriding goal of the courses for club Rotarians is to create ENTHUSIASM for Rotary by opening up to them the world of Rotary outside of their own clubs and also showing them the great potential of Rotary service for the benefit of the world that can be furthered with excellent leadership in our clubs.

Stuart recalled the history of women being admitted to Rotary. When a Rotary Club in Duarte California brought in their first two women RI refused to accept them. It went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of admitting women. Ann Kilmartin and Linda Hanlon joined our chapter in 1987. By 1995 Rotary had eight women district governors. Stuart concluded his presentation by encouraging all members to participate in RLI programs. Said Stu, “the more you learn about Rotary the more, you love it.”