VOCATIONAL SERVICE IS BACK – And It Is HUNGRY!
Vocational Service (VS) has been hibernating for a few years. Very few Clubs have VS projects. Like a grizzly bear waking up in the spring, the District VS Committee wants to change that.
photo courtesy of Rotary International
The first change is to create a business-friendly culture in our clubs. Most of us work for a living. For some strange reason, Rotary developed a culture of pretending that we did not care about our businesses and professions. Rotary forgot its second objective: recognition of all useful occupations as opportunities to serve society. How is your club celebrating the ways in which your members serve society through their work? How are your club members supporting the occupations of other members?
You’ve heard of the Panama Papers? This “leak” of millions of documents reveals a sewer of ugly behaviour by some of the world’s leading politicians and corporations. We Rotarians claim to be encouraging and fostering high ethical standards in business and the professions. What are we doing to combat creeping corruption and cynicism in the world of work?
Actually, some of our clubs are doing great VS projects. Poulsbo has a Career Pathways program to help teenagers choose a career. Gig Harbor works with inmates to prepare them for work after they are released. Some clubs hold Career Fairs or conduct mock interviews to help youngsters get started. Now we need the other 75 clubs to engage with VS.
Want some ideas for VS projects? The District VS Committee is eager to speak to your club. We can appear in person or via the web anywhere in the District. Just contact Darwin Husa at 206-780-1819 or Darwin@husaco.com. VS Committee members are hungry for VS projects but they promise not to eat more than their share of the food at your Club meeting!