Vocational Service - The Essence of Rotary

The Object of Rotary is a philosophical statement of Rotary’s purpose and the responsibilities of Rotarians. The concept of vocational service is embedded in the second Object, which calls on Rotarians to “encourage and foster”:

• High ethical standards in business and professions.
• The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations.
• The dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

As a Rotarian, how can you put these ideals into action? Consider these suggestions:

• Talk about your vocation in your club, and take time to learn about fellow members’ vocations.
• Use your professional or other skills to serve a community through a project.
• Practice your vocation with integrity, and inspire others to behave ethically through your own words and actions.
• Help a young person achieve their career aspirations.
• Guide and encourage others in their professional development.

If you do any of these things, you are performing vocational service. And if vocational service motivates and interests you, then you’re in the right place, because it is the very essence of Rotary. It is what sets Rotary apart from other service organisations and is apparent in every avenue of service.

At club level, this means being able to identify the vocational skills of our members and others. For example, we have access to engineers and builders who can help us build a school in a remote community, we have access to doctors and nurses who can provide medical support where it’s really needed and teachers who can provide skills to assist with many Rotary youth development programs and in vocational training in developing countries where such skills are needed. The list is endless.

The only unique feature of Rotary is vocational service; everything else that we do is repeated by some other organisation. If we have a special message or mission in the world that is unique to ourselves, it lies only in the realm of vocational service.

Vocational Service as a Membership & Public Image tool

Vocational Service should be seen as a part of every avenue of service and also as a potential marketing tool for membership development and enhancement of public image.

Enhancing public image and awareness leads to more members and then to more service projects, contributing to an even better public image. When we talk to people about engaging in Rotary projects, it is most often their skills and experience that they have to offer. Vocational Service is basic to our organisation. When we join Rotary, we identify with our vocational experience, which requires that each club knows about the diverse experience it has available for project work. What do you know about the vocations of your club members or others in your community that could help with projects?

The Power of One – Means You!

Every Rotary project anywhere in the world started with one person who had an idea – and they developed and grew that idea using the huge, powerful network of Rotary to really make a difference. Ideas are only limited by your imagination and your willingness to ask the organisations and people in your community for their support, and in doing so, offering them the opportunity of a lifetime to be part of something great – a highly diverse and reputable international organisation which is anchored by its strong ethical core values. Rotary is in the business of making a difference, of restoring pride and dignity and of saving and improving lives of those who didn’t get our opportunities. We realise the difference a little of our time can make, what our skills can bring, by working together, sharing our talents, our knowledge and our experience with others, and by doing what we can, when we can with whatever time we have. This allows every one of us to continue to change lives and our communities for the better, by working together and doing all we can to identify people who want to help in what we do.

The goal of a person doing business is not only to earn a living. The purpose is to be a contributing member of the community, to make the community stronger, and to help make other people’s lives better.

Please join me in celebrating Vocational Service month by promoting the ethical core values of Rotary and doing something to gain a better understanding of the diverse vocational talents of each of your club members. You never know what you may find that could engage more of them.

We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing good for others.

(Arch c. Klumph)