An opportunity to reflect on Rotary’s purpose and values
What does 'service above self’ mean for you as a member of rotary? What does 'vocation' mean? Is Rotary’s 'four-way test' applicable for your work and community involvement?
I’ve been thinking about these mottos as part of developing projects to mark the centennial of Rotary in New Zealand in 2021. The Rotary Club of Wellington, which meets on Monday lunchtimes, was started in June 1921 and is New Zealand’s oldest club, a week older than Auckland! Researching the club’s archives and histories of the Chicago based Rotary movement and foundation has highlighted the central role of mission and values for this large international network.
I’m hoping some Rotary members might be interested in more in-depth exploration of mottos which can easily become superficial and taken for granted. I’m taking on a challenge from February of being a mentor for a learning group which will meet on most Tuesdays between 5.15 and 7.30 p.m. in central Wellington and work steadily through 4000 years of debate about big questions of meaning and purpose. Don't be put off by the title for this programme - 'Education for Ministry (EFM)'. This is action learning for busy people from a range of vocations, not preparation to become a church minister. The programme is based on Christian tradition but covers a variety of perspectives from other religions and is designed to engage atheists and agnostics.
My work at Victoria University's school of management as a teacher and researcher in the fields of human resources and public management means I’m constantly working with tough issues faced by people in a range of local and international workplaces. The reflection process devised by the United States developers of EFM is excellent and very relevant to Rotary's traditions and goals.
I've been persuaded to take on the challenge of jointly leading this EFM discussion group because I have gained considerably as a participant in earlier years. The course provides a process of reflection relevant for an era of digital disruption which is making work less secure, less personal and vulnerable to international trends. The programme does not have formal essays, tests or exams, but enables group members to debate current challenges with input from theology, the old and new testaments of the bible and 2000 years of Christian history, including 200 years in New Zealand.
2017 is a year of anniversaries which will prompt debate about ideas that shape our beliefs and actions. Five hundred years ago in 1517, Martin Luther challenged long established practices of the Rome-based church and launched the Protestantism. One hundred years ago in 1917, Lenin succeeded with establishing communism in Russia. Neo liberalism, a dominant force in New Zealand politics since 1984, is triggering political backlash such as Britain’s referendum about membership of the European union and the election of an outsider populist as president of the United States.
What ‘isms’, ideologies or theologies affect your work, community action and relationships? The EFM programme is a well-researched way to reflect on what you value most. It is a practical way of revisiting well tested mottos such as ‘service above self’ and your sense of ‘vocation’. I hope there might be a core of Rotarians interested in this group, where we can debate issues relevant for Rotary's centennial in New Zealand and hopefully turn ideas into action.
The EFM programme will meet at Wellington’s Anglican Cathedral, Molesworth Street, alongside Parliament on Tuesdays during school terms. Please contact me at Richard.norman@vuw.ac.nz, phone 463-5455 for more information.