RCOB New Member Orientation Session

On Saturday, 31 August 2013, the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas (RCOB) held a joint New Member Orientation that was very well attended by new Rotarians who were inducted into the organization within the past 1-5 years.

 

Throughout the day, various presentations were conducted by the more senior Rotarians, who spoke on Rotary’s history, objectives and future plans. PP Tim Ingraham, as RCOB’s Membership Chair, moderated the event and introduced each of the speakers. The first speaker was ADG Stan Charlton, who presented on the history and structure of Rotary International from a worldwide perspective. He also spoke on the importance of the Four Way Test and the Declaration of Rotarians in Business. PAG Charles Sealy covered the local history of Rotary in The Bahamas that highlighted RCOB’s current structure, leadership and role within District 7020. He also provided a brief history on each of the clubs that included a summary of their projects under taken over the years.  ADG Karen Pinder spoke on the four major points of membership that included: - (1) what clubs expect of their members (requirements); (2) financial obligations (dues); (3) attendance and (4) participation. She also spoke on the business aspect of membership that included Club By-Laws, Constitution, issues affecting members, leaves of absence (LOA), method of recruiting and disqualifying from membership.  The last speaker of the day was PADG Lindsey Cancino, who spoke rather passionately about the Rotary Foundation and the efforts of Rotarians to raise funds to eradicate polio throughout the world.

 

Overall, the event was informative, engaging and hopefully, the new Rotarians walked away inspired to learn more and do more within their clubs.