Proposing a New Member
If you are considering proposing someone for Membership in our Club, this is a general guide for you. Specific details about the process will be found in the Club Policies particularly “Membership and Classification Procedures”. You should also refer to and use the other download files in the same sub-menu, especially the Potential Member Packet.
Every Rotarian has the right and duty to seek qualified members. In this way all members can help our Club achieve full representation of the business and professional life of the community.
Rotary was founded on the principal that leaders from various vocations best representing the business community form a club. The diversity of self-reliant personalities is an essential basis of a dynamic and interesting club. The right person for Rotary is an open-minded, honest, generous person with leadership qualities, who is prepared to share his/her professional knowledge and abilities with others. Rotary is by invitation. The most professional groups of people should be considered. Social status should be neither an advantage nor a disadvantage. Membership development is first and foremost a search for the right people and not for people with the right classification. (Policies)
This Club shall be composed of adult persons of good character and good business and professional reputation. There are two kinds of membership, namely: Active and Honorary.
Benefits of Rotary to Members:
Rotary membership provides the opportunity to:
- Become connected to your community;
- Work with others in addressing community needs;
- Interact with other professionals in your community; assist with RI's international humanitarian service efforts;
- Establish contacts with an international network of professionals;
- Develop leadership skills;
- Involve family in promoting service efforts.
Qualifications:
The person proposed for membership is expected to:
- Be a proprietor, partner, officer or manager of a worthy, recognized business or profession, OR (B) hold an important position in any worthy and recognized business or profession or any branch or agency thereof and have executive capacity with discretionary authority, OR (C) have retired from any position listed in 1 or 2 above. (Policies)
- All candidates must demonstrate high ethical standards by past conduct and personal knowledge of Rotarians, and not be a member of another service club (including another Rotary Club).
- It is preferred that candidates have lived, or have their place of business, within the territorial limits of the Club for a period of time sufficient to demonstrate active involvement in the community. (Policies).
Application:
The application is included in the the Potential Member Packet. The application should be completed primarily by the proposer and the applicant. A second Rotarian proposer will also need to be identified in the application. Please turn in the completed application to the Executive Secretary (Sandee).
What Potential Members Need to Know About Rotary:
Rotary has changed a lot over the years! When times were simpler, regular attendance at our Monday meetings was required, and we would have close to 200 members in attendance. These days, we realize there are members who are ready to be active, attending meetings regularly as well as attending service projects and social events, but there are also members who want to take a more-passive role, contributing to our major project fundraising efforts and paying dues. Either of these approaches are fine
ways to be a Rotarian!
IN SHORT:
- Potential members shouldn't base their decision on weekly meeting attendance.
- Potential members shouldn't worry about committing to projects taking your whole weekend
- Potential members shouldn't worry about a requirement to recruit other people
- Potential members shouldn't worry if you are not in upper management
SO WHAT WE DO NEED FROM NEW ROTARIANS?
- A Rotarian spirit, with new members finding avenues for service that resonate with them
- A commitment to building our Rotarian community by engaging with other Rotarians and the community about their Rotary experience
- An appreciation for our Club’s history, legacy, and a desire to leave their own positive mark
- A commitment to paying their dues and being a financially contributing member to the best of their ability
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND MEETINGS!
We schedule our meetings Mondays at 12:15 for lunch. Rotary’s rules for attendance are more relaxed than in the past, but they will enjoy Rotary more if they attend with great regularity! 100% should be their goal, and since it is easy to “make up” meetings at any other Club, and by attending certain RCOB events (such as a Board meeting or committee meetings), it’s easy to have good attendance.
We schedule our meetings Mondays at 12:15 for lunch. Rotary’s rules for attendance are more relaxed than in the past, but they will enjoy Rotary more if they attend with great regularity! 100% should be their goal, and since it is easy to “make up” meetings at any other Club, and by attending certain RCOB events (such as a Board meeting or committee meetings), it’s easy to have good attendance.
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES AND PROJECTS.
Committees are what drives our Club. From committees that make our organization run (such as Greeters, Invocation, Minister of Fun, AV, and the Tattler) to helping determine the areas of greatest need in our community (such as the Major Project Committee, Service Fund Grant Committee), our Club needs new members' expertise and help!
Committees are what drives our Club. From committees that make our organization run (such as Greeters, Invocation, Minister of Fun, AV, and the Tattler) to helping determine the areas of greatest need in our community (such as the Major Project Committee, Service Fund Grant Committee), our Club needs new members' expertise and help!
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO INTRODUCE OTHERS TO ROTARY MEMBERSHIP.
We are always looking for new and dynamic members. There may be friends and acquaintances from personal and business worlds who may be a perfect fit for Rotary and vice versa. We welcome any member to invite guests to a meeting, service, or social event. It’s that simple!
We are always looking for new and dynamic members. There may be friends and acquaintances from personal and business worlds who may be a perfect fit for Rotary and vice versa. We welcome any member to invite guests to a meeting, service, or social event. It’s that simple!
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO HONOR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO THE CLUB:
- (1) New Member Entrance Fee $150.00 (One time charge) ($50 of the charge goes to the RI Foundation and is matched by the RCOB – this makes you a Paul Harris Sustaining Member- when you attain $1,000 in donations to the RI Foundation you will become a Paul Harris Fellow)
- (2) $450 Annual Dues (non-tax-deductible)
- (3) $200 Annual Assessment for Basic Club Charities (tax-deductible)
- (4) $100 Annual Recommended Voluntary Rotary International Foundation contribution (tax-deductible)
50% of each of 2,3 & 4 is billed in advance by Email on Nov. 1 and May 1 for the coming half year with payment due 30 days later.
- You will also be expected to make a Club Major Project Donation: Each year members are expected to support at least one major project aimed at improving the quality of life in the Bellingham area by contributing to the annual RCOB fund campaign. Members are urged to contribute at least $750 - $1,000 to this project. If that is not possible, please speak with the club president.
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE PROJECTS AND SOCIAL EVENTS.
They will be invited to participate in service projects and social events throughout the year. We have plenty of opportunities to give back to the community and connect with fellow Rotarians. We will talk about these opportunities at meetings and information will be available on our website and
in the Tattler.
They will be invited to participate in service projects and social events throughout the year. We have plenty of opportunities to give back to the community and connect with fellow Rotarians. We will talk about these opportunities at meetings and information will be available on our website and
in the Tattler.
Other Obligations (From RCOB & RI Policies)
Members are also expected to understand and comply with the “Object of Rotary” and “The Four Way Test”.
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