Understanding Rotary Part 5

WEEKLY DOSE OF ROTARY INFORMATION

BECOMING A ROTARIAN

                      ,

You need to concentrate on five things:

1.     Attendance

2.     Participation

3.     Education

4.     The Rotary Foundation

5.     The Four Way Test

1.     Attendance:  Only by being at the club often will you get to know your fellow members, will you get a strong feel for all that the club is doing and will you feel accomplished and satisfied with your membership. If you cannot make a meeting, you may do a "make up" in any of the 32,000+ Rotary clubs in the world. You may do this anytime in the two weeks prior to or two weeks after the meeting you miss.

2.     Participation: Do not wait for anyone in the club to ask you to get involved in the club's programs. Immediately find out about all the fund-raisers and community, club and international programs that your club is currently involved with and choose to participate on the committees of those that interest you. If you do participate, you will feel like part of the team and that will be extremely rewarding to you in the long run helping the club and helping personal growth.  For example, did you know that there is a club Technology Committee.  Join it and you can help with internal and external communication.  The website is extremely user friendly so you will also turn into a techie before you know it. 

     You can also do the attendance.  When Perfect Attendance awards are given out, you too can can have your certificate framed under glass - or make people think it was....... 

3.     Education:

a.      Attend a New Member orientation in the club or in the District

b.     Read the following items available through your club or on order from Rotary International

                                                              i.      The ABC's of Rotary

                                                            ii.      Getting Started in Rotary

                                                          iii.      Rotary Basics

c.     Attend at least two of your club's Board meetings.

d.     Visit two neighboring clubs.

e.      Attend the District Assembly.

f.       Attend the Roast and Toast.

g.     Serve as a Greeter at one or more meetings of your club.

h.     Give a self bio talk at a club meeting.

i.        Provide one guest speaker for you club.

j.        Always noticeably wear your Rotary Pin.

4.     The Rotary Foundation:  As mentioned in last week's Dose of Rotary Information, PLEASE try to go out of your way and donate at least $100 per year towards the Annual Giving programs of the Foundation - double sustainer at $200 helps that much more.

5.     The Four Way Test: This is a simple credo of Rotary International and you should try to live your everyday life by its four principles:

a.      Is it the truth?

b.     Is it fair to all concerned?

c.     Will it build good will and better friendships?

d.     Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I am certain that if you follow the above guidelines, you will feel rewarded, fulfilled and will have made yourself a proud Rotarian.