When someone asks you “Why should I join Rotary?”, you can start with these 20 reasons, and add more of your own.
20 Reasons to Join Rotary
Friendship: In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. It is one of two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.
Business Development: The second original reason for Rotary's beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.
Personal Growth and Development: Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and education in human relations and personal development.
Leadership Development: Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership: - learning how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.
Citizenship in the Community: Membership in a Rotary club makes one a better community citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the most active citizens of any community.
Continuing Education: Each week at Rotary there is a program designed to keep one informed about what is going on in the community, nation, and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different speakers and a variety of timely topics.
Fun: Rotary is fun, a lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. The club projects are fun. Social activities are fun. Serving others is fun.
Public Speaking Skills: Many individuals who joined Rotary were afraid to speak in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communication and the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.
Citizenship in the World: Every Rotarian wears a pin that says "Rotary International." There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club. Every Rotarian is welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of the 33,000 clubs in over 200 nations and geographical regions. This means instant friends in both one's own community and in the world community.
Assistance when Traveling: Because there are Rotary clubs everywhere, many a Rotarian in need of a doctor, lawyer, hotel, dentist, advice, etc., while traveling has found assistance through Rotary.
Entertainment: Every Rotary club and district has parties and activities that provide diversion in one's business life. Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies, and institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education, and service.
The Development of Social Skills: Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops one's personality, social skills and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people.
Family Programs: Rotary provides one of the world's largest youth exchange programs; high school and college clubs for future Rotarians; opportunities for spouse involvement; and a host of activities designed to help family members in growth and the development of family values.
Vocational Skills: Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth and development of his or her own profession or vocation; to serve on committees and to teach youth about one's job or vocation. Rotary helps to make one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.
The Development of Ethics: Rotarians practice the 4-Way Test that governs one's ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and person relationships.
Cultural Awareness: Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, color, and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. It is a cross section of the world's most prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians become aware of their cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere. They become better citizens of their countries in the process.
Prestige: Rotary members are prominent people: leaders of business, the professions, art, government, sports, military, religion, and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers, professionals - people who make decisions and influence policy.
Nice People: Rotarians above all are nice people - the nicest people on the face of the earth. They are important people who follow the policy of "it is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice."
The Absence of an” Official Creed": Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meetings or rituals. It is an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping others.
The Opportunity to Serve: Rotary is a service club. Its product is serving. Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else and to sense the self-fulfillment that comes in the process and return of that satisfaction to one's own life. It is richly rewarding.
As we continue our efforts to growing our membership, this coming Wednesday we are inviting strangers of Rotary to join us for breakfast to learn about our club and broader organization of Rotary. Please invite a guest or two to learn about our club and enjoy fellowship over breakfast. We will treat your guest to breakfast.
Well we had Loaves & Fishes twice last week. During Tuesday's snow storm, we served around 134. Thursday with nicer weather we hit 167 meals served. Thanks to all who helped!
With Neighbors, Inc having filled their need for volunteer shoppers this holiday season, we are shifting our efforts this year to support the Mendota Heights Police Department’s partnership with the Community Action Partnership’s Gifts for Teens gift collection program. We have five volunteer shoppers: Mark, Susan, Peter, Rayna and Anna. Thank you shoppers!
Margie Horning, our District 5960 Rotary Foundation Team Lead, gave a real fun presentation to us last week. She spoke about the RI Foundation. She asked us to be inspiring and make an impact. Margie told us about several funds available for you to choose when donating online. Learn more by signing in at https://my.rotary.org. Check in with Dave Hanson if you need your member number to set up your RI account.
The board is looking for creative fundraising ideas and a team to coordinate activities. Maybe we'll see a pickleball tournament next summer? Please contact any board member if you have some ideas. Thank you! Board members: Don McCall, David Miller, Susan Hommes, Valarie Namen, Alan Ruvelson, Mark Landy or Bob Gullick.
1 - Bob Gullick reported the club has about $13,000 to give away. Wine and Beer Raffle netted $3800.
2 - All the families for Neighbor's Holiday Gift Program were assigned. The board recommended we split the allocated $1500 between the police departments of WSP & MH. Mendota Heights has a "Toys for Teens" program we could buy gifts for.
3- Loaves and Fishes: November 29th and December 1st. Busy week for sure.
4 - David Miller will take over chair of Community Service.
5 - We are having a "Meet & Greet" breakfast on Dec 7th at the Copperfield. Board approved buying breakfast for any prospective member visitors.
6 - The next two Meet & Greets will be the first Wednesday of February and April of 2023.
7 - Alan Ruvelson mentioned that November is give to the RI Foundation month. Our November 30 speaker will address this effort.
8 - The board would like someone to help acquire grants for a skate part in WSP or MH.
9 - Alan will get a Camp RYLA speaker from the St. Paul Rotary for a week in January.
10 - David Miller and Dave Hanson will explore incorporating ZOOM into our weekly meetings,
Look at all of this and we even got done 5 minutes before 8:30a. Good job board members!
We will be meeting at St. Anne's Episcopal Church. The church is located at 2035 Charlton Road, Sunfish Lake, MN 55118. We will have an assortment of pastries available, as well as coffee. We have wonderful speakers so please plan on attending! Masks are now optional.
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