Why Should I Consider Joining ROTARY?
FRIENDSHIP
Rotary provides for one of the most basic human
needs: the need for friends and fellowship. It is one of
the two reasons why Rotary started in 1905.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
This is the second original reason for Rotary’s
beginning. Everyone needs to network. Rotary
consists of a cross-section of the 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 has been compared to a
college education in Leadership; learning how to
motivate, influence, and lead leaders.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
Membership in Rotary makes one a better community
citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the some
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 for different speakers and different
topics to be discussed.
FUN
Rotary is fun. A lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. The
club projects are fun. Social activities are fun. And
service to others is fun.
PRESTIGE
Rotary members are prominent people -leaders in
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.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE WORLD
Every Rotarian wears a pin that says: Rotary
International. Every Rotarian is welcome, even
encouraged to attend, at nearly 32,000 clubs in more
than 200 countries. With more than 1.2 million
members there are few places on the globe that do not
have a Rotary club. 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 who has needed a doctor, a lawyer, a hotel, a
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 has conferences, 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, or who want to like people. FAMILY PROGRAMS
Rotary provides one of the world’s largest youth
exchange programs, high school and college clubs for
future Rotarians; and a host of activities designed to
help family members in growth and development of
family lives. | YOUTH PROGRAMS
iInteract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young
people ages 14-18. The program gives young people
an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service
projects while developing leadership skills and
meeting new friends.
PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS
Many individuals who joined Rotary were afraid to
speak in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill
in public communications and the opportunity to
practice and perfect these skills.
VOCATIONAL SKILLS
Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth
and development of their own profession or vocation;
to serve on committees and to teach youth about
one’s job or vocation. Rotary keeps to make one a
better professional.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ETHICS
Rotarians practice the Four Way Test that governs
one’s ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be
ethical in business and personal relationships.
LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE
The Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders is a week-long
leadership training program for high school juniors.
Daily activities include lectures, discussion, rap
sessions, and demonstrations of those principles
which enable an individual to lead others.
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 work with people
everywhere. They become better citizens of their
countries in the process.
NICE PEOPLE
Rotarians above all are nice people; the nicest people
on the face of the earth. They follow the policy of it is
nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.
THE ABSENCE OF OFFICIAL CREED
Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no
official creed, no secret meeting 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 business is mankind. Its
product is service. Rotarians provide community
service -to both the 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 the return of that
satisfaction to one’s own life. Rotarians believe in
Service Above Self. It is richly rewarding.
FOR THE CHILDREN
Rotary’s Camp Florida hosts many special needs
groups including children with cancer, spina bifida,
muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and birth defects.
Additionally, local and statewide nonprofit groups
working with abused or emotionally disturbed children
have weekend or held summer camps at the facility.
YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS
Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young
men and women ages 18 to 30. Young adults not only
augment their knowledge and skills, but also address
the physical and social needs of their communities
while promoting international understanding and
peace through a framework of friendship and service.
MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
Rotary is a spearing member of the Global Polio
Eradication initiative and is the largest private sector
donor. Rotarians have contributed more that $600
million to the Polio eradication activities in over 122
countries. |