Why Join Rotary?

Your Personal Commitment To Your Club

Your Membership PledgeYour club needs members to do work in the community and the world. The club needs quality members to attract more quality members. Your club needs you! Please commit to helping with the following commitmentSigning a membership agreement helps Rotarians consider specifically how each one of us can make a positive difference in membership1You CommitI commit to the following to help my club achieve an increase in club members through retention of existing members and qualifying outstanding community leaders to propose to membership.

Raise your hand if you have thoughts of an outstanding community leader to approach about joining Rotary. ( Ask that person how they might go about approaching that person.) 2The Elevator StatementHave an elevator statement (very short version as to what Rotary has meant to you and what Rotary is). Practice it and be prepared to share it.

The booklet The ABCs of Rotary is a good resourced for describing Rotary. Does someone want to share their elevator statement with us. 3Bring a guest!Once per quarter aim to bring a guest.

Follow UpFollowing up with the members (alphabetically 3 above and 3 below my last name) if they have missed a few meetings. Just to check on them and let them know they were missed. This helps your club find those who are having difficulties and may need your help. Sit With The New MemberMake it a point to sit with and orient a new member to your positive view of the club. Never let a new member sit alone.

Show Your Willingness to HelpLet your membership team know that you are willing to help--orientation, introductions, mentoring, classification survey, visiting key community leaders to qualify for membership, giving a brief talk to the club on why you are a member, leading an education session on what the club has done in the community through the years, work on PR which includes getting publicity for speakers and members, and whatever you can to help the club with membership. Does anyone have an additional suggestions that has been tried in your club7One Hour Per QuarterCommit to at least one hour devoted to club membership once a quarter. Wear your Rotary pin all days to encourage others to ask, what is that? Get serious about membership for your clubThe Ignite Pin signifies you have brought a new member into your club and retained that member.

Sign PleasePlease sign the pledge and keep it with you as a reminder of your commitment to your clubs membership goals. It takes each of us working together to make it happen. Why Join Rotary

20 Answers to the Question

1. FriendshipIn an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. This is one of the two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.

Tell my story of a neat place to meet great people to share lunch and vision. 112. Business DevelopmentThe second original reason for Rotarys beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consist of a cross section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other.

Initially I sought a group of inspirational friends to share lunch and a common vision. I learned my club supported nursing scholarships. This appealed to my employer, a kids psychiatric hospital interested in supporting nursing. As the hospital and Rotary began to interact the relationship became sybotic. Rotary provided shoes, socks and underwear for pts. Club members toured the hospital and began to spread the word about kids mental health. Our CEO attended our nursing scholarship Gala. Clarity CGC named a nurse of the year who was honored at the Gala. The connection continues123. Personal Growth and DevelopmentMembership in Rotary continues ones growth and education in human relations and personal development

IN the beginning I stumbled on my lines at my induction ceremony. But with practice I gained confidence. Eventually my efforts and my improved outward performance brought me a Rotarian of the year award from my club. Eventually I became VP and lined up speakers,meeting people from all over the city. Then I was asked to be club president. My involvement in the community grew as did my calendar. Amazingly all this happened during my husband struggle with cancer and my youngest children,twin daughters leaving home for college. Rotary met a vital need to have step by step task laid out before me as a anchor in a storm. Rotarians believed in me as I worked to create a new life as an individual apart from being the mom of four, a wife or a staff member in a hospital. 134. Leadership DevelopmentRotary is an organization of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership is learning how to motivate, influence, and lead leaders.

I think I was really inspired by Betty, a past club president and charter member who always seemed to get the big picture. She spoke about the clubs success of raising around $240,000 in eight years for nursing scholarships providing about 230 nursing students each with a $1000 scholarship. I was inspired by the older members of the club who for years served sometimes repeatedly as club presidents and proudly wore Paul Harris fellow pins with multiple saphire shones signifying each $1000 donated to the foundation. I found inspriation in our foundation chair who repeatedly shared the news on the success of Rotarys collaboration with Bill and Melinda Gates to wipe out polio. When past district govenor Sherri Muniz and her husband would return from working in India to innoculate the population I would be all ears hoping to get to Go. It was so amazing to see world leaders take the stage and tell us about being the RI international president and all the work being done to make a difference. It was neat to hear in my own club progress with Hunger plus. Watching so many parts of the Rotary wheel spin around but be held together as a whole made me realize that leaders were needed in so many areas that Rotary could use me. There are so many options regarding where each person may put their efforts. 14Citizenship in the CommunityRotarians are among the most active citizens in a community

Ask people to name some of their club projects that illustrate how active Rotary is in a community15Continuing EducationWeekly programs held at meetings inform Rotarians about timely topics

Ask clubs to name some of their most memorable programs16FunRotary is fun, a lot of fun

Ask Rotarians to share in a fun moment For me the nursing scholarship Gala, dancing with George Steinmetz , music, dinner17Public Speaking SkillsRotary develops confidence and skill in public communication and opportunities to practice and perfect these skills

I am testimony to that! 18Citizenship in the WorldEvery Rotarian wears a pin that says Rotary International. There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club, 34,216 clubs in 350 nations and geographical regions.

Please raise your hand if you have visited a Rotary club in another nation. 19Assistance when TravelingRotarians in need of a doctor, lawyer, hotel, dentist, advice while traveling often find assistance through Rotary

Please raise you hand if you found a Rotary club in another nation helpful to you. 20EntertainmentEvery Rotary club and district has parties and activities that provide diversion in ones business life. Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies and institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education and service.

District Assembly21The Development of Social SkillsEvery week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops ones personality, social skills, and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people.

Family ProgramsRotary provides on of the worlds 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.

Ask for an example call on a youth exchange committee member23Vocational SkillsEvery 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 ones job or vocation. Rotary helps to make one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.

Youth exchange on the committee to help returning students adjust to life back home after a year abroad.utilizes counseling skills24The Development of EthicsRotarians practice a 4-Way Test that governs their ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships.

Cultural AwarenessAround the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, color and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. Rotarians become aware of their cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere.

PrestigeRotary members are prominent people who are leaders of business, professions, art, government, sports, military, religion and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world..

Name prominent Rotarians27Nice PeopleRotarians 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 important to be nice.

The Absence of an Official CreedRotary 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 ServeRotary is a service club. Its business is mankind. Its product is service. 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; to sense the self-fulfillment that comes in the process; and the return of that satisfaction to ones own life. It is richly rewarding. Engagement Ideas for Members from RLI HandbookKeep your membership engaged through the use of exciting ideas such as: Pair bonding Place newer members on a Newer Member Classification Committee that reviews all club classifications and pairs newer members with experienced members. Pairs sit together during designated meetings at least monthly. Pairs could even become speaking teams together leading from the podium on club history, club projects, favorite make up meetings.

Do any of your clubs do this and how successful has it been? 31Web-ConnectedPost the name of every Rotarian in the club on the clubs website with their business name linked to their individual or company website (voluntary and with permission). Rotarians can mention their Rotary affiliation on their individual or company website and link back to their club website

Party TimeOrganize clubs to meet once a month at a non-Rotary place and time for a meet and greet social and networking session. Clubs may sponsor the costs or it may be arranged pay as you go for Rotarians with a very low cost. Mingling may be encouraged by use of varied passports or stations or use of other mixing strategies.

Oak Hills used stations at their Casino night.33Flash Mob ProjectCharge newer member committee with organizing and conducting a single or multi-club hands-on community service project, maximum duration 2 hours. Document with video or photos. Present report at regular club meeting.

How Do You InteractStart a Interact club at a school with the younger age now allowed (12 and up), in Middle School. Newer members lead the effort, work with the school sponsor, attend meetings and serve as Rotarian sponsor for the club.

A Minute in the LifeNewer members are scheduled for one-per-week, one minute club meeting podium summary of a job or career related service or product they offer, idea or opportunity in a one page written format. Talks stay on script, no ad libbing. Collect and post summary in the weekly club program or on the club website with a link or reference to their business.