20 Answers to the question:                                            

Why Join Rotary?

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Personal Growth and Development: Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and education
   in human relations and personal development.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Fun: Rotary is fun, a lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. The club projects are fun. Social activities are fun.
   The service is fun.

8. 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.

9. 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 32,000 clubs in 200 nations
   and geographical regions. This means instant friends in both one's own community and in the world  community.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. The Development of Ethics: Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test that governs one's ethical standards.
     Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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 important to be nice.

19. The Absence of an “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.

20. The Opportunity to Serve: Rotary 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 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. “He profits most who serves best.”

THE FOUR WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do:

  1. IS IT THE TRUTH?
     
  2. IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED?
     
  3. WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
     
  4. WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED?

 

Rotary is a service club, a human organization founded in 1905, whereby people of like mind work together to serve others.
 

bulletThe benefits to Rotary to you will be derived through your interaction with other Rotarians in the pursuit of common goals.
bulletEssentially, Rotary is an ideal, an ideal in action. To be a Rotarian is to affirm that one should place "Service above Self" in all that one does and especially in our daily work.
bulletIn its short history Rotary has built up a district and international organization. That organization network is merely supportive of individual Rotarians and Clubs in their pursuit of the Rotary ideal. Knowledge of Rotary's structure is desirable for members, but not essential nor expected of new members. The path to Rotary knowledge is through involvement.
bulletWhile a new Rotarian may be happy to consider Rotary an ideal, continued involvement will lead to an appreciation of Rotary as a special experience. Interaction between Club members and Rotarians from other clubs will expose you to people of different faiths, opinions and nationalities, but all growing in fellowship. You will find yourself discovering, with other Rotarians, your responsibilities to each other and the power of your combined efforts in purposeful action.
bulletRotary is a means by which individual skills, your skills, may be enhanced by harnessing them with the skills of others to achieve a common purpose.
bulletThe factor that translates Rotary from an ideal to an experience is its humanity. Rotary is in the people-business. It is for people concerned about other people. Rotary is built around Club fellowship through which members may express concern for one another and out of which concern for others grows.
bulletRotarians are encouraged to belong to their particular trade, commercial or professional organizations, but are urged to refrain from dividing their interest and energies by accepting membership in other Service clubs. |