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The purpose of this page is to give you a thumbnail sketch on what Rotary is all about.
Rotary was founded on the basis of exchanging information with people in diversified careers, fellowship and community service. It quickly became an idea whose time had come and spread into international service.
Rotary will also allow you the opportunity to make a difference in the world. Yes, the world. In 1985, Rotary International initiated a worldwide vaccine program. Its purpose was to inoculate the children of the world against the five major childhood diseases. As of January 1995 over 600,000 children in the world have been inoculated. This program wiped out polio in the western hemisphere as of September 1994. When this program is complete in the year 2005, Rotary will have directly or indirectly affected the lives of one out of four people living on the earth.
Come join us and become an active member of Bulawayo South. If you are looking for a way to serve your community, to make new friends, to make a difference in the community and in the world, come join us. You will be rewarded in ways you never imagined.
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ROTARY HISTORY
PURPOSE - SCOPE
Rotary began on February 23, 1905 in Chicago, Illinois. Paul P. Harris had invited three friends to explore his idea that had been developing for several years. The idea - a club of business and professional men who could and should be friends. Harris was a lawyer, his friends were a coal dealer, mining engineer, and merchant tailor. The aim of the first Rotary Club was the encouragement of friendship, fellowship and mutual assistance. It is significant that each of the members of the first Rotary Club was a comparative stranger from a small town who had come to that great metropolis of Chicago to go into business. Each felt a need for personal friendships to replace those severed by moving from their former homes.
The name "ROTARY" was suggested by Harris; prompted by the original plan of the club members meeting in rotation at their various places of business. As the membership increased, it became necessary to hold dinner meetings which later gave way to weekly noonday meetings. Contrary to general opinion, although Paul Harris was the originator of Rotary, he was not the first president. That distinction went to Silvester Schiele, one of the original four. Paul Harris became the president of Chicago Club No. 1 in 1907. Also in 1907 the first Rotary community project was undertaken - the establishment of public comfort stations in Chicago's City Hall.
Soon to follow was Club No. 2 in San Francisco, then Oakland, followed by Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and Boston. The first Rotary Convention was held in 1910 in Chicago with 29 members present, representing 14 of the 16 organized Rotary Clubs. Like wildfire the movement spread to Canada, England, Ireland, South America, the Phillipines and into Asia. Today the idea of Paul Harris and his friends has spread to 184 countries and geographical regions with over 1,157,000 members in over 26,000 clubs.
Statistics of Rotary's tremendous world-wide growth are impressive, but Rotary's accomplishments through the years defy expression in figures. The fellowship created, the improvement in the conduct of business and professions, the playgrounds provided, the crippled children helped, the student loans granted, the community betterment undertakings, the increased understanding among nations, the countless other achievements of Rotary Clubs, and the activities of The Rotary Foundation, all must be considered when viewing the progress of Rotary.
The objective of The Rotary Foundation is the achievement of world understanding and peace through international charitable and educational programs which include:
- Ambassadorial Scholarships - The world's largest privately sponsored international scholarship program has sent more than 21,000 scholars at a cost of more than 181 million dollars.
- Health, Hunger and Humanity Grants (3-H) - These grants fund large-scale, one to five year humanitarian projects. A total of 125 major projects in 44 countries have been approved and completed.
- Group Study Exchange (GSE) - These annual awards are made to paired Rotary Districts to provide travel and other expenses for a team of five young non-Rotarians from a variety of vocations, acting as Ambassadors of Goodwill. Rotarians in the host district organize a four to six week itinerary of educational and cultural interest.
- Rotary Volunteers - This new and expanding program pays the expenses of Rotarians and Foundation Scholarship Alumni who have volunteered their services and expertise in another country. Volunteers may be scheduled by The Rotary Foundation or they may identify their own service sites.
- Polio Plus - The largest project ever undertaken by a service organization - to immunize the children of the world against the crippling disease of polio. This program was initiated by The Rotary Foundation and culminated with contributions and pledges of more than $240 million. Polio will be a controlled disease by the year 2005 thanks to the generous contributions of Rotarians throughout the world.
Contributions are made to The Rotary Foundation through the Paul Harris Recognition Award Program. Clubs are encouraged to designate a Paul Harris Fellow with a contribution of US$1000 to The Rotary Foundation. This is the highest award a club can bestow upon a member or a non- member. Rotarians are also encouraged to support the Foundation by personally contributing US$1000 and becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Sustaining memberships are also available by making an initial payment of US$100 and paying the balance of US$900 over a period of time.
Contributions may also be made to The Rotary Foundation Endowment Fund by will, life insurance or other form of estate plan. Rotarians who make such a commitment are called "Benefactors". This is a permanent fund, and only the interest is used each year to carry out the Foundation's humanitarian programs.
DISTRICT AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS
POETS (President-Elect and Officers Training Sessions) are held to train club presidents-elect and incoming Board members. These training sessions are often combined with the District Assembly for all incoming officers and directors which provide motivation, inspiration, Rotary knowledge and instruction in administrative duties to those attending. The District Governor Nominee and the current club presidents are leaders of these "nuts and bolts" sessions. Attendance at POETS/ASSEMBLY DISTRICT is mandatory for all incoming presidents unless excused by the District Governor Nominee.
THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE - highlights the programs of Rotary through fellowship, inspirational addresses, discussions and social activities. It is a showcase covering all aspects of Rotary programs in the District - featuring all Youth Exchange Students, the visiting Group Study Exchange Team and much, much more. Each conference is assigned a representative of the RI President to attend in his place and to report on the district to the President. It is the culmination and celebration of the Rotary year. It honours and recognizes the work of the past year and outlines the goals and ojectives of the coming year. The District Conference is a great way to meet new people,learn more about the goals and objectives of Rotary and have a great time. All Rotarians and spouses are invited and urged to attend. Held in May each year at a venue determined by Conference in prior year. Estimated attendance 350-550.
THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION - is held annually in late May or early June and ALL Rotarians and spouses are invited. A tremendous gathering of Rotarians world-wide, held over a 4 day span with great speakers, excellent entertainment, home hospitality - the very best method of seeing the scope of Rotary - of meeting your counter-parts from the four corners of the world - an unforgettable experience from which a Rotarian comes home with a real knowledge of the internationality of Rotary. Registration fee includes specified entertainment and all plenary sessions. Estimated attendance: 20,000 to 30,000 each year.
If Rotary was a watch - Community Service would be the mainspring. Every Rotary Club, large or small, in every country is engaged in a community project of some nature. This Avenue of Service is where clubs and members exercise their community leadership. They see a need - they act - in working with and sponsoring youth centers, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, cultural development, community beautification, home safety, assistance to the aged, etc. The list is endless - only limited by the imagination and desire to serve by the members in a Rotary Club.
The Rotarian Magazine each month describes and pictures Community Service world-wide - U.S. Clubs promoting free enterprise through essay contests and seminars for students and teachers - Clubs in Mexico raising funds for construction of a home for mentally retarded children - camps operated in England for handicapped children with special therapy equipment and trained staff. The list goes on and on.
A community survey by a committee from the local Rotary Club will result in a list of many areas where help can be used - where people (the young, the handicapped, the aged) will be so receptive to a service that persons like Rotarians can furnish. Some projects may require money and a matching drive to obtain funds must be devised - other projects require only time or thought and the desire to serve others. Do not think that everyone is taken care of now by Government agencies - the person-to-person concern that can be shown by individuals and Clubs of Rotarians will never be equalled by a bureaucracy.
There is no Rotary Club anywhere that does not have a talent-laden membership who can easily fill a community need!! The list is endless.
Vocational Service is an obligation that derives from having a classification in Rotary. This Third Avenue of Service was actually one of the founding principles of Paul Harris in 1905 when he met with his fellow business and professional friends and yet, it is the area in which much work is needed. Clubs and members tend to stress and excel in the Club, Community and International Avenues rather than the one that is indigenous to Rotary membership.
The opportunity for the development of Vocational Service has no limits. Perhaps the most widely used approach is having each club member give a 5 minute talk on his/her profession or business about a month after induction. Employer-Employee day is held annually by many clubs - a great way to share Rotary and also foster a potential Additional Active member into the club.
Many clubs are now holding counseling days at the local high school, allowing soon-to-be-school leavers to listen and confer with business and professional leaders in the fields they may be interested in.
A recommended area for Vocational Service is a tour by members of a Rotary Club of local industries, hospitals, or schools.
Basic to Vocational Service is The Four Way Test as originated by RI President Herbert J. Taylor. This 24 word test of the things we think, say and do is a convenient and effective instrument of Vocational Service and is more fully described below.
Members are expected to adhere to the "Declaration of Rotarians in Business and Professions" which Rotary has officially adopted to foster high business standards and ethical practices.
We practice Vocational Service in our daily working schedule, but are we not selfish if we don't try to share the Rotary philosophy of fairness and truth with our friends and particularly with the youth of our community?
The Fourth Avenue of Service is perhaps the area in which Rotary is most outstanding. With clubs in 184 countries, Rotary has a unique opportunity to further understanding and world peace through the programs of International Service that include Special International Meetings, Educational and Cultural Activities, World Community Service and the programs of The Rotary Foundation.
International Meetings of Rotary present opportunities for fellowship and communication links that can last for years. These meetings include the annual Rotary International Convention and the Rotary Peace Forum.
Educational and Cultural Exchange activities include Rotary's Youth Exchange Program, Rotary Foundation Scholarships, Group Study Exchanges, Rotary Volunteers, and Grants for University Teachers to serve in developing countries. Some of these programs and the Rotary Foundation are described in further detail below.
Friendship Exchanges arranged through district or club officers offer an opportunity to visit in Rotarians' homes and experience hospitality in another land.
World Fellowship Activities is a program in which international friendships are fostered through hobbies and common interests ranging from "ham" radio to chess by mail, golf, travel and yachting. A wonderful way to broaden and enhance a hobby and make friends around the world.
World Community Service offers a range of activities through which Rotarians conduct projects to improve lives and meet human needs and thus promote international understanding and good-will by means of material, technical and professional assistance. Humanitarian assistance and development projects aimed at improving the quality of life and providing self-help in developing countries are targets for World Community Service. A listing of world-wide projects needing help in fields of health, community assistance and food is available from Rotary International or from www.rotary.org
Service by club members to the workings of their Rotary Club - that service that makes the Rotary wheel tum, providing the basic needs for good operation of a Rotary Club. The Standard Club By-Laws require that each club have the following Club Service Committees:
- Attendance: To encourage regular attendance, make-ups for missed meetings, promote incentives, find remedies for poor attendance, recommend dismissals for failure to meet requirements.
- Fellowship: To promote acquaintance and fellowship, create an atmosphere of cordiality and hospitality to members, guests and any visiting Rotarians. To keep membership advised of birthdays, anniversaries, special honors to members and those ill or disabled.
- Program: The heart of every good club. To prepare and arrange the programs for each meeting - balanced in subject matter and covering one of the Four Avenues of Service.
- Membership Development: To review continuously the club roster of filled and unfilled classifications and to present to the Board of Directors the names of suitable persons for membership.
- Classification: Concerns itself with eligibility for membership from the standpoint of the classification principle, remembering that classifications are determined by service to society rather than by position.
- Membership: Evaluate prospective members' character and reputation (both personal and company). Is the proposed member "service minded", can attendance at weekly meetings and financial obligations of membership be met?
- Rotary Information: Inform members new and old of the privileges and obligations of Rotary. This is a continuous program on the workings of their club, their district, and Rotary International.
These are the basic, required Club Service Committees mandated by the Standard Club By-Laws but there are many other committees used effectively by local clubs to fit their particular situation.
International Youth Exchange - An outstanding program of sending and receiving secondary school pupils betweeen the ages of 15-17 for one academic year to a foreign country. A careful selection at club and district levels, plus an orientation of students and parents is essential.
Parents of outbound students furnish transportation costs, health, accident and liability insurance. Host parents of inbound students provide room, board and exercise the same parental responsibilities as would the exchangees' own parents. The host clubs should provide a modest monthly allowance to the student, including lunch money while attending school.
Restrictions: Students are not allowed to travel outside the district without permission of club and district - not allowed to own or drive any motor vehicle., not allowed to drink or take drugs, and no dating.
Student commitment: Agree in writing to all requirements - exemplary conduct - place themselves under the authority of host family and host Rotary Club.
As the Youth Exchange Program is not part of The Rotary Foundation relatives of Rotarians are eligible to apply. The leadership of our District 9210 Youth Exchange Committee has been outstanding - a very time consuming, gratifying, exciting and fast growing part of the YOUTH programs in Rotary.
Rotary Youth Leadership Award - The object of Ryla is to provide an environment where future leaders will experience democratic living, be exposed to the challenges of life, and hear from leaders in business, military, religion, education and sports - and a chance to "rap" with the speakers in evening sessions. Capacity is approximately 150-200. The participants are well supervised and chaperoned. Afternoons are busy with games and athletics following the morning session of outstanding speakers. Transportation and tuition are paid by the sponsoring clubs.
Interact: - Clubs for young people ages 14-18. Organized by Rotary Clubs to develop leadership, personal integrity, thoughtful-ness, importance of home and family, respect for rights of others, dignity, the value of all useful occupations, and knowledge and understanding of community, national and world affairs.
The qualifications to be a Rotarian - an adult person of good character and reputation, with a position of executive capacity, engaged as a proprietor, partner, officer or manager of any worthwhile business or profession. The four types of membership are:
- Active - an Active Rotarian must perform at Ieast 60% of his/her work in the specified classification, and only one person may hold ACTIVE membership in any one given classification. Exceptions - religious, news media or diplomatic service. A Rotarian may live or work anywhere within the corporate limits of the club city or within the territorial limits of an immediately adjoining club.
- Additional Active - a second membership for another person engaged in the same classification as Active member and who must be proposed by the Active member. A third membership (second additional active) in the same classification maybe elected to club membership with the approval of the active member holding that classification provided he or she has been a Rotarian previously and has terminated membership in the former club and is no longer actively engaged in a profession in the territorial limits of that club. Additional Active has all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of an Active member.
- Senior Active - a Rotarian becomes Senior Active after membership in one or more clubs for 15 years or more; or who reaches age 60 and been a member for 10 years or more; or who is age 65 and been a member for 5 or more years. All clubs operating under the Standard Club Constitution and By-Laws are required to declare as Senior Active any member who meets any one of these requirements. Senior Active has all the rights, privileges and responsibilities as Active member - may hold office, must maintain attendance requirements, can propose an Active member but not an Additional Active member.
- Past Service - is an Active member who has lost classification without fault or retires from business or profession or who has been a member of one or more clubs for 3 years or more, or has attained the age of 55. This member no longer holds any classification, may not propose Additional Active but has all other rights, privileges and responsibilities of membership.
- Honorary - a designated membership for a person who has become distinguished by meritorious service in furtherance of Rotary ideals. An Honorary member cannot hold office, does not pay dues, cannot propose new members, does not need to meet attendance requirements but can attcnd all meetings and enjoy all other privileges. This membership must be re-established each year by the Club Board of Directors.
The classification principle of membership distinguishes Rotary from all other organizations. By accepting the loan of a classification, each Rotarian assumes an obligation to represent his business or profession in the club and to share the ideal of service with non-Rotarians associated in the workplace. It assures a membership which is representative of the business, professional and institutional life of the locality in which the club is established.
Classification - The principal and recognized activity of a firm, company, institution, business or professional endeavor. Classifications are determined by the activity or service to society rather than the position held by the individual. In other words, if president of a bank, a person is not classified under "Bank President" but under the classification of "Banking", or that person may be loaned the classification of the activity he or she is principally engaged in.
To be eligible for a specific classification, the proposed member should be generally recognized in the community as being primarily engaged in that business, profession or activity. In the fields of medicine, dentistry, law, etc. where specialization in a given field is recognized by a community, it is appropriate for the Rotary Club to establish and loan separate classifications to cover such specialized practices.
The Board of Directors of Rotary Clubs should annually update the listing of classifications in their community, showing the names of members and their classifications and the unfilled classifications that are open for membership. Rotary International publishes a list of classifications in a typical community, but clubs are urged to add to this listing and establish whatever classifications are needed in their area.
Balanced Membership: efforts should be made to maintain a well balanced membership in which no business or professional group predominates - allowing a club's membership to be representative of the business and professional life of the community.
Twenty-five charter members are required to form a new club and 13 must have Active member status while the balance can be Senior Active or Past Service members.
Membership in a Rotary Club entails responsibility for regular attendance. Rules for attendance, make up for absence from your own club and excuse for non-compliance due to age and years of service are defined and observed worldwide. The membership of any member, other than an honorary member, shall automatically terminate if, without consent of the Board for good and sufficient reason (see below), a Rotarian fails:
- To attend or make up 4 consecutive regular meetings, or
- To attend or make up at least 60% of the regular meetings in the first or second six months of the Rotary year, or
- To attend at least 30% of the regular meetings of the home club in the first or second six months of the Rotary year, or
- To be present for at least 60% of the time devoted to the regular meetings.
Credit for make up attendance is granted by attending any Rotary Club meeting 13 days prior to the home club regularly scheduled meeting or within 13 days immediately following such meeting.
Any Senior Active member who has reached the age 65 and with 20 or more years service or at age 70 with 15 or more years in one or more clubs may be excused from attendance requirements if applied for in writing and approved by the Board of Directors.
Attendance at District meetings (District Conference, PETS/Assembly) and International meetings (R I Convention, Regional Conference, or Officers' Institute) shall qualify a member for being present at his own club as do attendance at Rotaract, Interact or Village Corps meetings provided such meeting falls within the time frame as described by the Standard Club Constitution.
A member's absence shall be excused if caused by protracted ill health or by stay of more than two weeks in a country having no Rotary Clubs. Authorized leaves of absence granted by the Club Board of Directors exempt the member from attendance requirements but the excused member is counted for club attendance purposes.
All attendance rules apply to all Active, Additional Active, Senior Active and Past Service members as provided above.
Every Rotarian knows The Four Way Test
The Four Way Test of the Things We Think, Say, or Do.
- IS IT THE TRUTH?
- IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED?
- WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED?
The Test was written in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor, who had been assigned to represent the creditors of the Club Aluminum Co. and whose task was saving the company from bankruptcy. He decided that the near defunct corporation needed something that his competitors did not have in equal amounts - the character, dependability, and service-mindedness of their employees.
He discussed the four questions with four of his department heads - one Roman Catholic, one a Christian Scientist, the third an Orthodox Jew, and fourth a Presbyterian. They all agreed that truth, justice, friendliness and happiness coincided with their religious ideals and when constantly applied in business would result in greater success and progress. Results were just tremendous, and Herbert J. Taylor turned around this nearly bankrupt company into a leader in their industry. In 1954-55 this same Herbert Taylor became president of Rotary International.
The six key words are all you need to remember
TRUTH -- FAIR -- GOODWILL BETTER FRIENDSHIPS BENEFICIAL
Remember these - your company, your family, your community, our world will be better!