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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 29,000 clubs in 194
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."
Richard D. King
Rotary International President
2001-02 |