FIVE ways to club flexibility

Club flexibility

Research and our members' experiences have shown that when clubs have more freedom to decide how and when they hold their meetings, who they'll invite to become members, and what member engagement means, their ability to attract new members and keep current members motivated increases.

The 2016 Council on Legislation voted to give Rotary clubs more flexibility than they've ever had. The changes in policy affect when, where, and how clubs meet and the types of membership they offer.

5 ways to use the new flexibility

It's up to your club to decide how — and if — you want to use the new options. Start by reviewing the updated Standard Rotary Club Constitution to see which guidelines are flexible. Once you've decided what changes would benefit your club, edit your club bylaws to reflect them, and try them out. If you decide they aren't working, try something else.

Here are some examples of how your club can apply the new flexible options:

1. Change your meeting schedule. Your club can vary its meeting days, times, and frequency. For example, you could hold a traditional meeting on the first Tuesday of the month to discuss business and service projects and get together socially on the last Friday of the month. You just need to meet at least twice a month.
2. Vary your meeting format. Your club can meet in person, online, or a combination, including letting some members attend in-person meetings through the Internet.
3. Relax attendance requirements. Your club can ease attendance requirements and encourage members to participate in other ways, such as taking a leadership role, updating the club website regularly, running a meeting a few times a year, or planning an event. If your club is dynamic and offers a good experience for members, attendance won't be a problem.
4. Offer multiple membership types. Your club could offer family memberships to those who want to bring their families, junior memberships to young professionals with leadership potential, or corporate memberships to people whose employers want to be represented in the club. Each type of membership can have its own policies on dues, attendance, and service expectations. Rotary will count these people in your club membership and will consider them active members if they pay RI dues.
5. Invite Rotaractors to be members of your club. You can invite Rotaractors to join your club while remaining members of their Rotaract clubs. If your club chooses to, it can make special accommodations for these members, such as relaxed attendance requirements or reduced fees, as long as they are reflected in the club bylaws.

        For further details: https://my.rotary.org/en/club-flexibility

 

RI Theme 2017-18

2017-18: Rotary: Making a Difference

In 2017-18, we’ll answer the question “What is Rotary?” with RI President-elect Ian H.S. Riseley’s theme, Rotary: Making a Difference. “Whether we’re building a new playground or a new school, improving medical care or sanitation, training conflict mediators or midwives, we know that the work we do will change people’s lives — in ways large and small — for the better.”

 

For more: 

https://my.rotary.org/en/news-media/office-president/presidential-theme

Why Should I Join Rotary?

Why Should I Join Rotary?

I had a desire to give back to my community and the world. My father was social worker, so I knew a lot about it. That was about twenty one years ago joined in Rotary. I think what keeps me there is the friendship, not only with people in my local club but with Rotarians I’ve met from around many Rotary districts in India and the world.

Not only are this there many reasons to join ROTARY…

1. Friendship

In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs; the need for friends and fellowship. It is one of the two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.

2. Business Development

The second original reason for Rotary's beginning. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help one another, and collectively help others.

3. Personal Growth and Development

Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and education in human relationship and personal development.

4. Leadership Development

Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education in Leadership: learning how to motivate, influence and develop 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

At each Rotary meeting, there is a programme designed to keep one informed as to what is going on in the community, nation and world via different speakers and different topics.

7. Fun (with a purpose)

Rotary is fun with a purpose - a  lot of fun. Each meeting is fun; the club projects are fun; social activities are fun; and, service is fun.

8. Public Speaking Skills

Many an individual who joined Rotary was reluctant to speak in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communication - and provides opportunity.

9. Citizenship in the World

Every Rotarian wears a pin that says: "Rotary International". And every Rotarians is welcome - even encouraged to attend - at 33,000 clubs in 200+ nations and geographical regions. There are few places on the globe, which do not have a Rotary club. Instant friends in both one's own community and in the world community of 1.2+ million Rotarians.

10. Assistance When Travelling

Because there are Rotary clubs everywhere, many a Rotarian who has needed a doctor, lawyer, hotel, dentist, advice, etc�, while traveling has found same quickly through Rotary.

11. Entertainment

Every Rotary Club and District has parties and activities, which provide diversion in one's business and social life. Rotary has conferences, conventions, assemblies (and an institute), which provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education and service.

12. The Development of Social Skills

At various events and functions, Rotary develops one's personality, social and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people, or who want to - and who wish to help others.

13. Family Programmes

Rotary provides one of the world's largest youth exchange programmes; high school and college clubs for future Rotarians; spouse clubs and programmes, and a host of activities designed to assist family members in growth and the development of family values.

14. Vocational Skills

Every Rotarian is expected to take a 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 (or whatever one does for a living) etc.

15. The Development of Ethics

Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test which 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 other cultures and learn to live and work with people everywhere. They become better citizens of their countries in the process.

17. Prestige

Rotary members are often 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. membership is by invitation - and not everyone is invited to join Rotary.

18. Nice People

Rotarians above all are nice people; the nicest people on the face of the earth. They are important people who adhere to the policy that while it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice.

19. The Absence of 'Offical Creed'

Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meetings 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 the best reason, perhap, for becoming a Rotarian; the chance to do something for somebody else. And to sense the self-fulfillment which comes in the process. And the return to one's own life. Rotarians believe in "Service Above Self"; it is richly rewarding.

"He profits most who serves the best".