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 the 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 & Development: Membership in Rotary continue's ones 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.
We learn 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 a few places on the globe that do not have a
Rotary club. Every Rotarian is welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of more than 29,000 clubs in 168 nations and geographical regions.
This means instant friends in both one's own community and in the world community.
10. Assistance when Traveling: Because the Rotary club is 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 diversions 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 the growth and 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: Rotarian's practice the 4-Way Test that governs one's ethical standards. Rotarians are expectd 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 ehtnic identity
is found in Rotary. It is a cross section of the world's most prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians become aware of the 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 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 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 feel the
self-fulfillment that comes in the process and return of the satisfaction to one's own life. It is richly rewarding.
FOR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL DAVE OR KATHY KOBAK AT 708-361-1177.