Official Directory

How do you find out when the Rotary club meets in Toowoomba, Pondicherry or Recklinghausen? Simply turn to the Official Directory of Rotary International. The approximately 750-page annual publication is filled with current information about Rotarians and Rotary clubs. The meeting day, time and location of every one of the more than 29,000 clubs is listed. From the Rotary Club of Aabenraa, Denmark, to Zwolle, Nether­lands, the Official Directory provides the name and address of each club president and secretary, as well as the number of club members and charter date.

The Official Directory also records a wealth of information about the more than 525 Rotary districts, as well as the composition and purpose of all official Rotary committees. Included are names and addresses of the current RI Board of Directors and all previous boards. There is a list of all past RI presidents with a review of their themes. An excellent directory of hotels around the world is an added feature. For US$9 the Official Directory can be obtained from the RI World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois. It is a perfect guidebook for making Rotary contacts when you travel.

And, by the way, Toowoomba meets every Monday at 6:00 p.m., Pondicherry on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Recklinghausen on Mondays at 1:00 p.m. Now, that’s good to know!

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Opportunities for Fellowship

Most Rotarians are successful professional and business executives because they hear opportunities knock and take advantage of them. Once a week the opportunity for Rotary fellowship occurs at each club meeting, but not all members hear it knocking.

The weekly club meeting is a special privilege of Rotary membership. It provides the occasion to visit with fellow members, to meet visitors you have not known before, and to share your personal friendship with other members.

Rotary clubs that have a reputation for being “friendly clubs” usually follow a few simple steps: First, members are encouraged to sit in a different seat or at a different table each week. Second, Rotarians are urged to sit with a member they may not know as well as their long-time personal friends. Third, members invite new members or visitors to join their table just by saying: “Come join us, we have an empty chair at this table.”

Fourth, members share the conversation around the table rather than merely eating in silence or talking privately to the person next to them. Fifth, Rotarians make a special point of trying to get acquainted with all members of the club by seeking out those they may not know.

When Rotarians follow these five easy steps. an entirely new opportunity for fellowship knocks each week. Soon Rotarians realize that warm and personal friendship is the cornerstone of every great Rotary club.

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Club Singing

Harry Ruggles was the fifth man to join Paul Harris in the conversations that led to the formation of the first Rotary club in Chicago in 1905. Harry was a fellow who enjoyed singing, and this was a popular activity at the turn of the centurv. At an early meeting of the fledgling group Harry jumped on a chair and urged everyone to join him in a song

Group singing soon became a traditional part of each Rotarv meeting. The custom spread to many of the clubs in the United States and is still a popular fellowship activity in the Rotary meetings of such diverse countries as Australia, Japan, Nigeria, New Zealand and Canada. Some clubs sing a national song as the formal opening of the meeting. Social singing, however is seldom found n the Rotary clubs in Europe, South America and Asia.

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Honorary Membership

[webmasters note: sections on Senior Active and Past Service membership types have not been included here. The 2001 COL limited membership types to Active and Honorary.]

“Honorary is one of the two types of membership a person may have in a Rotary club and is exercised only in exceptional cases to recognize an individual for unusual service and contributions to Rotary and society. An honorary member is elected for one year only, and continuing membership must he renewed annually.

Honorary members cannot propose new members to the club, do not hold office, and are exempt from attendance requirements and club dues

Many distinguished heads of state, explorers, authors, musicians, astronauts and other public personalities have been honorary members of Rotary clubs, including King Gustaf of Sweden, King George VI of England, King Badouin of Belgium, King Hassan Ill of Morocco, Sir Winston Churchill, humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, Charles Lindbergh, composer Jean Sibelius, explorer Sir Edmund Hillary, Thor Heyerdahl, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Dr. Albert Sabin, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and many of the presidents of the United States. Truly, those selected for honorary membership are those who have done much to further the ideals of Rotary.

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Membership in Rotary International

If you asked a Rotarian if he or she belonged to Rotary International, the individual probably would look puzzled and answer, “Of course I’m a member of Rotary International.” But in this instance, the confident Rotarian would be technically wrong. No Rotarian can be a member of Rotary International!

The explanation of this apparent contradiction is simple. The constitutional documents of RI state that membership in Rotary International is limited to Rotary clubs. Over 29,000 Rotary clubs belong to the organization we call Rotary International.

A Rotary club is composed of persons with the appropriate qualifications of good character and reputation, a business or professional classification, and who serve in an executive or managerial capacity. The Rotarian belongs to a club the club belongs to Rotary International. This technical distinction is not obvious or even known to most Rotarians and seldom does it create any problems or complications. It does explain, however, why the Rotary International Board of Directors places expectations upon and extends privileges to Rotary clubs, rather than to individual Rotarians.

If someone asks if you belong to Rotary International, your most accurate answer would be, “No, I belong to a Rotary club.” But it is doubtful anyone would understand the difference, or, in tact, would really care.

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District Governor

The Rotary district governor performs a very significant function in the world of Rotary. He or she is the single officer of Rotary International in the geographic area called a Rotary district, which usually includes about 45 Rotary clubs. The district governors, who have been extensively trained at the worldwide International Assembly, provide the “quality control” for the more than 29,000 Rotary clubs of the world. They are responsible for maintaining high performance within the clubs of their district.

The district governor, who must make an official visit to each club in the district, is never regarded as an “inspector general.” Rather, he or she visits as a helpful and friendly adviser to the club officers, as a useful counselor to further the Object of Rotary among the clubs of the district, and as a catalyst to help strengthen the programs of Rotary.

The district governor is a very experienced Rotarian who generously devotes a year to the volunteer task of leadership. The governor has a wealth of knowledge about current Rotary programs, purposes, policies and goals, and is a person of recognized high standing in his or her profession, community and Rotary club. The governor must supervise the organization of new clubs and strengthen existing ones. He or she performs a host of specific duties to assure that the quality of Rotary does not falter in the district, and is responsible to promote and implement all programs and activities of the Rotary International president and the RI Board of Directors. The governor plans and directs a district conference and other special events.

Each district governor performs a very important role in the worldwide operations of Rotary. The district governor is truly a prime example of Service Above Self performing a labor of love.

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International Assembly

An International Assembly is held each year during February or March to prepare all of the district governors-nominee from around the world for the office they will assume on 1 July. Accompanied by their spouses, the 525 incoming governors join a host of experienced Rotarian leaders for more than a week of training and motivational sessions. At the assembly they meet the special Rotarian who will serve as RI president during their year as governors and they learn the RI theme for the coming year around which they will build their district’s conference.

The first International Assembly was held in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., in 1919. Later assemblies were held in Lake Placid, New York; Boca Raton, Florida, and Nashville, Tennessee. In recent years the assembly has been held in Anaheim, California. But regardless of the venue, the message on the sign above the plenary hall has remained unchanged for years: “Enter to learn... go forth to serve.”

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District Assembly

In view of the annual turnover of Rotary leadership each year, special effort is required to provide the more than 31,000 club leaders with appropriate instruction for the tasks they will assume. The annual district assembly is the major leadership training event in each Rotary district of the world.

The district assembly offers motivation, inspiration, Rotary information and new ideas for club officers, directors and key committee chairpersons of each club. Some of the most experienced district leaders conduct informative discussions on all phases of Rotary administration and service projects. The assembly gives all participants valuable new ideas to make their club more effective and interesting. Usually eight to ten delegates from each club are invited to attend the training session.

Another important feature of a district assembly is a review by the incoming district governor of the program theme and emphasis of the new RI president for the coming year. District goals and objects are also described and plans are developed for their implementation.

The success of each Rotary club is frequently determined by the club’s full representation and participation in the annual district assembly.

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The District Conference

Most Rotarians have never attended a Rotary district conference. They have not experienced one of the most enjoyable and rewarding privileges of Rotary membership.

A district conference is for all club members and their spouses, not just for club officers and committee members. The purpose of a district conference is for fellowship, good fun, inspirational speakers and discussion of matters that make one’s Rotary membership more meaningful. Every person who attends a district conference finds that being a Rotarian becomes even more rewarding because of the new experiences, insights and acquaintances developed at the conference. Those who attend a conference enjoy going back, year after year.

Every one of Rotary’s more than 525 districts has a conference annually. These meetings are considered so important that the Rotary International president selects a knowledgeable Rotarian as his personal representative to attend and address each conference. The program always includes several outstanding entertainment features, interesting discussions and inspirational programs.

One of the added benefits of attending a district conference is the opportunity to become better acquainted with members of one’s own club in an informal setting. Lasting friendships grow from the fellowship hours at the district conference.

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The Presidents-elect Training Seminar

The Bylaws of Rotary International require that the governor-nominee of each district, in cooperation with the current governor, in the early months of the year, schedule and conduct a training seminar for the incoming club presidents of the district. This two- or three-day Presidents-elect Training Seminar, commonly referred to by its acronym, PETS, is a motivational and leadership training session designed to prepare the future club presidents for the office they will assume on 1 July. Among the subjects covered are the implementation of the RI theme for the coming year as well as information about the new and continuing programs of RI. Time is also devoted to a review of district operations, planning club and district programs, and organizing other activities for the year ahead. How to prepare a budget, goal-setting, time management and new ideas for club meetings are just some of the useful skills that club presidents-elect learn when they attend their district’s PETS. In some areas of the world the PETS is conducted as a joint multi-district event.

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Youth Exchange

Youth Exchange is one of the most popular programs to promote international understanding and develop lifelong friendships. It began in 1927 with the Rotary Club of Nice, France. In 1939 an extensive Youth Exchange was created between California and Latin America. Since then the program has expanded around the world. In recent years more than 7,000 young people have participated annually in Rotary club- and district-sponsored exchange programs.

The values of Youth Exchange are experienced not only by the high school-age students involved but also by the host families, sponsoring clubs, receiving high schools and the entire community. Youth Exchange participants usually provide their fellow students in their host schools with excellent opportunities to learn about customs, languages, traditions and family life in another country.

Youth Exchange offers young people interesting opportunities and rich experiences to see another part of the world. Students usually spend a full academic year abroad, although some clubs and districts sponsor short-term exchanges of several weeks or months.

Youth Exchange is a highly recommended program for all Rotary clubs as a practical activity for the enhancement of international understanding and goodwill.

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No Personal Privileges

Frequently, friends ask whether Rotarians receive special business benefits from their Rotary membership. Should Rotarians expect a special discount or some preferential service just because they are dealing with a fellow Rotarian?

The answer is clearly “no.” The Rotary Manual of Procedure expressly states the Rotary position on this matter, The policy, originally approved by the RI Board of Directors in 1933, is that in business and professional relations “a Rotarian should not expect, and far less should he ask for, more consideration or advantages from a fellow Rotarian than the latter would give to any other business or professional associate with whom he has business relations.” Over 50 years ago the concept was expressed that “true friends demand nothing of one another, and any abuse of the confidence of friendship for profit is foreign to the spirit of Rotary.”

On the other hand, if new or increased business comes as the natural result of friendship created in Rotary, it is the same normal development that takes place outside of Rotary as well as inside, so it is not an infringement on the ethics of Rotary membership.

It is important to remember that the primary purpose of Rotary membership is to provide each member with a unique opportunity to serve others, and membership is not intended as a means for personal profit or special privileges.

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Every Rotarian an Example to Youth

In much of the official literature of Rotary International relating to service to young people, a special slogan will be found — “Every Rotarian an Example to Youth.” These words were adopted in 1949 by the Rotary International Board of Directors as an expression of commitment to children and youth in each community in which Rotary clubs exist. Serving young people has long been an important part of the Rotary program.

Youth service projects take many forms around the world. Rotarians sponsor Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, athletic teams, centers for disabled children, school safety patrols, summer camps, recreation areas, safe driving clinics, county fairs, child care centers and children’s hospitals. Many clubs provide vocational counseling, establish youth employment programs and promote use of The 4-Way Test. Increasingly, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and AIDS awareness projects are being supported by Rotarians.

In every instance, Rotarians have an opportunity to be role models for the young men and women of their community. One learns to serve by observing others. As our youth grow to become adult leaders, it is hoped each will achieve that same desire and spirit to serve future generations of children and youth.

The slogan accepted over 40 years ago is just as vital today. It is a very thoughtful challenge — “Every Rotarian an Example to Youth.”

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World Community Service

World Community Service (WCS) is the Rotary program by which a club or district in one country provides humanitarian assistance to a club in another country. Typically the aid goes to a developing community where the Rotary project will help raise the standard of living and the quality of life. The ultimate object of World Community Service is to build goodwill and understanding among peoples of the world.

One important way to find a club in some other part of the world that needs help on a worthy project is to use the WCS Projects Exchange, a semiannually published list of hundreds of worthy activities in developing areas. The exchange list is maintained in the RI Secretariat in Evanston and is readily available upon request. It outlines projects, provides estimated costs and gives names of the appropriate contacts. The WCS Projects Exchange can also be accessed via the RI World Wide Web site at www.rotary.org.

Clubs that need assistance, or are seeking another club to help with a humanitarian project, such as building a clinic, school, hospital, community water well, library or other beneficial activity, may register their needs. Clubs seeking a desirable World Community Service project may easily review the list of needs registered in the Projects Exchange. Thus, the exchange provides a practical way to link needs with resources.

Every Rotary club is urged to undertake a new World Community Service project each year. The WCS Projects Exchange list is an excellent tool to find a real need, a project description and cooperating club in a developing area. The job then is to “go to work” to complete the project, and at the same time build bridges of friendship and world understanding.

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Women's Groups Associated With Rotary Clubs

Some very significant programs of Rotary service are not conducted by Rotarians. This is true because of the many projects sponsored by organizations of Rotarians’ wives and other women relatives associated with Rotary clubs around the world.

Women’s groups — often called Women of Rotary, Rotary Ann Clubs, Las Damas de Rotary, Rotary Wives or, the more formalized organization, The Inner Wheel — annually conduct hundreds of notable projects of humanitarian service in their communities. The women’s groups establish schools, baby clinics, food and clothing distribution centers, hospital facilities, orphanages, homes for the elderly and other service activities, and they frequently provide volunteer service on a day-to-day basis to operate childcare centers for working mothers and provide necessary resources for Youth Exchange students. Usually the women’s groups complement and supplement the programs of service performed by the local Rotary clubs. Many of the women’s groups actively conduct international service projects as well as local projects.

The RI Board of Directors in 1984 recognized the excellent service and fellowship of the clubs and organization of women relatives of Rotarians, and encouraged all Rotary clubs to sponsor such informal organizations.