Seven Habits of Highly Effective Rotarians

(Reprinted with permission by the author, Dr.Jagdish Bhatt of Rotary Club of Bombay Airport, Mumbai India.)

1. ATTENDANCE :- They always make it a point to attend as many Rotary meetings of their clubs and also of other clubs, as is possible. They are aware that attending Rotary meetings is a very important part of being a Rotarian. They do not miss any chance to attend such meetings. They also attend meetings of various committees of which they are members and even some others if they are invited. They are keen to attend various district functions and all projects of their club. They are proud to attend the district assembly and the district conference every year. They would try to attend the Rotary convention at least once in five years.

2. FELLOWSHIP:- They enjoy meeting other Rotarians. They often feel that in some of the Rotary functions meeting and exchanging greetings with others is often as important as actual transactions of the meeting. They go out of their way to talk to those whom they do not know. They go by the dictum that a stranger is a friend whom you have not yet met. Even outside Rotary they enjoy meeting people and getting aquatinted with them. At large gatherings of Rotarians they try to meet members from other clubs, rather than fraternizing with members of their own club.

3. VOCATION:- They have respect for every vocation. Vocation and classification are the basis of Rotary. They firmly believe that each vocation provides a cog in the wheel and each one has its own importance, however insignificant it may appear by itself in comparison with others. They firmly subscribe to the view that each person should try to excel in whatever he is doing and try to help others to reach a higher level of efficiency in their work.

4. DISCIPLINE:- They believe that no useful work can be achieved in a productive manner without discipline, both within and outside. They appreciate the value of self-discipline because they are aware that like charity, discipline begins at home. Not only do they practice discipline but will also enforce it when needed.

5. TIME, MONEY AND ENERGY:- They know that they are in Rotary for a purpose. They fully realize that they have to earmark a certain amount of time, money and energy for Rotary as a part of being a Rotarian. They also realize that they are members of a society where all these three items are to be shared for their vocation, family and the community. They see to it that a proper balance is maintained while rationing out these commodities.

6. EMPATHY:- They put themselves in the position of the other person, especially if the other person is in difficulty. They know that mere sympathy is never enough. They feel the pain and experience difficulties of others themselves. They also understand that what they are doing for the community is merely returning a very small part of what they have received from it. They know that it is only human to expect some kind of recognition for what they are doing but do not hanker after getting credit for it.

7. IMAGE OF ROTARY:- There may be moments when they feel that all is not right with Rotary. They may feel that there is 'politics' in Rotary. They know that there are some elements in Rotary who should not be there. They, however, look at the good aspects of Rotary. In public and outside Rotary, they always make it a point to project the best face of Rotary. They would not like to let the public image of Rotary get tarnished.

This article was first written for Rotarians on the Internet (ROTI) and has been published in over 150 Rotary club bulletins and translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German and Thai languages after being on the ROTI site of internet. Dr. Jagdish is a charter member of ROTI.