20 Answers to the Question: Why Join Rotary ?
1. Friendship: In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of themost basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. It is one oftwo reasons why Rotary began in 1905.
2. Business Development: The second original reason for Rotary`s beginningis business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of across section of every business community. Its members come from all walksof life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.
3. Personal Growth and Development: Membership in Rotary continues one'sgrowth and education in human relations and personal development.
4. Leadership Development: Rotary is an organization of leaders andsuccessful 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 abetter community citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the mostactive citizens of any community.
6. Continuing Education: Each week at Rotary there is a program designed tokeep one informed about what is going on in the community, nation, andworld. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different speakersand a variety of timely topics.
7. Fun: Rotary is fun, a lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. The club projectsare fun. Social activities are fun. The service is fun.
8. Public Speaking Skills: Many individuals who joined Rotary were afraid tospeak in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill in publiccommunication and the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.
9. Citizenship in the World: Every Rotarian wears a pin that says "RotaryInternational." There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotaryclub. Every Rotarian is welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of theover 32,000 clubs in 168 nations and geographical regions. This meansinstant 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 activitiesthat provide diversion in one's business life. Rotary holds conferences,conventions, assemblies, and institutes that provide entertainment inaddition to Rotary information, education, and service.
12. The Development of Social Skills: Every week and at various events andfunctions, Rotary develops one's personality, social skills and peopleskills. Rotary is for people who like people.
13. Family Programs: Rotary provides one of the world's largest youthexchange programs; high school and college clubs for future Rotarians;opportunities for spouse involvement; and a host of activities designed tohelp family members in growth and the development of family values.
14. Vocational Skills: Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growthand development of his or her own profession or vocation; to serve oncommittees and to teach youth about one's job or vocation. Rotary helps tomake one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.
15. The Development of Ethics: Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test that governsone's ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in businessand personal relationships.
16. Cultural Awareness: Around the world, practically every religion,country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, color, andethnic identity is found in Rotary. It is a cross section of the world'smost prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians become aware oftheir cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere. Theybecome better citizens of their countries in the process.
17. Prestige: Rotary members are prominent people: leaders of business, theprofessions, art, government, sports, military, religion, and alldisciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in theworld. Its ranks include executives, managers, professionals - people whomake decisions and influence policy.
18. Nice People: Rotarians above all are nice people - the nicest people onthe face of the earth. They are important people who follow the policy of itis nice to be important but it is important to be nice.
19. The Absence of an "Official Creed": Rotary has no secret handshake, nosecret policy, no official creed, no secret meeting or rituals. It is anopen society of men and women who simply believe in helping others.
20. The Opportunity to Serve: Rotary is a service club. Its business ismankind. Its product is service. Rotarians provide community service to bothlocal and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason forbecoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else and tosense the self-fulfillment that comes in the process and return of thatsatisfaction to one's own life. It is richly rewarding.
RIPP Rick King 2001-2002
