ABOUT ROTARY
Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas.
WHY ROTARY?
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster all of the following:
1st: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.
2nd: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
3rd: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life.
4th: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
ROTARIANS ARE GUIDED BY “THE FOUR WAY TEST”
In all of our personal and professional dealings, as Rotarians we ask ourselves:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
STEPS TO BECOMING A FULL-FLEDGED ROTARIAN
First, you should attend at least four meetings at the club of your choice, to help you decide of the feel of that club is a comfortable fit for you.Second, you will need a sponsor in the club of your choice.Third, upon approval of your membership application by the Board of Directors and members at large, you shall attend a short orientation meeting to familiarize yourself with what is expected of you as a Rotarian.Immediately thereafter, you shall be introduced at the next club meeting as the newest Rotarian, you shall receive your Rotary pin, the club’s by-laws, an invoice for your first year’s dues, and a temporary red badge.It will become your immediate objective to replace that temporary red badge with your permanent blue badge. This accomplished by attending a COG meeting for further orientation about Rotary, and attending a Board of Directors meeting, so you may see the inner workings of your club.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
- There is an initiation fee of $100.
- Pay your annual dues on time (presently $390).
- Attend the weekly Friday lunch meetings (presently $30 per meeting).
- Support club events by selling the minimum number of tickets assigned for each event (ranges from $5 to $100 per ticket, and varies from 5 to 10 tickets per event).
- Commit to donating a minimum of $1000 towards the Rotary Foundation and/or the Polio Plus program (this can be done over time).
- Commit to donating a minimum of $1000 towards the San Carlos Rotary Club’s Endowment Fund (this can be done over time).
- Additionally:
- In the spirit of friendship within Rotary, you can be charged $5 during the fine sessions at our weekly meetings. You are not required to pay fines in excess of an aggregate of $50 in any one year.
- You are encouraged to participate in the club’s social events held throughout the year, e.g. the President’s Installation and Debunking Dinner, among others.
HOW MY FAMILY AND I BECOME INVOLVED?
When you join our Rotary Club, you will automatically and immediately have made new friends with all of your fellow Rotarians. And as it is with friendships, they grow deeper through time. This requires personal involvement and constant nourishment. Because Rotary often involves private family time, as well as time away from business, it is important for family members to know about Rotary, and to get to know your fellow Rotarians. Invite your family to Rotary meetings, and definitely bring them to your club’s events.
ROTARIANS BEHIND THE SCENES: WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE YOUR CLUB SUCCESSFUL
Every organization, every meeting, every function, and every event is a result of people volunteering their time towards its success. There are several committees that are responsible for making things happen within your club. The list will be made available to you, so that you may select the ones that you’re most comfortable participating in. They you need to become an active member.
- There are also other events at the district level that will be announced, and that you should attend as your calendar allows, such as the District Governor’s conference, as well as several training sessions that are offered.
- And of course, there is Rotary International Convention that is held yearly: a wonderful way to meet fellow Rotarians from around d the world!
CONGRATULATIONS…
On your consideration of becoming a Rotarian. You can be proud to say that you are part of the world’s first service club, and one of over 1.2 million service-minded men and women belonging to over 1,000 Rotary Clubs in virtually every nation of the world!