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 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 and Development: Membership in Rotary continues
one's 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.
Leadership: - leaniing 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 few places on the globe that
do not have a Rotary club. Every
Rotarian is welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of the 29,000 clubs in 194
nations and geographical regions. This
means instant 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
activities that provide diversion 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 growth and the 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: Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test that
governs one's ethical standards. Rotarians
are expected 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 ethnic
identity is found in Rotary. It is
a cross section of the world's most prominent citizens from every background.
Rotarians become aware of their 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, a@ 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 meeting 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 community 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 sense the self-fulfillment that comes in the
process and return of that satisfaction to one's own life.
It is richly rewarding.
"He profits most who serves
best.
Richard D. King
Rotary International President 2001-02