Rotary Club of Collingwood - Service Above Self
Rotary is a worldwide organisation, which provides an opportunity for men and women in business and the professions to use their vocational skills to assist the local community. If you’ve asked yourself the question “What can I do?” then this may be your answer. Rotary consists of individuals who are willing to contribute some of their precious time and valuable expertise to make a difference – to help those who need it and to encourage our youth to reach their potential.
Rotary International forms a global network which is based within the local community and which provides aid and assistance throughout the world. Rotarians know that as an individual they can’t achieve much in their spare time to help others – but by working as a member of a team with other business men and women, the effect of their contribution is amplified and significant improvements can be made. For example, Rotary is eradicating the scourge of polio from this earth by immunising the children worldwide. Imagine what can be achieved when people work together, enjoying a wider circle of friends and using their skills to make this world a better place in which to live.
Each Rotarian represents their industry or profession within their club, ensuring a broad diversity of backgrounds and vocational skills are available to form project teams. Rotarians also recognise the need to maintain high ethical standards in their business and professional lives and to promote and build goodwill both locally and internationally, to encourage peaceful coexistence globally.
Some facts:
Rotary International headquarters is located in Evanston, Illinois, USA and each year is led by a world President who is elected for a 12 month period from one of the many clubs worldwide. Four Australians have contributed their time to govern as RI President since it’s inception. The President provides inspiration, motivation and direction to all Rotarians.
The world is divided into 525 districts which each year elect a District Governor whose task is to communicate the President’s message and direction to the clubs within the district. The District Governor’s team of experienced Rotarians is also available to all clubs for information and assistance in achieving their plans and objectives.
The power of Rotary comes from the membership within each club, which is chartered by Rotary International with an approved constitution. Each club is autonomous and may make its own decisions about which projects it will initiate and support. This allows for great diversity between clubs around the world while maintaining principles in common and dedication to “service above self”.
Each club elects a President for a term of 12 months, ensuring that all members who wish to serve through leadership have an opportunity to direct the club’s activities. A Rotary club has a board of directors representing essential tasks and committees which include the following:
A Rotarian is a member of a Rotary Club which adheres to Rotary principles of service through friendship. Each member will be asked to contribute their skills and talents towards projects the club has decided to pursue which benefit the community. A Rotarian is always welcome as a visitor at any club and this opportunity to sample the hospitality and share companionship with others around the world in many cultures is a major benefit of membership.
Each member contributes their time and skills working on projects as part of a team. Your skills may include leadership, project management, organisation and people management, creativity and innovation, communication, technology skills – and most useful of all, a desire to lend a hand.
Projects vary from small to very large depending on the club’s resources and availability of members. Even small projects can have significant benefits to our community. For example:
Often these projects require small amounts of time and money and yet they enrich the lives of many in our local communities. Rotarians believe it is important to use our talents to bridge the gap between those with less than ourselves, to bind our community together and create common goals and aspirations for a better society.
Larger projects may be initiated which fund the work of professionals to perform the tasks required to assist those in need both locally and internationally. Rotarians are facilitators; we provide the will to make things happen and then we use our energy and skills to ensure the success of the project. Sometimes this requires the raising of funds through a variety of means such as:
Each club determines its own focus and the members agree on the projects to be undertaken. You will be able to contribute your specific skills and talents to these projects and thereby achieve success as a member of the team.
Members make their time available to Rotary according to their lifestyle and the changing demands of family and work commitments. Rotary as an organisation recognises the need for members to place family and employment ahead of volunteer activities and expects that each Rotarian will prioritise their time appropriately.
Teamwork is essential to achieve the club’s goals and therefore members need to spend time together regularly to get to know each other well. To that end, the club meets weekly throughout the year to provide a forum for team-building and information exchange. Guest speakers are a feature of Rotary meetings as they provide members with access to a wide variety of people addressing interesting and relevant topics.
Members are encouraged to attend as often as possible and to average 60% attendance over a six month period. Members will also be working on one of the club’s project committees or take a Board position which usually meets once a month at an agreed time to plan and report on projects under their direction.
Sometimes a Rotarian is caught in a business disaster or has a family crisis and can’t attend meetings. This is not a problem as leave of absence can be granted where the club Board believes this is reasonable. Also, attendance of another Rotary club’s meeting is credited towards the member’s attendance. If you can’t make the time of your own club’s meeting, take the opportunity to visit another club and enjoy the company of other Rotarians in your area.
We all get too busy at times but when the demands on our time diminish, then we can enjoy club meetings again and make our time available for teamwork.
It takes time to make a difference – your time
The Club meets each Thursday, at
The Leinster Arms Hotel
66 Gold St
Collingwood
We usually meet for lunch (12.30 for 1.00 pm) and alternatively, for dinner (6.00 for 6.30pm) from time to time.
Each Rotary Club requires its members to pay an annual membership fee. At present, fees are waived for the balance of the first year. Fees are used to cover administration costs.
Attendance at club meetings will incur a fixed cost and there may be the occasional requirement to pay a fine, which is levied on members who have been singled out by the Sergeant At Arms for humorous behaviour or conduct. A sense of humour is an essential requirement of a Rotarian – we like to have fun.
Each year, the District Governor hosts a District Conference where clubs gather to see what has been achieved in their area. While attendance is optional, it is an opportunity to see Rotary in a broader context and to enjoy some fun and frivolity with club members and the wider circle of the Rotary District. Costs vary from year to year depending on location.
Currently the annual membership fee is $250 and the weekly meeting cost, including meal, is $20
Having read this document you may have further questions, which you should address to your Rotary contact. There is a lot of printed material available on Rotary and this can be made available to you. When you are satisfied with the information, which has been presented to you, it is time for you to decide whether you will accept the invitation to join the Rotary club.
If you are ready to join, let your contact within the club know and they will organise for your membership application to be submitted to the Board for approval. Assuming your membership has been accepted, you will be notified and inducted into the club shortly thereafter. Then you will begin a remarkable journey, which Rotary provides all members who make the decision to share their good fortune in life with the community of which they are a part.
For further information, call Membership Director, John Taylor on
0419 363 101
An Introduction to Rotary (WORD DOC)
Contact Us: Email: collingwood@rotaryd9800.org
Copyright 2008 Rotary Club of Collingwood All rights reserved.