Ways We Can Serve in Rotary - Part 1: By Simply Attending Meetings
Posted by Geoffrey James
I'm currently developing a series of lists showing various ways members can serve Rotary through the Five Avenues of service and in other ways. This first one reflects on how we can serve through meeting attendance.
Most Rotarians welcome the relaxing of Rotary attendance rules and the world wide Rotary focus on engagement rather than attendance. We want all members to feel welcome and “at home” in our clubs no matter how little they attend, or how little they may be able to do during certain periods. However, that doesn’t mean that attendance is unimportant. We can actually serve Rotary and the world in many ways simply by attending a weekly meeting. Here’s a few ideas for starters - I’m interested in collecting more.
• Our presence sends a message to all other members that Rotary matters to us, and they feel confirmed in their own attendance
• Our attendance helps to build an enjoyable atmosphere that can increase the enjoyment of other Rotary members - as numbers increase, the atmosphere increases
• We have the opportunity to learn more about the work of Rotary in the world - enabling us to better articulate this to other people in the community.
• We have the opportunity to learn more about other people (e.g. guest speakers) who are serving the community in some way. This can inspire us to keep serving in our own way.
• We frequently have the opportunity to learn more about the world and other cultures, and in so doing, build our own capacity for tolerance.
• We have the opportunity to throw in comments or ideas in discussions, or through questions that may inspire others, or cause them to re-think their own ideas or contribute to the formation of decisions that will be, “beneficial to all concerned”.
• We have the opportunity to demonstrate the four way test and promote truth, fairness, and goodwill.
• In our club, a small amount of our dinner fee goes to support the work of the Rotary Foundation
• In our club, the purchase of a meal makes a small contribution towards the work of Havilah Home for the Aged
• We can offer supportive applause and words of appreciation to guest speakers and club members making them feel that what they said was worthwhile.
• We can offer words of support and encouragement to other members who may be currently feeling lonely, or suffering in some way.
• Most importantly, we can help to create a welcoming and accepting atmosphere so all members feel “at home” in the club no matter how often they attend or how little they might do in the way of club or community service.
Most Rotarians welcome the relaxing of Rotary attendance rules and the world wide Rotary focus on engagement rather than attendance. We want all members to feel welcome and “at home” in our clubs no matter how little they attend, or how little they may be able to do during certain periods. However, that doesn’t mean that attendance is unimportant. We can actually serve Rotary and the world in many ways simply by attending a weekly meeting. Here’s a few ideas for starters - I’m interested in collecting more.
• Our presence sends a message to all other members that Rotary matters to us, and they feel confirmed in their own attendance
• Our attendance helps to build an enjoyable atmosphere that can increase the enjoyment of other Rotary members - as numbers increase, the atmosphere increases
• We have the opportunity to learn more about the work of Rotary in the world - enabling us to better articulate this to other people in the community.
• We have the opportunity to learn more about other people (e.g. guest speakers) who are serving the community in some way. This can inspire us to keep serving in our own way.
• We frequently have the opportunity to learn more about the world and other cultures, and in so doing, build our own capacity for tolerance.
• We have the opportunity to throw in comments or ideas in discussions, or through questions that may inspire others, or cause them to re-think their own ideas or contribute to the formation of decisions that will be, “beneficial to all concerned”.
• We have the opportunity to demonstrate the four way test and promote truth, fairness, and goodwill.
• In our club, a small amount of our dinner fee goes to support the work of the Rotary Foundation
• In our club, the purchase of a meal makes a small contribution towards the work of Havilah Home for the Aged
• We can offer supportive applause and words of appreciation to guest speakers and club members making them feel that what they said was worthwhile.
• We can offer words of support and encouragement to other members who may be currently feeling lonely, or suffering in some way.
• Most importantly, we can help to create a welcoming and accepting atmosphere so all members feel “at home” in the club no matter how often they attend or how little they might do in the way of club or community service.