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Why Rotary?
What Our Members Receive
Brad Howard, RID 2015-17

1. Friendship

Membership in Rotary fulfills the basic human need of friendship. In fact, it was one of the primary
reasons Paul Harris started Rotary in 1905. We create lifelong friendships in our local and international
communities. The relationships created in Rotary’s are with a network of local and international leaders
whom we address by name and are considered our equals and peers. 



2. Professional Development 

Rotary is a network of business, professional and community leaders, who have a culture of high level of
integrity and purpose. Our members are exposed to people, every week, in a vast range of vocations
that can provide assistance to our business and professional development. Although we are not a
business networking organization, we afford our members to be identified to the leaders in their local
community. By this association, our members not only enhance their business, they learn from and
identify with the leaders in their community. It was once said, “Rotary allows me to sit next to people
every week that I would otherwise have to pay $250 an hour to meet.”



3. Personal Growth 

Rotary takes ordinary individuals and puts them into extraordinary circumstance. Every week, you are
exposed to new thoughts, new professions and new opportunities to learn. Our members develop broad
social skills. A key part of Rotary is its internationalism, which gives our members to broaden their
international scope, living and expression. Simply stated, membership in Rotary helps to make our
members better – better individuals, community leaders, internationalists, and humanitarians.



4. Leadership Development 

A core value of Rotary is that we develop leaders and leadership skills. We provide leadership training at
all levels of our organization. Rotary’s brand of leadership is distinctive. We teach how to lead leaders in
the context of a volunteer organization. If you can be an effective leader in Rotary, you will be a better
can be an effective leader in your business. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education in
leadership.



5. Community 

Rotary clubs give our members a way to get involved in making their local communities better.
Membership and involvement in a Rotary club makes an individual a better community citizen and more
connected with community leaders and the needs of the community.

6. Continuing Education 

Involvement in Rotary allows our members to broaden their perspective and improve their business skills.
Attendance at the weekly meeting exposes our members to the meeting’s program which include
speakers talking on a variety of topics. Further, training is available for Rotarians who take on
responsibility in the organization. Training in fund raising, non-profit management, event production,
communications, etc. will help you to grow in Rotary and develop additional business skills.

7. Fun

Rotary is fun. The club projects are fun. Social activities are fun. And the service is fun. Our club
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meetings and other events are filled with fellowship, humor and entertainment. Every Rotary club and
district has parties and activities that provide social fun and camaraderie. Our members are friendly,
welcoming and engaging.

8. Public Speaking Skills 

Rotary club meetings and events place a high value and regard on effective public speaking. Participating
in a Rotary club helps our member to develop confidence and skills in public communication, and the
opportunity to use it. Rotarians who get more involved with be exposed to higher levels of public
speaking training.



9. Global Citizens 

Rotary is in over 200 countries and geographical regions. There are few places on the globe which do
not have a Rotary club. This global presence gives our members the exclusive opportunity to create
friends in both the local community and the world community. This global connection gives you the
opportunity and vehicle to be a better global citizen. Members who are involved in international
businesses will find access to global business, professional and community leaders a valuable asset.



10. Unique Travel Experience and Assistance 

Members who travel will find that being a Rotarian will open doors throughout the world. “The Pin Gets
You In!” Visiting a Rotary club while you are traveling will give you immediate access to local resources
and information. Also, Rotary clubs everywhere can provide quick assistance in obtaining services of a
doctor, lawyer, dentist, etc., while traveling. 



11. Next Generation Programs 

Rotary provides one of the world's largest, most structured and responsible youth program. Our youth
exchange program, both our academic year and short-term, summer exchange are recognized as one of
the best and most cost efficient available. We also have clubs in high school and college that help
students develop their leadership, social, organizational and communication skills. These youth programs
are available to the family members of our Rotarians.

12. Develop Social Skills 


Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops one's personality, social and people
skills. Engagement with Rotary during international travel helps introduce Rotarians to new cultures and
languages.



13. Opportunities for the Family
Involvement in a Rotary club immediately integrates the family into a community’s support network.
Lifelong relationships and friendships are created that can support a family for years. Rotary service
projects are an ideal opportunity for working with your children to teach them the value of helping
others. Finally, Rotary’s Next Generation programs can help the children of Rotarians to develop special
skills and experiences that can distinguish them as they apply to colleges and universities.


14. Vocational Skills

Rotary fosters growth and development in each person's profession or vocation and encourages sharing
this development with others.


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15. Ethics Treatment

One of Rotary’s core principles is the “4-way Test” which governs ethical standards. Rotarians are
expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships. Further, Rotary presumes an ethical
relationship between its members. Rotarians presume the goodness in one another, in both a business or
volunteer capacity.



16. Cultural Awareness

Rotary is a cross section of the world's most prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians learn
to love and work with people everywhere.

17. Prestige

Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious civic organization in the world. Membership in Rotary is by
invitation only. Worldwide, Rotarians are recognized as some of the most prominent individuals in
business, professions and the community. Being a Rotarian give you instant access these people, and
helps to identify you as one of these individuals. 



18. Community Connections
Membership in Rotary immediately connects you with a broad range of professions and professionals, in
your club, city, region or globally. We encourage our members to do business with each other because
we trust the members in Rotary. Vocational diversity is one of Rotary’s core values. Because of this
diversity and our ethical treatment of one another, our members can have confidence in creating long
term business relationships.


19. The Opportunity to Serve

Service is what Rotarians do. We change the lives of others in need. Your membership in Rotary gives
you the opportunity, structure, knowhow and resources to provide service to others. The benefit a
Rotarian receives by helping someone else is extraordinary and life affecting.



20. You Can Make a Difference - Locally or Globally
Rotary gives our members the ability to make a difference, and provides an exclusive benefit to our
members to follow their passion in helping others. Rotary empowers our membership to dream large in
addressing needs in local and international communities. There is no other organization that has the
structure, the network and resources that are available to its membership. Individual members create
our projects – from the global eradication of polio, to a local beautification project, our members
determine our action. What you can dream, you can create. What you can dream, you can be.

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