Weekly programme for week commencing 23rd January, 2014

Two weeks ago we promoted the Challenges to Rotary in the 21st Century, our Secretary Tim Mason today tells us why he believes Rotary is worth joining, even though it needs to modernise.

I’ve been considering what keeps me very enthused about being a Rotarian in the 21st Century, even though I believe we need to make fundamental changes to the way the current organisation operates. Idealistic or not I believe it is important we work towards the idea of a Peaceful World, Rotary gives me the opportunity to contribute to this aspiration. I can meet Rotarians all over the world either through Social Networks or in my travels for holidays. In virtually every country I can find a friend to help me understand the culture, the local customs and services that I might need during my stay. I’ve always been keen to meet others from countries around the world, which I started as a Scout in my youth and now I can continue with Rotary. These friendships and the work we can do together as Rotarians can help bring about greater understanding and world peace.

I believe secondly Rotary promotes good ethical principles through the four way test:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

By developing my dealings with people using this simple check list I can be guided to do the right thing. My hope is this kind of ethical standard can be used in our personal and business lives.

Thirdly I love being part of Rotary as it provides me with opportunities to develop my network of contacts, enables me to do my small part to help communities by enlarging that effort with a larger team to support. I’ve grown in my ability to public speak at conferences and it has helped tremendously in my understanding of committee management and governance. These are the hidden aspects of Rotary it helps me in learning, my leadership skills and helps me to explore new avenues that I might not have even thought of looking to do.

Click 4 Action eRotary has strengthened my use of computer technology and social media. It has opened up opportunities for me to give service online as well as offline. I believe eRotary can help more people join Rotary International and benefit as I have, however I believe strongly in what has already been said in the previous article Challenges to Rotary in the 21st Century.

OBJECT OF 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:

• FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
• SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
• THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
• FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Join us in Click 4 Action eRotary and see where it leads you…