What’s the most important responsibility a club has? The most important responsibility a club has is taking care of present and future members and it they a club must serve first.
Having more Rotary club members increases the capacity for service.
Without members, there is no way clubs can serve the needy and our community.
And don’t forget, Rotary has to be a good deal. Rotarians join and they stay because they feel the opportunities and benefits of being a member in a local Rotary club is worth the time, expense and talent they are expending in being there.
I recently visited the Rotary club of St Pete Sunset. It was not an official appointment. I just happened to be in town and stopped in for a visit
What I witnessed that evening was a unique ceremony to welcome new members into their club.
President Alex Maxwell and half a dozen members took part in reading the Four Way Test, Object of Rotary, inspirational messages and a formal Rotary induction. Then the sponsors (four in this case) came forward and attached Rotary pins. After a few more inspiring words from President Alex the entire club toasted the new members. Of the ceremony, Alex explains:
The Sunset Club is known for being a more laid-back Rotary club; we end the 4-Way Test by also asking “…is it FUN!?” But when it comes to inducting our new members it’s all pomp & circumstance. While fun is a priority, we take our commitment to Rotary seriously and that’s what we hope to convey during the ceremony. It’s also way to introduce new members and remind existing members the origin, purpose and reach of Rotary across the globe. We conclude our ceremony by toasting our new members and indulging in cookies from one of our favorite local nonprofit, Casey’s Cookies.
What a wonderful way to bring new members into the family of Rotary and making them immediately part of the club.
In my 33 years of Rotary I have not seen anything so well done.
Great job St Pete Sunset !
Gov Ted