District Governor Doug's October Message
Our name, Rotary, originated with the practice of rotating meeting sites among members’ places of business. This was done simply to allow members the opportunity of sharing their vocations with others.Our unique classification system for membership was designed to allow Rotarians the opportunity to do business with one another. From day one, the first business of Rotary was business! Over the years we have slowly grown out of the habit.
No one invites someone to join Rotary in order to teach them the Four-Way Test. Rather, it is because we find them practicing the standards of that test that they qualify for membership. Why wouldn’t we then want to do business with them? Why wouldn’t we surround ourselves with fellow Rotarians for all our professional needs?
There are over 2,000 professionals who are Rotarians in this district. That’s a huge number of ethical business people. Indeed, regardless of what you may need, there is probably a Rotarian that can do the job for your fairly and ethically. Our E-Yellow pages, found on our District website, can be used to locate these professionals. You can advertise your business on the site as well, for a rather nominal charge: nothing!
Let’s remember that it is Rotarians doing business with Rotarians. The distinction here is that one must first prove themselves a Rotarian before they have earned the right to expect to receive business as a result of joining a club.
Vocational service is far more than just doing business. It’s the practice and teaching of ethics, of mentoring and of using our vocational talents in fulfilling various projects and needs within our communities and our world. One should not join a club just to allow others to read your resume; you join to teach others to read.
We teach the value of ethics in the work place through our speech, art and music contests and can serve as mentors to those youth seeking a possible career in our chosen field.
Let’s develop, or more accurately, return to finding ways to promote our business, to seek professional relationships with fellow members, participate in career days at our local schools, seek students to participate in our contests and actively find worthy candidates for vocational scholarships.
In today’s world, if there was ever a better time for Rotarians to do business with one another, it is now!
Senior Assistant Governor Ray Brown heads our efforts in this area. He also is an Executive for All American Home Center, a large independent endeavor that has survived decades, even while being literally next door to a “major” in the industry, by practicing high standards for quality and customer care. He can help with ideas, programs and information to return your club back the basics while becoming bigger, better and bolder!
-Doug