At yesterday's meeting, I again witnessed numerous opportunities to be involved and to be of serice being presented. Everywhere I looked I saw worthwhile causes being presented where I could contribute time and money. It quickly became clear to me that I simply couldn't do it all, and would have to pick and choose. Otherwise, I would be working full time for Rotary, and would soon also be broke! That gives me a headache!
Luckily, Steve Sayler - the President, himself, of RB Sunrise - offered to spend some time with me after the meeting to explain how things fit together, and how we are organized. Thanks Steve! I found that invaluable.
It turns out that RB Sunrise is actually organized into 6 divisions: Club Service; Vocational Service; Community Service; International Service; Foundation; and Membership. Within each division are various functions and programs. Therefore, a new guy like me can pick and choose which divisions and which programs that I would like to participate in. No need to do it all! Just pick and choose from the numerous opportunities that are there, based on my own preferences and comfort level.
Now that's how you spell R-e-l-i-e-f!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Got my Red Badge - so what does that mean?
Yesterday, Oct. 30, I was inducted (indicted??) into RB Sunrise Rotary in a painless ceremony. As part of the ceremony, I was handed an information packet which answered a couple of my questions.
The first question I had was what does Red Badge mean? It turns out that a new member has a little red badge placed on his name tag to identify him as a new member. In order to have the red badge removed - a goal - the new member must complete enough tasks to earn 10 points. There is a smorgasboard of tasks that can be completed, or the member could probably cheat a little, and do 1 task 10 times! Tasks include, for example, leading the pledge of allegiance; giving a short "who am I" icebreaker speech; attending a board meeting; etc. Nothing that will kill you outright!
The second question I had is, now that I'm a member, what are my responsibilities and obligations? I was told that there are numerous ways for me to get involved in Rotary, and the president himself would brief me on some of those ways. Otherwise, I stand the chance of becoming a RINO - Rotary in Name Only. That could be fatal, so I'm looking forward to the discussion.
The first question I had was what does Red Badge mean? It turns out that a new member has a little red badge placed on his name tag to identify him as a new member. In order to have the red badge removed - a goal - the new member must complete enough tasks to earn 10 points. There is a smorgasboard of tasks that can be completed, or the member could probably cheat a little, and do 1 task 10 times! Tasks include, for example, leading the pledge of allegiance; giving a short "who am I" icebreaker speech; attending a board meeting; etc. Nothing that will kill you outright!
The second question I had is, now that I'm a member, what are my responsibilities and obligations? I was told that there are numerous ways for me to get involved in Rotary, and the president himself would brief me on some of those ways. Otherwise, I stand the chance of becoming a RINO - Rotary in Name Only. That could be fatal, so I'm looking forward to the discussion.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Why join Rotary?
I was asked why I joined Rotary? What caused me to make the drive at 6:45 AM to my first Rotary meeting? Afterall, for some of us, 7:15 AM meetings are EARLY.
Well, it wasn't the scrambled eggs, although they are just that - scrambled eggs.
There are 2 reasons that I decided to check out Rotary. First, I'm in business. Recently, I became acquainted with several people who mentioned that they are Rotarians. After hearing this a number of times, and they are people I respect and am comfortable being associated with, I decided that perhaps I should look into Rotary for purposes of business networking.
This decision was made just after I decided to leave another networking group that I found to be a very poor fit for me. It's not that I expect lots of business to come immediatley flooding to my door as a result of networking with other Rotarians, but, rather, that I can associate with others on a professional level. I hope to be able to develop both friendship and business relationships with these people - over time.
The second reason for joining Rotary is, again, another vacuum - community involvement and service. I recently left another organization where I served as Vice President. There, unfortunately, I had discovered some rather unethical behavior by the leadership of the organization, and felt that I should resign and remove myself from the organization. There was no way I, alone, could cause improvement or change. Who needs that kind of distraction in a service organization?
So I'm looking for involvement and service on a personal level. Rotary seems to offer that.
So those are the two main reasons I'm in my car driving to mediocre scrambled eggs at 6:45 AM. It ain't just the eggs!
Well, it wasn't the scrambled eggs, although they are just that - scrambled eggs.
There are 2 reasons that I decided to check out Rotary. First, I'm in business. Recently, I became acquainted with several people who mentioned that they are Rotarians. After hearing this a number of times, and they are people I respect and am comfortable being associated with, I decided that perhaps I should look into Rotary for purposes of business networking.
This decision was made just after I decided to leave another networking group that I found to be a very poor fit for me. It's not that I expect lots of business to come immediatley flooding to my door as a result of networking with other Rotarians, but, rather, that I can associate with others on a professional level. I hope to be able to develop both friendship and business relationships with these people - over time.
The second reason for joining Rotary is, again, another vacuum - community involvement and service. I recently left another organization where I served as Vice President. There, unfortunately, I had discovered some rather unethical behavior by the leadership of the organization, and felt that I should resign and remove myself from the organization. There was no way I, alone, could cause improvement or change. Who needs that kind of distraction in a service organization?
So I'm looking for involvement and service on a personal level. Rotary seems to offer that.
So those are the two main reasons I'm in my car driving to mediocre scrambled eggs at 6:45 AM. It ain't just the eggs!
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