Question about Rotary Club (Vanity)

[cid89]

I have been asked to join the Rotary Club and I am looking for some information about it. Please give me your comments, good or bad. I have checked their website and talked to the people I know but I know that there is a wealth of information here.

[cid89]

Thank you for your comments

[Onelifetogive]

I don't know Rotarians specifically, but I am a Kiwanian. I highly recommend getting involved with a community service organization (such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, etc). I have made great friends and find great satisfaction in "serving the children of the world".*

* Kiwanis motto.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I have an uncle who is in it...besides having to wear moose antelers and howl at the moon, he says it's a pretty good organization.

[Stingray51]

Do any of these organizations have a Masonic affiliation?

[spudsmaki]

It's an honor to be asked, accept it in the same spirit. Assume as much responsibility as you can handle, you'll improve your circle of friends. Maybe you'll even do a year as chapter president.

Ask your employer to reimburse some or all of your expenses, this should be a boon to your employer. If your employer balks, well, you'll have lots of contacts after a while.

[ccmay]

My Dad is a Rotarian. It is a very worthy organization. They have true camaraderie and do lots of good works including trying to stamp out polio worldwide.

Unfortunately, people in my generation are not really club joiners, and so it is becoming an old-folks' home. I go to lunch with my Dad at his club every now and again and it's been a long time since I saw any young faces.

If my work schedule didn't change every single week, and if I could find a club with a higher proportion of men my age, I would consider joining too.

-ccm

[richardtavor]

I highly recommend it. I have been a member and it is a very worthwhile service and social organization. It is also an excellent way to meet locals in your community. They have no underlying agenda and have no Kookiness.

[DrNo]

It's an honor to be asked, accept it in the same spirit.

Dittoes!! My wife is president of her Rotary. Although they don't get much publicity, Rotary has been instrumental in combatting polio worldwide (they actually plan to eliminate it shortly), and they have a wonderful program called "gift of life."

It flies people to the U.S. who need operations or treatments that are not available in their home country, and it flies doctors and dentists to remote parts of the world to provide treatment. (At no charge; all expenses are paid by donations from Rotarians.)

I could go on, but you get the idea. Rotarians are some of my favorite people!

[cid89]

Thanks for the information. I have found nothing negative about the organization but I wanted to do one last check before agreeing to join.

[dinasour]

"Do any of these organizations have a Masonic affiliation?"

No. The Shriners do, however.

[IMHO]

Yeah, its a great club, except for that human sacrifice part...but you get used to it.

[dutchess]

I have belonged to Rotary for 15 years (was the 2nd female inducted in our community, now we're about half and half). I agree with the previous poster that both Rotary and Kiwanis are great ways to network as well as support community projects. (and neither is associated with the masons!)

Locally our Rotary Club is big on college scholarships. Rotary International has been very involved in a polio plus program with the goal of eliminating polio world wide. Our club has also taken on an international project supporting an orphanage in Romania and we actually helped get the first Rotary Club started in Romania this year.

It's also a great way to meet people in other communities as you're encouraged to do "make up" meetings elsewhere when you're traveling. I've actually been to meetings in Poland, Spain as well as other parts of the US. So I would encourage you consider it, there are some in our club who just attend meetings for fellowship and others who are very active but I have found it very rewarding.

BTW, our club is very conservative and this past year we had our US Senator and frequently have our US Reps. as speakers as well as an Ohio Supreme Court Justice AND we jointly hosted Sec.Treasurer Paul O'Neil with the Kiwanis Club last month. (AND WE ARE A SMALL RURAL CLUB!)

[JimVT]

I was a Rotarian in two states and enjoyed the experience.

Good business and social relationships, worthwhile causes, usually a lousy lunch but what the heck.

Like any org. you get benefits in relationship to the effort you put in. Join a committee, accept an office.

I was in when it was an all male org.

Others may speak to today's Rotary.

[Theo]

Decent organization, not affiliated with Free Masonry. I worked at an agricultural school deep in Mexico that was helped a great deal by the Rotary Club. My oncologist is a Rotarian, a very gracious physician.

[AppyPappy]

Kiwanis here as well. Also a former Lion

[Thomas Truxtun]

I have been a proud and energetic Rotarian for some time!! I consider it one of the best decisions I have ever made!

[dutchess]

Didn't realize there were so many freeper Rotarians. Think we can count this as a makeup????? ;^)

[Onelifetogive]

Do any of these organizations have a Masonic affiliation?

Can't speak for the others, but Kiwanis has no "mystical" side. Pure community service. No secret anything.

[Stingray51]

Thanks. That's good.