........Fireside Chats ........Fireside Chats Past District Governor Reg Lightfoot has, in the past, provided "Fireside Chats" to new members as a way of introducing them to some of the insights of Rotary Club membership.
Obviously when one becomes involved in the administration of one's club, it is important that a full appreciation of the background of international and club structures is of immense benefit.
The use of " fireside chats " enables the more expierienced members of the club to initiate new members and executive officers of the club to pass on that expierience they have acquired to the newer members and those who have accepted executive obligations.
To understand the whole structures of Rotary, one must spend some time on it's formation.
These notes will give the basis, but much more information is available in Rotary books and pamphlets or on Rotary web sites.
History of Rotary:
Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, was aware in the early part of the 20th century, of the great need for assistance to many severely oppressed people in the city of Chicago.
At the same time he could see the value in closer association with skilled people, he was associated with, who could bring a greater force to bear on various issues that needed attention.
With this in mind he co-opted the help of three associates, of different professions, background and religions to help provide the assistance required to others less fortunate.
The founding group became:
Paul Harris - Lawyer.
Gus Lochre - Mining Engineer
Sylvester Schiele - Coal Dealer
Hiram Shorey - Tailor
The first gathering was held on, February 2nd, 1905, at, Dearborn Street, Chicago.
"Development of Rotary:"
Rotary, which got it's name because the early meetings were rotated
over the four original members place of work, soon attracted interest
because of the things they achieved and consequently membership
increased.
The wagon wheel of six spokes, 24 cogs and a keyway soon became well
known and two new clubs soon followed, 1907 and 1908, in California.
Rotary became international in 1910, by the formation of a club in
Winnipeg, Canada.
The constitution was revised in 1912 and the name changed to Rotary
International.
In that year there were 50 clubs with 5000 members.
By 1918 there were 400 clubs with in excess of 40,000 members.
1924 - 100,000 members
1903 - 150,000 "
2000 - 1.25 million "
Basic aims of Rotary :
Rotary International expects every Club and every individual Rotarian, to display an attitude of caring and compassion to all, beginning at Club level, moving to a community aspect, than widening to National and International levels.
This concept is clearly shown in the following:
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprises and in particular to encourage and foster:
First: The development of acquaintance's 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 by each Rotarian of his /her occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
Third: The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his personal, community and business life.
Fourth: The advancement of International understanding, goodwill and peace throughout the world, fellowship of business and professional people, united in the ideal of service.
These four requirements of a Rotarian are usually referred to as the - " Four avenues of service " and Club committees are so designed to focus attention and planning to achieve specific success in the areas of , Club, Community, International and Vocational Service.
One noted American Rotarian, Herbert Taylor, summarised all planning, to achieve success in the above fields to a simple
" Four Way Test "
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better understanding?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Now to the " nitty gritty " of Club life and what is expected of its leaders.
Presumably, to be a good leader demands certain capabilities such as the following:
A good leader - Plans
Directs
Predicts
Assesses
Congratulates
Exhorts to greater effort
Administers
Covers a line of retreat
Amends plans where necessary
Leadership requirements ; Humility and honesty
Praise for an adversary
One who can lose a battle but not the war
The most important: ENTHUSIASM, without which everything falters.
Examples are, Churchill's effect on the war effort and Hillary's determination to top Mount Everest
YOU MUST BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN CAPABILITIES AND BE ENTHUSIASTIC IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SUCCEED
All of this will be important to you in your Club position for this year.
Be your own person, don't try to be someone different because you assume a new role.
We are all different and that's what makes Rotary, a variation of ideas.
To be a President:
Most clubs, including this one, seem to lose their way from time to
time and this may be due to the following.
Loss of membership
Pre- occupied with other interests
Pressure from family or business
Lack of committment
SHORTAGE ON LEADERSHIP
How to correct this slide.
It is important to identify poor performance, than to do something about it.
By enthusiasm leading from the front, marshalling all your strengths, demanding performance, planning, recording successess and building on them.
Regular club assemblies assist in identifying success and failure.
Because the role of a President is critical to a club's success, or failure, the President must choose his deputies with great care, looking for ability, stability, faith in his judgement, fair in his criticism and a knowledge of rotary.
A president must have a good overall appreciation, of all duties performed within the club and be enthusiastic in support of his club's members.
A speaker once said - " One must be exhilarated to work, not driven to work ".
Much of the previous details applies to the position of Secretary whose main responsibilities are:-
Records and collates all information.
Receives and responds to all correspondence.
Directs mail to respective directors.
Maintains historical records.
Handles all reporting to District, Rotary Down Under and Rotary International.
Guides President in all areas of the club's activities.
There are many other responsibilities in this position, which is the back bone of the club.
This position is ideal grounding for future Presidents.
Club's finances can reach perolous states if the treasurer does not fulfill functions adequately, therefore the following must occur:-
Account for all money transactions.
Prepare and pay, District, Rotary International and Rotary Down Under dues.
Draw cheques covering Board expenditure.
Prepare and maintain budgets for the club.
Collect and record members subscriptions.
Inform President and members of current financial situation.