Your voice, your solution for describing Rotary

At 8:52AM on 2 April 2009, Arun. wrote: Rotary is a common platform for all the rotarians to work towards a common goal ,i.e. service to mankind without any personal ego's involved.

At 9:56AM on 31 March 2009, NASIRU BABA wrote: I WILL DESCRIBE ROTARY CLUB AS A SELFLESS SERVICE SOCIETY BELONGING TO A GROUP OF SERVICE MINDED PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE,WHO HAS A UNIQUE AND UNIVERSAL MISSION OF MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL. NASIRU BABA ...NIGERIA

At 11:47AM on 26 January 2009, shittu waheed abiola wrote: rotary is service to humanity.more info check...www.rotary.org

At 9:32AM on 15 January 2009, Henry Bradley III, D7260 Long Island USA wrote: I visit "your voices" often. I have used several of the "describing Rotary" phrases. Whichever phrase I use I always close with the following. "Rotary is a win-win service organization. The local and international communities that we serve benefit from our beliefs, actions and willingness to serve. Those who Share Rotary with us hoping to network; once they see value in "Service Above Self" eventually will willingly serve. Those who Share Rotary with us that have a need or want to serve as they see value in Rotary fellowship will eventually network. Rotary is definitely a win-win service organization. Which one interests you the most?” It also works well for member retention and at business networking events. Be prepared to exchange business cards or your Rotary card. If you chose to you can give them the blue "What's Rotary" (419en) small tri-fold with a label on the back (middle section) that includes your name, club name, club website, club (or your) phone number, and club (or your) email address. Remember to talk loud enough without shouting that others might hear you. The 3-foot rule, it's not always the person that your talking to that becomes interested. If you’re not picking them up to bring them to your club meeting, have your program or membership chair confirm your invite. Most important...Follow-up!

At 9:33AM on 15 January 2009, Sanju Choudhury wrote: Rotary for me is nothing but HOPE. Rotarian's needs to have this glued in there body, in there mind, in there blood, that each day when they open there eyes for another beautiful day, the word HOPE should also wake up with that individual. When you go back to bed and as you close your eyes, thank lord you had gotten one more opportunity to help, save, give shelter, give light, share love, and bring that HOPE to those who were looking for, with there ever longing eyes. You do not have to be a Rotarian to save life, you if need guidance call a Rotarian he will walk you through.

At 11:05AM on 12 January 2009, Tanman wrote: I had an occassion to attend a Rotary club meeting in India as a guest of a club official. I was surprised to see that the main agenda (unwritten) of the meeting was USA bashing. I think this was totally unprofessional and should be discouraged. I don't know if this is common to the meetings held in India. India has gained a lot from USA and should be grateful to the country and not speak in disparaging terms. I hope you can pass this message on to all the constituents of your esteemed club. Thank you

At 1:42PM on 8 December 2008, 'Wunmi Oyewole RC,Agege D9110 Nig wrote: In a few words,' ROTARY gives you room to prove the love for humanity in you'

At 9:25AM on 19 November 2008, John T. Capps III, Charter President, RC of Morehead City-Noon, NC, USA, D-7730 wrote: Rotary Clubs and Rotarians are the Good Samaritans along the paths of opportunity in our communities and world.

At 1:15PM on 10 November 2008, Jim McNair wrote: PDG Scot Clifford, Dist. 5280, Los Angeles, CA has a 10 second and 30 second elevator ride desription of Rotary as follows: 30 Second Reply: "Rotary is the world's oldest and most important service organization with over 1,200,000 members in more than 30,000 clubs spread throughout 160 countries. Rotary provides clean water to those without it, feeds the hungry, battles crippling, debilitating and disfiguring diseases and helps people learn to read and write so they can compete in the modern workplace. Rotarians are business and professional leaders who aspire to the highest ethical standards in their vocations and who not only help those in need in their own communities but who also seek to advance the cause of peace, understanding and goodwill worldwide through scholarships, youth and adult exchanges and humanitarian projects." 10 Second Reply: "Rotary is the world's oldest and most important service organization. It provides clean water to those without it, feeds the hungry, battles crippling, debilitating and disfiguring diseases and helps people learn to read and write so they can compete in the modern workplace."

At 8:41AM on 31 October 2008, DGSC SANDIE SAN DIEGO of R.I. District 3770 wrote: Rotary is one of the largest and the first service organization of business and professional persons whose works make a great difference in the lives of people around the world for more than a century now.

At 10:24AM on 30 October 2008, Rtn. Ronald 'Luke' Lucas wrote: Rotary is a group of professionals using their talents to help people in need. Unlike the perception of most non-Rotarians, Rotary is not only for old people. As a matter of fact, I believe that the average age of Rotarians are now becoming younger and younger. Also, Rotary activities are good venues of fellowship wherein you meet different people everyday, mostly with the passion to help the less fortunate people.

At 10:25AM on 30 October 2008, Rtn. Kristina Rubio wrote: Rotary bridges the gap between dreams and reality.

At 10:27AM on 30 October 2008, Rtn PP P.R.Aruloli, Technical Advisor, TRF of TRI. Club-Chennai Phoenix. wrote: I would start the introduction of service by an individual to the society and the satisfaction derived by them while serving others in their own limited way and describe Rotary as an opportunity to serve the society as a group of service minded people across the globe doing great service to humanity as a Team and invite him to rotary to make the dreams of needy real.

At 9:04AM on 29 October 2008, CR.MOHAN wrote: Rotary is the other name for Services. Like the Sun for the Day, Moon for the night, Teacher for Student, Rotary is for Community Service. Rotary carves our careers thru its Vocational Services, Rotary teaches us thru its Community Services, Rotary makes us to learn about Management thru its Club Administration, Rotary enhances our knowledge thru its International Services. Rotary makes us to understand and feel by ourselves that "giving is living" thru ROTARY FOUNDATION"...the Sacred Foundation on the Globe. Rotary is part of my life....CR Mohan, Past President, Rotary Club of Vijayawada Midtown, RI Dist 3020, India

At 9:04AM on 29 October 2008, Cielo Molina wrote: Rotary people give more than expected and they do it cheerfully asking nothing in return.

At 9:13AM on 28 October 2008, T K Balakrishnan wrote: Rotary enriches lives of people

At 10:36AM on 27 October 2008, RTN. SYED AZMATULLAH RC: CHENNAI PHOENIX RD: 3230 wrote: To quickly describe Rotary, I will mention: It is a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

At 11:27AM on 24 October 2008, Peter Stevenson wrote: Rotary is a world community of 1.2 million business and professional men and women. They are organised into over 30,000 clubs in 174 countries. These provide the opportunity for good fellowship, fund raising activities and charitable work in their communities and around the world. The Rotary motto is 'Service above Self'.

At 4:12PM on 22 October 2008, Warren Megget wrote: Rotary is an exclusive group of people who make up a Global Network of Community Volunteers who get together each week to have a nice meal, hear a good speaker, and have a heap of fun.

At 8:46AM on 21 October 2008, Giovanna McKay, PP wrote: Rotary is a service organization that paves the way for little things to progress as Rotarians volunteer their efforts to improve the quality of life in their own community and beyond its borders. Our participation in its many diversified activities have also resulted to some lifelong friendships being made along the way and that alone may be reason enough for you to join.

At 8:47AM on 21 October 2008, Terry Bass wrote: Dave Templin of Rotary One gave me this one ---- Rotary is ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

At 8:52AM on 20 October 2008, Dr Dipak Sarbadhikari, RC Calcutta India wrote: Describing Rotary: Rotary is a wonderfful worldwide fellowship of peers working together, volunteering their time and skills for the improvement of their communities.

At 8:53AM on 20 October 2008, MKO Balogun wrote: My text: Are you aware that out of the five continents in the world, polio and all childhood diseases have been eradicated in three? This is due to the effort of Rotarians and Rotarian friends all over the world who have raised over $1b US Dollars for this effort and are unrellenting until it is cleared for the other two continents. Rotary is an association of business and professsional men and women worldwide who dedicate their time, resources and energy to enusre the world peace, good health, poverty eradiction, provision of water and sanitation, scholarships etc. Being a member of Rotary club you are a friend to over 1,2m people all over the world.

At 8:53AM on 20 October 2008, Dr. Prasad Punnoose wrote: ROTARY is when business/professionals like you come together to build life long friendships and enjoy quality fellowship in order to go out to do meaningful and selfless service in the society under one banner, ROTARY; Rotary is nothing more and nothing less.

At 8:54AM on 20 October 2008, Rtn Sujata Srinivasan wrote: Rotay is to Share,Care and Spare(time and money) with the under previleged the world over (this will take the time taken to travel in an elevator)

At 8:55AM on 20 October 2008, Binod Khaitan RC Central Calcutta RID 3291 wrote: Rotary is an worldwide organization consisting of 33,000 Clubs having 1.22 million members, both business and professionals, united in friendship & fellowship, while encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations, providing humanitarian service, and helping build understanding, goodwill and peace in the world.

At 8:56AM on 20 October 2008, Andrew L. Morzello wrote: Rotary is a world-wide association of over 1 million women and men doing good in the world by serving others through and by friendship.

At 8:48AM on 20 October 2008, DGN SCARIA JOSE 3211,INDIA wrote: Rotary is an association of credible men and women in different vocations, who believes that through humanitarian service we can attain world peace. Rotary helps to transform the live of needy poor and it helps Rotary members in turn to leave HEART PRINTS on the path of life

At 8:46AM on 20 October 2008, Carlos Frum wrote: We have 39 comments in 8 days. If we wait enough we will have 1,200,000 different definitions. I guess PDG Dave Waring of 6440 is right: "Rotary is whatever you want it to be!"

At 11:58AM on 16 October 2008, Bill Green Rotary Club of Walsall wrote: For a Rotarian to say what Rotary means to them in the elevator is unlikely to do the trick because they will talk about what is important to them and we naturally assume everyone wants to listen to what we have to say. But human nature is that the other person wants to tell you what they think. What we have to do is to get the other person talking about Rotary and giving a response that is relevant to them. So how do we do that? I would say something like "You know, I think there are two types of people in the world. Those who use their success to help make the world better for everyone and those who just make it better for themselves." Then the hardest part is you shut up and let them talk. What they say will tell you if they will make a Rotarian or not. Based on their response you then say, “ I do so agree with you. That is the kind of view that made me become a Rotarian. I think you would like it too. Can I get your details so I can invite you to meet some other people who think like us?" Of course if they say, “Yes. I like making it better for me and not for others” You have just found out in 15 seconds what could have cost you a day and a your club a lunch, to find out.

At 8:52AM on 16 October 2008, francis anyaeji wrote: keep the good work going

At 8:53AM on 16 October 2008, Dr Gautam Jahagirdar RC Gulbarga North RI Dist 3160 wrote: I have asked this question to myself many times but could not find a convincing answer. Rotary is a congregation of good people who are concerned about community they live in & want to lend their helping hand to solve the problems of the community around them. When the Rotarians throughout the world think in these lines, the world becomes a better place to live in.

At 8:54AM on 16 October 2008, dr.mukesh shah.rotary club of Amedabad Metro.India wrote: we are the group of people having addiction of "Rotary" where we can not survive unless we meet every week so that we have more & more bonding amoung ourself which encourage us doing more & more humatarian works for needy & underpriviledged persons.

At 2:00PM on 15 October 2008, Dee Mencer wrote: Rotary is an organization that adheres to the 4 Way Test: Of the things we say, hear and do is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build good will and friendships, will it be beneficial to all concerned?

At 11:52AM on 15 October 2008, Pat Peck wrote: Rotary opens doors to service around the world and when you serve others you very simply serve yourself. We are all ONE peoplel.

At 9:33AM on 16 October 2008, Charles Starnes in Plainview, Texas wrote: Rotary is your community and business leaders improving the lives of the people in our town. We give dictionaries to third graders, develop the leadership of high schoolers, deliver meals to the homebound, and build recreation facilities for everyone at the city park. And we have a great time doing it. We're also part of an international group of Rotary Clubs bringing our resources together to do big things. How big, you ask? We're wiping polio from the face of the earth, we're rescuing victims of disaster, we're building schools. If you want to know more, give me a call (hand over business card or club visit invitation card). Thanks for asking about Rotary. I'm convinced we can make dreams real. (That's a 35 second blurb).

At 9:15AM on 13 October 2008, PDG Patrick Coleman wrote: In D9210 we emphasise publicity on projects. The Rotary Club of Luanshya has completed over 35 water projects, distributed over 1,000 wheelchairs and given away almost 5,000 insecticide treated mosquito nets in the past five years. When asked to describe Rotary we point at the projects and say: "We are the people who make a difference in our world both at home and around the globe. We do good in the world." (Our club has more than doubled in size in the past 15 months.) Showing what Rotary is beats telling what Rotary is.

At 9:13AM on 13 October 2008, ilknur özer wrote: feel,live and trust your energy to do the best way of problem solving all around the world by the rotarians

At 9:13AM on 13 October 2008, dr sudhir chaudhary rot from dist3080 wrote: rotary is the oldest service organization where the motto is service above self.each rotarian shares his\her talent,timeand treasure to alleviate the sufferingsof the people and tries to give them a better world.

At 9:13AM on 13 October 2008, PDG Kishabhau Godbole D 3030 wrote: Rotary does good work through its 15% true members and 85% also "ran" members.

At 9:14AM on 13 October 2008, Frank Devlyn wrote: The best tip of the day as we ride this elevator is for you to click on to www.Rotary.org There has to be something to a growing organization that meets once a week in more than 33,500 Rotary Clubs in over 200 countries and geoografical areas with over 1.2 million members. CHECK US OUT at ROTARY.ORG

At 9:16AM on 13 October 2008, Rtn.Pradeep Kr. Shrestha RC Of Rajdhani,Kathmandu,Nepal wrote: Rotary is an organisation of people of different profession who has gained hight in their respective field or destined to gain,getting together to share experiences,achievements,joy and sorrow and at the same time committed to humanitarian activities for better health,education,environment water and water food for everyon without any discremination adhering to four way test:truth,fair,goodwill and friendship and benefit to all concerned.

At 9:17AM on 13 October 2008, Rotarian Sandra from Kentucky wrote: ROTARY is an International organization that serves community both locally and internationally. The membership consists of professional men and women working together in an organization of fellowship and service. Their successes are not individual but rather team driven sucess that result in life changing events around the world.

At 9:17AM on 13 October 2008, PDG Subhash Saraf 3131 Pune India wrote: Rotary is a leding non-governmental service organization of community volunteers doing good in the world.

At 9:18AM on 13 October 2008, RGHF CEO Jack Selway wrote: I belong to an organization where doing good in our communities and the world brings many of us to life long friendships. It's called Rotary International and the world needs folks like you to join and work with us.

At 9:18AM on 13 October 2008, Rtn. PP. Krishna Prasad. R wrote: an empathetic organisation of professionals who enjoys responding to the call of the society

At 9:19AM on 13 October 2008, Michael Angelo Caruso wrote: Great topic! The elevator speech is really about creating what I call "pyschological attraction." Anyone can describe Rotary and be basically correct, but the real goal of an elevator speech is positioning the message so the other person wants to know more. To that end, it's important to spend time talking to the person before delivering your 15 second speech. It's the fifteen minutes before the 15 seconds that really matters. -Michael Angelo Caruso, www.EdisonHouse.com

At 9:12AM on 13 October 2008, steve holmes wrote: Over the last month or two, I have asked myself more than once, why am I a Rotarian? I recounted all of the projects and donations made by our club over the years. Although all of them were extremely rewarding, they just didn’t answer my own question as to why I am a Rotarian. Last Saturday, I attended a pancake breakfast at the Lions club of South Daytona and presented them a check for $200.00 on behalf of the Edgewater Rotary Club. The money is being raised to purchase a $6000.00 camera to check children’s vision. I noticed how they interacted together and thoroughly enjoyed their work and the time they spend together in their fund raising effort. I left wondering why they were Lion’s members and not Rotarians. Also last Saturday, a bathroom tile fell off the wall at my house. Seemed simple enough to repair but I thought I’d better see if any others were loose. Hours later the entire bathroom was stripped to the bare studs and block wall and the tub was on the way out too. I had never replaced bathroom walls suitable to hold tile nor replace a tub. What do I do now? I guess I’d better seek some advice. I drove over to one of our member’s homes around the corner and explained my dilemma to her husband, a former Rotarian and Past president of our club. He dropped what he was doing and jumped in his truck to see what I had gotten myself into. He explained how to proceed and offered some time and money saving advice. After he left, I thought of how many times over the years I needed something or someone needed something of me and with out hesitation they or I just showed up. In most cases it was always a Rotarian. I finally got it. Why I am a Rotarian. Not because of the local projects we do, and not because of world projects we help with. It’s you, my fellow Rotarians. That’s why I am a Rotarian. Thank you, one and all. Back to the bathroom.

At 9:13AM on 13 October 2008, Rtn Lakshman Sreedharala RC AKP RI DIST 3020 wrote: Rotary is the oldest orgonisation in the world, had its birth in the year 1905 with only 4 members, who gave more importance to fellowship than service. In recent years it is not only sticking to fellowship but also spreading its hands to service through many avenues viz. ambassodorial scholorships, group study exchange, polio plus and many more to tell. I can strongly say that the 21st century child is very fortunate because of Rotary's effort in eradicating Polio from this earth

At 9:20AM on 13 October 2008, AG Binod Khaitan RID 3291 wrote: Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide in friendship & understanding, while providing humanitarian service, encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations and helping build goodwill and peace in the world.

At 9:21AM on 13 October 2008, Robert Strachan wrote: We are a group of men and women who work to make things better for others. In doing so we seek either fun or satisfaction, or hopefully both. Come to a meeting and find out more for yourself.

At 9:23AM on 13 October 2008, Rtn.PP Arun Bhargava, Rotary club of Nagpur, Dist.3030 wrote: Rotary is a organization of Professional people of different vocations, where they come together to understand each other.We meet every week to listen speaker from different vocation on different Topic. We more belive in community service , We organize medical & non medical projects for the community. Our TRF is one of the biggest service trust in the world, doing lot of charity work in different field.

At 9:25AM on 13 October 2008, Rtn PP Prof R Panchanadhan wrote: How do you describe Rotary in less time than it takes to ride in an elevator? No candle loses its lustre while lighting another candle. This is the principle underlying Service Above Self motto of Rotary International. It’s the commitment to the society through which Rotary International has carved a niche.

At 4:21PM on 10 October 2008, Debbie Willard D6510 wrote: The most concise one I have ever heard is from PDG Jack Langowski . . . Rotary is professional men and women doing good works.

At 3:59PM on 10 October 2008, Roy Kaple, PDG District 7770 SC USA wrote: Rotary is a World Wide Service Organization made up of Professional Women, and Men. Rotarians offer Hope where there is Despair, Health where there is Disease, Nurishment where there is Hunger, and Compasion where there is Indifference. Rotarians do this without personal gain or recognition. Fellowship in the local club fuels the engine of SERVICE ABOVE SELF.

At 4:22PM on 9 October 2008, Paul Francis, Sr. wrote: Borrowed and compiled from above: Rotary is a worldwide movement of more than 1.24 million business, professional, and community leaders who have volunteered their time, money, resources, experience and expertise to help others in making the world a better place to live. Rotary supports great causes such as local community organizations and projects to world wide missions such as the eradication of Polio. To date Rotary has helped immunize over 2 Billion children and helped almost wipe Polio out of existence. Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” is taken very seriously among our members. We meet weekly and develop programs locally, nationally and internationally while having great fun and fellowship. Perhaps you would like to join me at a meeting to learn more about what we do?

At 9:49AM on 10 October 2008, Bob Higgins wrote: Rotary is groups of ordinary men and women who offer the skills and talent derived from their life experiences and their vocation collectively with a common aim to do good in the world by giving support and service to communities locally and internationally. It is worldwide with 1.2m members, encompassing all religions and cultures, who sign up to our motto of “Service Above Self”. Our visibility locally is through our projects for the young, the disadvantaged and those in need. Internationally we have initiatives on such pressing issues as reducing child mortality, the environment, illiteracy and world hunger. Our number one international priority is to eradicate polio. We have been involved in the vaccination of over 2.0b children in 122 countries over the past 23 years but whilst significant progress has been made the job continues. Interesting?

At 12:40PM on 9 October 2008, PDG Rafiq Siddique RID 3280 wrote: Rotary is an organization whose members meet 33000 times in a week, once in a week in their respective clubs, all over the world, to do something to help others by pulling together their strength of imagination, professional acumen mingled with high ethical standards and also money.

At 9:50AM on 10 October 2008, RAVEENB.V. ROTARY CUBBON PARK RI 3190 wrote: toughest job in the world is to serve others except for the rotarians . As there is a great similarity between mother earth and rotary, 24X7 they do their bit earth rotating, rotary serving, neither earth stops to bring new day OR rotary stops bring a new smile. Only good rotarians can do this, others are just members of rotary clubs. ''Let us bring rotary into members rather than members into rotary''

At 8:36AM on 9 October 2008, Mary Sloan wrote: Rotary is an organization of business people who work together to solve local and international humanitarian problems in order to spread good will and peace. Perhaps you would like to join me at a meeting to learn more about what we do.

At 8:37AM on 9 October 2008, Rtn. Girish Mittal wrote: Rotary is that orgnisation which has almost eradicated polio in the world. The children stopped dying after Rotarians vowed to eradicate Polio. It is the greatest service organisation in the world.

At 8:41AM on 9 October 2008, PDG Aswini Kar wrote: Rotary is a worldwide movement of more than 1.24 million business, professional, and community leaders who have volunteered their time, money, resources, experience and expertise to help others in making the world a better place to live in and to create awareness on various issues concerning people and the world. Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

At 4:23PM on 8 October 2008, Steve Bell wrote: Rotary is an international service organization. The members of Rotary promote goodwill and charity all over the world. Their efforts support great causes from your local community organizations and projects to world wide missions such as the eradication of Polio. It is the joint coalition of over a million fine Rotary members working together in their universal mission to make the world a better place. Does this sound like something that you would like to be part of or know how to support?

At 2:35PM on 8 October 2008, Rtn Paul Agbroko, D9140 Nigeria wrote: Rotary is the world's largest private service organisationof more than 1.2 million men and women (organised in some 32,000 clubs in all parts of the world) who have set a bold agenda of working selflessly to make the world a better place for all peoples of the world

At 8:42AM on 9 October 2008, Larry Womack wrote: I would let them know that Rotary is comprised of local leaders and business people who looking out for the best interests of the community in which they live. We do this by supporting various community groups and school organization. We also have an International Committe that looks for projects that we can help either by financial support or actual work in underserved countries throughout the world. Our group also has a foundation that promotes education through its many scholorships that are awarded each year. I would also let them know that our motto of Service Above Self is taken very seriously among our members.

At 10:50AM on 8 October 2008, Jeanette Burgess wrote: Rotary is the oldest and greatest service organisation in the world. It is in the process of eradicating polio and provides overseas aid, assists youth with a whole range of programs and is vocationally based. We meet weekly and develop programs locally, nationally and internationally while having great fun and fellowship.

At 9:21AM on 8 October 2008, Ray Sanford wrote: Rotary is the largest service organization in the world with over 1.2 million members. One of Rotary's signature projects has been to eradicate Polio off the face of the Earth. To date Rotary has helped immunize over 2 Billion children.

At 9:22AM on 8 October 2008, RTN. SYED AZMATULLAH RC: CHENNAI PHOENIX RD: 3230 wrote: To quickly describe Rotary, I will mention the four particular objects of Rotary in short as: FIRST. The development of acquaintance for service SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, THIRD. The application of the ideal of service FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through world fellowship.