Your Voice, Your Solution for facing a tough economy

At 10:55AM on 10 November 2009, Robert Capobianco wrote: When we find out that a member has lost his job or is in financial difficulty those of us who are fortunate enough to have jobs pitch in and pay his dues and his meals until he can get back on his feet. We feel that this is the way of the brotherhood of Rotary. These are difficult times for many but its is in the giving that we recieve.

At 9:30AM on 5 August 2009, Paul Bogere wrote: Option may include disclosure by affected members to the Presuindent or one of the Board members. Second option is visting the website of the club and posting a querry on the subject Possible interventions are treating each case on its merit. Another option is Club members with job outlets can give the affected Rotarians preferential treatment. Finaly ensure that the affected do not feel disreminated after these are temporary sitautions. Thank you. Paul Bogere SECRETARY ROTARY CLUB OF KOLOLO_KAMPALA UGANDA D9200

At 10:09AM on 27 July 2009, Satheesh.R wrote: We were spending a lot of money on weekly bulletins,communication to members(hard copy) & keeping all the project details in hard copy.Our club has a very distinctive membership with demographics spread across 20+ to 80 years of age. It was a challenge to communicate to members across these age groups. It is heartening to know that most of our senior members have also encouraged the electronic version.Check out our site www.rotarymysore.org of rotary district 3180

At 1:04PM on 16 July 2009, Angelito Pua, RC Manila Midtown D3810 wrote: Lost of jobs, business slowing down are the main problems nowadays. Some Rotarians are cutting on budgets especially the weekly meetings food consumption and project costs. Clubs may look for alternatives like venues that can give lower food cost and minimum guaratee consumption. Annual Membership dues may be reviewed so as not to burden members with enormous expenses and as long as RI dues is taken cared of. Assist members to find jobs or supporting their business if possible.

At 1:50PM on 6 July 2009, Brian Bloomer - Australia wrote: Our Club Board has agreed that the member with job/payment issues will pay 1st 6 mths RI/District fees and the Club will hold the Club portion of the annual fees on account until the Member is again financial. Then review in 2nd 6 mths and arrange a similar plan.

At 12:18PM on 17 June 2009, Maurice Rahimi wrote: The Rancho Santa Fe Club in district 5340 has sponsored the creation of a page on the district website where Rotarians who have jobs, post them on the website and those Rotarians who are looking for a job can go on the website and contact the Rotarian wishing to fill a position. In this way we are bringing our fellow Rotarians together to help each other. We are also offering free training seminars to our fellow Rotarians on how to be more competitive in seeking a job.

At 4:02PM on 16 June 2009, Adam Whitfield wrote: We have a small club here in Texas north of the Dallas area. And being a small club in a small rural town we basically had only 8 members. Within the past year I have lost 8 members to moved away. And the majority who were laid off were able to get employment elsewhere so far, two have not. so far. Biggest issues were whenthey got new employment there schedules were no longer the same and there place of employment was now farther away. To compensate for this we tried rescheduling our meeting date. You will find this is very difficult because I had members that were happy with tueday afternoons but no other day or time. So you have to wigh things out,, how many can come and how many will you loose. No matter what it is a no win situation unless the mebers cooperate. Many did not want to waiive the dues or not pay they felt ashamed not being able to pay and most of them to be honest were embarrased to say they were laid off. So it is a delicate situation. Currently what i am trying to right now is ask the other clubs which are nearby and may have mebers close to our town to be able to meet at our club temporarily so when we do invite new members or try to recruit it does not look bad with just three of us in this big room. Not to mention with helping us out with our fundraising.

At 9:48AM on 16 June 2009, Thea Temple wrote: I've not lost my job, per se, but do run a nonprofit that works with a large number of individuals that address issues of literacy and education. I'm worried about the inability of nonprofits to be able to stay alive, and how many individuals will suffer when they fail. It seems to me that if RI would consider a joblist for Rotarians, perhaps it could also consider a donation list for areas of giving to help keep nonprofits founded or run by Rotarians alive. In this way, we will keep Rotarians employed; help their workers stay employed; continue to address charitable giving; and support our own giving areas by again putting service above self.

At 11:33AM on 8 June 2009, PP.VIRENDRA KHANNA R.C.Varanasi South (Dist.3120 ) India wrote: I think before offering the new job, we must analyse the reasons causing a members's loss of job so that keeing those reasons in mind he may be offered/ advised for the job and in this way he may not face problem again.As far as payment of club dues the Board may decide to get the membership continued either by sharing the dues by some members or he may offered honorary membership.Let not those members loose the membership because of financial crises.

At 11:38AM on 8 June 2009, Dr.Essam Eldin Abdel-Azim, Cairo, EGYPT wrote: The board must sit down with this member and help him/here through: 1-Help to get a job, restlessly. 2-Waive the club dues, temporarily. 3-Assign the member to manage one of the projects of the club, and the club pay the member for this temporarily, until this member can get a new job. Then this member may pay again what was paid to him/here in installments. This must be done as confidential as possible between the club board (not all other members) and this member.

At 11:39AM on 8 June 2009, Premal Smart, RC Baroda Metro, India wrote: Let us create a special section on the Rotary website, were Rotarian who has lost the job can put his short Resume and area of interest. This will open doors of opportunity not only in his area but across the nation and even abroad.

At 11:39AM on 8 June 2009, Don Lott wrote: May I go one step further on our topic---please consider a retirement community where most members live on S.S., pensions, and or investment income, which may not be doing so well right now. In looking for new members you find an excellent candiate who has a wealth of knowledge and experience but simply can not afford the club dues at this time. Would it not be wise to assign such a person a job as a non-voting advisory member of a specific committee for a set period of time? The loss is ours to do otherwise.

At 1:04PM on 5 June 2009, RTN. SYED AZMATULLAH RC: CHENNAI PHOENIX RD:3230 wrote: The Club Board must find out the members who have lost their jobs. The Brd may help them, if possible, with alternate jobs. The Brd may waive/defer payment of their Club dues for limited period. The Brd should atleast solace them.

At 3:02PM on 5 June 2009, RTN. SYED AZMATULLAH RC: CHENNAI PHOENIX RD: 3230 wrote: The members who lose jobs, may not be showing interest in Club activities or paying Club dues. The Board should talk to such members and understand their problems. The Board may, if possible, help them get jobs and, if not, defer their payments till they get jobs which should not be more than six months. After all, Rotary should continue its services.

At 3:36PM on 3 June 2009, Charlene Fields wrote: Since Rotary consists of members that represent their professions, some of these members might actually have a need to hire someone in their Rotary that has lost their job. Not all businesses are affected the same way; therefore, we should help our fellow Rotarians any way we can. The networking capabilities that Rotary has is unending. Refer these individuals to a fellow Rotarian that might need to hire someone. Also, have guest speakers come to Rotary meetings that are able to speak on career opportunities in the community. We are Rotarians that are here to help fellow Rotarians any way that we can.

At 3:37PM on 3 June 2009, Somchai Upara wrote: all the member can help him by discussion the problem with the club president by doing as : 1.Share the money to loan without interest. 2.Find the new job for him with the company owned by the member,or their friend. 3. help him by trying to buy his products and suggest the new customer for him. 4.Analize the new project for him to be the good project and make profit. 5.Training him to be advance in his job. 6.Visit his family and talk to his wife and children. 7.Give him and honor and be good friend.

At 3:39PM on 3 June 2009, Mir Mohummed Qazi wrote: We should not let them realize that they have losted their jobs we should promote love to all of them as they don't feel alone! RID-3270

At 9:45AM on 2 June 2009, John Ebert wrote: Personally I think budget shouldn't come in the way of an active, contributing Member. I think the Club Board of Directors can put out a general message to all Club Members, stating that if they have lost their job, to inform one of the Board Members, so that the Board can discreetly discuss options with the Club Member. Deferred payment, annonymous gifts from the Membership, other options can be considered, until the Member is reemployed. It's important to let the Member know that the Club is there for support!