Your Voice, Your Solution for describing Rotary

At 9:17AM on 6 June 2011, Micael Olsson wrote: Fellow Rotarians, many good points! However, I'd like to point out that Rotary is not the largest service club in the world if judging by number of members. Lions has more members than we do, let time I checked Thayer had 100k more. Just so you're not lying when telling ppl about Rotary. :)

At 8:44AM on 16 March 2011, Billy Young wrote: Service through fellowship has always been good. In a different classification, Rotarian has the opportunity to serve in their own capacity, of which prior to being one, they are leaders of their own capacity.

At 4:16PM on 15 March 2011, Terry Bass wrote: I avoid the word fellowship with non-Rotarians. One its an old fashion word. Two because its something that needs to be seen and not heard.

At 8:37AM on 9 March 2011, Dean Woodward wrote: Rotary is the oldest and largest club on earth - 1.2 million strong, serving in 200 countries. What we do is take the most noble aspirations of our members and make them real.

At 9:50AM on 7 March 2011, Ray Mann wrote: The official definition of Rotary (1976) fails to mention the important avenue of 'community service'. How about this modification 'Rotary is a worldwide group of concerned business people who provide local community service, sponsor international humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards and help build goodwill and world peace.'

At 9:48AM on 7 March 2011, Emily Francona wrote: Misunderstanding the real meaning of Rotary fellowship, like so many other club issues, can be attributed in part to club leaders failure to orient new members and continue educating all members. Creating an inviting and inclusive Family of Rotary environment in the club is a primary responsibility for club leaders. This also needs to be accompanied by a certain amount of self-initiative by club members to inform and educate themselves as well. A dedication to service above self will flow naturally and assure a club's success. Rotary knowledge remains a key to club success and members' satisfaction.

At 9:47AM on 7 March 2011, Martie Fischer wrote: As a Rotarian and a United Methodist pastor I have struggled with the difference between the Church and Rotary. Both do extraordinary work for the changing of the world to a more just and peaceful place. Both come together weekly for fellowship and support. Both believe that service to others is a valued goal. Both get lost in jargon and organizational acronyms. And I love both. I have decided that for the world and those being served there is little if any difference. For those of us on the inside of each organization the difference is in motivation. Service for Rotarians is the end itself, for Christians service is a means to an end--taking Christ to the world. As an active member of both organizations I sometimes forget which I am speaking for, but my commitment to changing the world, beginning where I am will never change. And both organizations have made me a better person. And that is what it is all about for me.

At 9:39AM on 7 March 2011, Sayeed A. Chaudhury wrote: "Fellowship" in Rotary means, among others, not just attending parties for fun but having a deeper ultimate objective of finding something to do good for the not-so-fortunate.

At 3:31PM on 4 March 2011, Jan ten Sythoff wrote: Rotarians are helping people, communities and nations with inspiring and creative charity projects

At 4:02PM on 4 March 2011, Hyla Lipson wrote: During the RI Convention in Los Angeles, I got to know a couple who also loved sitting on the aisle as close to the front as possible. For those who haven't attended an RI Convention - seating has protocol and those high up in the RI ladder sit closest to the stage - with delegate sitting about 2 oceans back. However we had found a wide aisle and an end that was our favorite. Somehow we always managed to get there - and whomever got there first saved seats for the others. On the last day a woman conductor led the Pasadena orchestra in the song from West Side Story "There's A Place For Us." At the same time an African woman with an amazing voice began singing the song. We couldn't see her - but her voice rang through the auditorium. Suddenly the conductor turned and began walking to the back of the auditorium and we turned and realized the singer was walking down the center aisle toward the conductor. When they reached each other they hugged. At that moment, my seat friends and I also hugged. To me - that was the single most stunning moment of Rotary Fellowship I have every encountered. There is a place for all of us - even if we are strangers. As Rotarians - we are never strangers.

At 8:33AM on 4 March 2011, Greg Wilkinson wrote: In Rotary we are all different but working together we make a difference.