Are You A Member of Rotary or a Rotarian?

Posted by Sandy Naragon

on Apr 26, 2015

That question was posed to us at the Rotary District 6630 Conference of Clubs. Proudly, I answered a Rotarian! Attending the conference is one of my duties as an incoming Club President-elect. My love of learning and professional development moved me to be there. Motivating messages delivered strengthened my enthusiasm to serve!

Learning highlights for me included:

Rotary Clubs around the world lose as many members as they gain each year. Creating a Club value proposition will ensure that we deliver what we are promising to prospects. Attracting new members is an important part of having a successful club—engaging them as Rotarians is vital.

Young professionals are looking for service elements to add to their lives. Don’t assume everyone knows about our service projects. A summary of Akron’s projects may be found by clicking here . To learn more, email Rotarian Kaley Foster at kaleynfoster@gmail.com.

Fun is defined differently by everyone—be creative and offer something for everyone!

Keynote Luncheon Speaker Michael Angelo Caruso recommended that speakers be used to attract visitors to our club meetings. Visitors often equal new members. Seeking speakers and topics that catch attention is a good strategy—kudos to Program Chair Charles Billington for recognizing this approach!

Caruso also gave tips for public speaking including exercises for finding your “big” voice and conveying warmth and happiness through body language. Akron’s own Alana Daveduk demonstrated his techniques!

Via video, 2015-16 Rotary International President K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran shared his theme, “Be a Gift to the World.” He asked, “Will the good we have done remain after we’re gone?” He challenged us all to use our talents, expertise and leadership to be a gift to the world.

There were sessions dedicated to Rotary’s commitment to youth leadership development. Susan Colville-Hall served as a facilitator and attended the sessions. The areas of youth services include Interact, Rotaract, Youth Exchange, Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), and the 4-way Test Speech Contest. The district website has great information on all these avenues of service at www.rotarydistrict6630.org.

Saturday’s luncheon continued a spotlight on Rotary’s commitment to education, showcasing the Parade of Inbound Students and the Four-Way Test winner & runner up. The speeches were amazing!

The keynote speaker at the Governor’s Dinner shared his personal story of immunizing children. We listened intently as he told of terrified parents reluctantly handing over their children to receive drops of oral polio vaccine. It was a touching reminder of how Rotarians are changing the world.

I hope I’ve inspire you to mark your calendar for next year’s conference scheduled for April 22-24, 2016 in Mayfield. 2015-16 District Governor Cheryl Warren will host the conference along with District Governor Elect Dick Farkas. It’ll be an exciting year for Akron!

Akron Rotarians in attendance at the conference were Alana Daveduk, Stew Buchanan, Lance Chima, Shon Christy, Cheryl Warren, Dick Farkas, Jack & Vivian Harig, Julie Brandle, and Susan Colville-Hall and Leslie Tierney. Special thanks to Amanda Warner from Rotary Camp for setting up the Akron Rotary Camp display.

Are you a member of Rotary or a Rotarian? Jim Boyd, the Membership Chair from the Rotary Club of Burdwan Greater in West Bengel, India explains the difference:

“Rotarians believe in sharing Rotary with others. Rotary means maintaining high ethical standards in one’s business, one’s profession, and in one’s personal life. Being a Rotarian means having the opportunity to experience the warm fellowship of a Rotary Club which can greatly expand one’s circle of acquaintance, foster lifelong friendships, and help one do for his or her community what he or she might never accomplish alone. Being a Rotarian means to be actively involved in the affairs and service projects of one’s club.”