I joined Rotary over a decade ago, but it took my husband reading my copy of Cliff Dochterman’s “The ABCs of Rotary,” for me to become a Rotarian.  While we always discussed many topics, one we did not cover was Rotary.  My husband knew that Rotary was a philanthropic organization, that we did good deeds, but he did not know the depth and breadth and neither did I. 

As my husband read through each section of Dochterman’s book he would exclaim that now he understood why Rotary had certain customs, traditions, and insignias.  His inquisitiveness and enthusiasm for his new found knowledge of information was catching. I became interested in discovering more information on Rotary International history and programs.  This interest led to my participation in club leadership, club presidency, and assistant governor service.  My contribution in various Rotary projects has given me a new light in my life, a light that needs to be shared with others. 

Share Rotary with members, family, friends, and the community.  A Rotary member accepts the “obligation to share Rotary with others and to help extend Rotary by proposing qualified persons for Rotary club membership.”

 Celebrate Rotary Awareness Month by exposing members to Rotary history.  In my research I discovered that the “Four-Way Test,” was created by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932.  Taylor took charge of a Chicago-based aluminum company that was facing bankruptcy.  Struggling to save the company, Taylor composed a 24-word code of ethics for all employees to follow in their business and professional lives.  The code was credited with saving the company. The Four-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943.

 Celebrate Rotary Awareness Month by exposing members to Rotary International Programs.  The Rotary Foundation was proposed by RI President Arch C. Klumph in 1917, as an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.”  In 1928, the endowment fund had grown to more than $5000.  After Rotary’s founder, Paul P. Harris, died in 1947, contributions poured into Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial fund was created to build the Foundation.  That year, the first Foundation program, the forerunner of Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships was established.  Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, later called Matching Grants, were established in 1966.  The Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants program was launched in 1978.  The 1984-85 year brought PolioPlus, followed by Rotary grants for University Teachers and the Foundation’s peace and conflict studies programs.

 Celebrate, Promote and Share Rotary

 At local club meetings ask members to share personal stories or experiences that they have had because of Rotary.  As part of the weekly club program insert some Rotary history, program information and The Rotary Foundation.

• Utilize local cable and / or public-access television to publicize club community projects and fundraisers.
• Use billboards, posters, and signs to communicate membership events, fundraisers, and activities.
• Employ newspaper supplements to advertise Rotary’s mission, vision and involvement in community and global projects.
• Develop club brochures that expose members to your club’s history and annual projects.
• Avail your club members of the bevy of Rotary International and District 5230 presentations by attending conferences, club leadership training, and district assemblies.
• Visit Rotary International, Rotary District 5230 and club web sites to gain insight and promote club activities.
• Make use of Facebook and other network communication sites.
• Exercise your creative writing and communication skills through Rotary club blogs. 

These are just a few ways to share Rotary and its “good deeds” with others. 

I joined Rotary years ago, but it took my husband’s discovery of Rotary for me to share Rotary with him and others. Don’t let it take years before you share and discover the true Rotary and Rotarian in you!