Introduction &
Orientation
Rotary Club of Greater Clark County
Updated October 2011
Rotary Club of Greater Clark
County
You have been invited to learn about Rotary, the world's premier service
organization comprised of nearly 1.2 million members in about 34,000 clubs spread
throughout 200 countries of the world.
Specifically, you have been invited to find out about the Rotary Club of Greater
Clark County, one of seven, and clearly the finest in Southwest Washington . . .or at
least we think so.
This orientation meeting has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to
learn about Rotary in general and our club specifically. We believe it is important
for your success, that you understand the expectations, the commitment and the
rewards that you would make and receive as a member of Rotary.
What Is Rotary ?
Rotary is . . ."An organization of business and
professional people united worldwide, who
provide humanitarian service, encourage high
ethical standards in all vocations, and help build
goodwill and peace in the world."
"Specifically, a Rotary Club is composed of
business and professional people who have
accepted the ideal of service as a basis for attaining
fulfillment in the personal, vocational, and
community life."
The Object of Rotary
"To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of
worthy enterprise"
This "ideal of service" can be fostered through the:

development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

promotion of high ethical standards in business and professions;

advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace;

through service in one's personal, business and community life;
The Founder of Rotary

Rotary was founded in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois by attorney Paul P. Harris and
three friends.

Harris' thought this new club should represent a cross-section of the business
and professional life of the community. From this idea developed Rotary's
Classification Principle.

The club’s first project was in 1907 - the installation of a public comfort
station near city hall in downtown Chicago.
Growth of Rotary

The second Rotary club was formed in 1908 in San Francisco , then a short
leap across the bay to Oakland where the third club was formed. Others
followed in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City.

The first convention was held in 1910 in Chicago where the clubs organized
themselves to form the National Association of Rotary Clubs

Rotary became international in 1910 when a club was formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada, followed in 1911 with a new club in Dublin, Ireland.

By 1921 the organization was represented on every continent, and the name Rotary
International was adopted in 1922, which remains today
Paul Harris
Apr 19, 1868 - to Jan 27, 1947
The Rotary Motto

At that first convention in 1910, a motto was chosen for the new
organization, recognizing its commitment to the idea of service: "He
Profits Most Who Serves His Fellows Best."

In 1950, Rotary International adopted two mottoes
"He Profits Most Who Serves Best" and "Service Above Self,"

In 1989, the Rotary International Council on Legislation established
the organization's principal motto . . . .
"Service Above Self"
4-Way Test
The Four Way Test Says that of the things we think, say or do:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Rotary Emblem
1923 to Present
Rotary at a Glance – October 2011
Rotarians:
Countries:
Districts
Clubs:
Regions:
Rotaract Clubs:
Members:
Countries:
Interact Clubs:
Members:
Countries:
1.2 million
200
531
33,976
35
8,232
189,336
156
12,684
291,732
116
(Young adults 18 - 30)
(High School)
RI President
2011-2012
Kalyan Banerjee
Logo 2011-2012
Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International was created in 1917 for the purpose
of "doing good in the world." It supports Rotary's efforts to further world
understanding and peace.
Rotary's international network helps link people in need with Rotarians in other
countries who can provide resources. The Foundation's humanitarian programs
improve health care systems, support sustainable sources of food and water, and
provide literacy and vocational training — particularly in developing countries.
The Rotary Foundation's educational programs include Ambassadorial
Scholarships, the world's largest privately funded source of international
scholarships. More than 1,300 scholarships are awarded annually for study in
another land.
Governed by 13 Trustees – the foundation has assets of approximately $621
million. Funding is supported solely by volunteer contributions from Rotarians &
friends & now provides for more than $90 million annually
Foundation At Work - Polio Plus
In 1985, Rotary International launched PolioPlus — a commitment to
eradicate polio in World. Through the efforts of Rotary and its partners in the
fight against polio,
Impact - Polio cases world wide have fallen by 99% since PolioPlus was
started in 1985
Impact - two billion children have been immunized, five million have been
spared disability, and over 250,000 deaths from polio have been prevented.
Polio Surveillance – since 2004, new surveillance standards and laboratory
processes have ensured that every country can detect every circulating
poliovirus more rapidly that ever.
Outbreak Control – Every re-infected country has already stopped its
outbreak or is on the verge of doing so; since 2006, new international
response guidelines stop outbreaks faster than ever.
Finish Eradication – the poorest, most war-torn and most crowded
countries on earth have stopped polio; new generation ‘monovalent’ polio
vaccines provide even more potent tools for the last 4 endemic countries;
India: monthly polio campaigns will target the very young children
who sustain polio;
Nigeria: new Immunization Plus Days will target the very high risk
states where polio continues to circulate;
Afghanistan & Pakistan: synchronized campaigns will target the
populations moving across borders and living in insecure areas where
poliovirus survives
Finish Eradication

The biggest obstacles to eradicating polio are the underfunding of the global initiative
and insufficient political commitment from the remaining polio affected countries.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave Rotary a $100 million Challenge, a threeyear fundraising commitment. Rotarians surpassed the goals set for this initial $100
million Challenge, and an additional $200 million Challenge was issued to Rotary.
Rotary District 5100
Southwest Washington , Oregon South to Salem, East to
the Idaho border & West to the Coast
ROTARY DISTRICT 5100
District Governor 2011-2012
Michael J. Caruso
Clubs in District 5010
District Clubs
Members
(October 2011)
73
4,064
Clark County Clubs
Greater Clark County
85
Thu
Royal Oaks
12:00 P.M.
Vancouver Downtown
180
Weds
Red Lion Hotel
12:00 P.M.
Vancouver Sunrise
50
Fri
The Heathman
7:00 A.M.
Camas/Washougal
70
Thu
Fairgate Inn
7:00 A.M.
Lewis River
45
Tues
The Cedars GC
7:00 A.M.
Vancouver Metro Sunset 30
Tues
Royal Oaks
5:00 P.M.
Battle Ground Sunset
Tues
55
Gaeleotti’s
5:00 P.M.
Rotary Club of Greater Clark
County
The Rotary Club of Greater Clark County was chartered on
December 28th, 1974 and was sponsored by the Vancouver
Rotary Club.
The Club will celebrate its 37th Anniversary in 2011.
Rotary Club of Greater Clark County
Andy Huck
President 2011-12
Lynn Rullman
Past President 2010-11
Danette LaChapelle
President Elect 2012-13
Structure of Rotary Club of Greater
Clark County
 Greater Clark County is one of 73 Clubs in “District 5100” and under the
direction of the District Governor.
 All Rotary Clubs are structured like a business (Not democratic)
• President
• Vice President
• President Elect
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Past President
• Club Service
• Vocational Service
• Community Service
• Membership Service
• International Service
How Do We Fund Operations
The Club funds its operations from two primary sources
• Membership Dues
• Club Fines
The Funds for Club Projects are raised through the Greater Clark
County Rotary Foundation.
• Fund Raising Projects
• Donations
The Rotary Rose Sale, which takes place in February or March of each
year is the club’s primary fund raiser, generating in excess of $25,000.
Other projects, such as “Rotary Ring In” and Clark County Fair
Wheelchair & Stroller Booth, generate additional funds annually.
Club Service
Club Service involves all of the activities necessary for Rotarians to make
their club function successfully. The positions associated with Club Service:
• Sergeant-at-Arms
• Program Chairman
The director of Club Service & related committee chairs develop programs
and annual events that bring the membership together for fellowship:
• Installation Banquet
• Charter Night Dinner
• Rotary Picnic - family fellowship – Summer
• Christmas Party
• Club Bulletin
• Club Website and Directory
• Fellowship
Membership
Membership involves all of the activities necessary to find,
recruit, welcome and integrate new members into our club.
Some of the activities in Membership Service are:
• Orientations
• Firesides for New members in Rotarians homes to learn about
Rotary
• Membership Development/Classification
Community Service
Community Service is the “heartbeat of Rotary” encompassing all the activities that Rotarians undertake to
improve the quality of life for people within a club’s area.
Clark County service projects target the following:
•
Walk & Knock
•
Hammer & Nail Projects
•
Wheelchair & Stroller Booth
 Bike Helmets for Kids
 Homeless Barbeque
 Salvation Army Bell Ringing
 Senior Living Community Support
 Boys & Girls Club
Vocational Service
Greater Clark County has elected to focus its vocational service efforts at youth
and education through the following programs:

Scholarships - Providing scholarships to high school seniors for college or other
secondary educational endeavors;

WAVE (Washington Award for Vocational Excellence - Awards to students
in various high school and AP local vocational educational programs recognizing
excellence in their performance.

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Activity)

Student of the Month

Junior Achievement

Lunch Buddies

Hazel Dell Boys & Girls Club
International Service
Rotary promotes international understanding by bringing together people of
different countries to share their cultures and traditions.

Rotary Youth Exchange (Outbound) - RCGCC sponsors one outbound
student selected from high school applicants.

Rotary Youth Exchange (Inbound) - Several RCGCC families serve as hosts
to the inbound student during their 9 month stay.

Group Study Exchange – Each Rotary District can bring together several
young business people (non-Rotarians) and one Rotarian leader to exchange
with another country, touring their respective vocations and learning about the
other country.

International Projects

Rotaract (Young men/women ages 18-30)

Interact (High School students)
Greater Clark County Rotary
Foundation
Doing great things for the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County
Not
The Rotary International
Foundation
The mission of the Greater Clark County Rotary Foundation is to support the
efforts of the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County in the fulfillment of the object of Rotary,
Rotary’s mission, and the achievement of world understanding
and peace through local, national, and international
humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs.
Greater Clark County
Rotary
Foundation





Formed 1996
Separate 9 member Board
501(c)(3)
Donations may be tax deductible
Raise Funds to support the projects of the
Rotary Club of Greater Clark County
GCCR Foundation

Raise Money for Grant Requests from RCGCC



Community Service
International Service
Vocational Service
How Can I follow Rotary
http://www.rotary.org
http://www.ridistrict5100.org
So . .
what’s expected of a Rotarian ?
Membership Classification
You have been invited to join Rotary because of your position in
your business or agency. When you join, you join as a member in
your particular “classification”
The secret of Rotary’s success is a membership which represents a
good cross section of a community’s business leaders, whose
experience, expertise, and resources can be harnessed for the good
of the community.
Members are to be adult persons of good character and good
business and professional reputation who are engaged as proprietor,
partner, corporate officer, or manager of any worthy and
recognized business or profession; or holding an important
position in any worthy and recognized business or profession or
any branch or agency thereof, and having executive capacity with
discretionary authority.
Members should have the flexibility to make the necessary time
commitment. While we all have appointments and
commitments, members should have enough authority to ensure
that Rotary is a part of their business life.
Our club can have 7 people in the same classification, or not
more than 10% of their membership – so 7 of the same
classification in Greater Clark County.
If you choose to leave your current job, you must return your
classification to the club. Membership may continue for up to a
year upon approval by the board.
Becoming A New Member
The process for becoming a member is relatively simple. By attending this
orientation today, you have indicated an interest in becoming a Rotarian. If you
would like to continue this process, the next step will be to attend at least 3 club
meetings to get a feel for our club.
• After you have attended three club meetings, you would then work with the
Rotarian who invited you complete and submit an application for membership.
Your application would then be reviewed by the Board of Directors, and then
submitted to the membership before any action is taken.
• Once your application has successfully completed these two steps, we will invite
you to join our club and induct you into our club at a future meeting.
Attendance

Rotary views attendance as essential to creating and maintaining an effective
cohesive membership. A weekly commitment to Rotary is viewed as an
integral part of one’s business and personal life style.

Four missed meetings in a row - potentially subject you to being dropped

Missing 40% of scheduled meetings each six (6) months - same as above

Make-up meetings at other clubs are an important way to keep attendance on
track as well as an opportunity to meet other Rotarians. Board meetings,
Firesides, New member orientations and specified events count as make-ups
for missed meetings.

Make-up meetings must occur within 2 weeks before or after the missed
meeting.

Location of club meetings anywhere in the world is available from the club’s
secretary, or via the Rotary International Web Site at http://www.rotary.org/
Meeting Rules

No talking business after the bell rings to start the meeting. You are now a
Rotarian and discussing business will get the attention of the Sgt at Arms

Be prompt . . .and no leaving early. If you must leave early, be discreet.

Wear your Rotary pin and your Classification Badge at all times during a
meeting. Again . . .the Sergeant at Arms will get you !

Sergeant at Arms takes on a variety of personalities at different clubs, but
with the same theme of raising money by “friendly fining” members for
recognition of an accomplishment, getting their name in the paper, or almost
anything that will give rise to fellowship and humor.

Plan on spending $5.00 each week for fining. You won’t always have to pay,
but be prepared to do so.

Pride Dollars give each member an opportunity to share a happy event by
paying anything from $1.00 to $50.00.
Red Badge Pass Task List
When you join our Rotary club, you will initially have a Red Badge. New members have
a series of tasks to complete to get introduced to various aspects of Rotary during
their first six months of membership. Once these tasks are completed, you will
receive your permanent “Blue” Badge. You will find that completing these tasks
help you get to know many of the club’s members and help you get a better idea of
where you would like to serve in the club.
• Serve four times as a “Greeter” and welcome Rotarians to our weekly meetings
• Attend a regular Greater Clark County Rotary Board Meeting.
• Attend one of each of our club’s committee meetings.
• Attend a Fireside.
• Attend a meeting at one other Rotary club in Clark County. Your sponsor or
other club members can help you with this. This will “break the ice” and make it
easier for you to make up missed meetings at the other five clubs.
• Work on a club project.
Other Rotary Protocols
• Rotary is non-political. If, for example, you ran for City Council, passing out
campaign literature at a meeting would be unacceptable, unless it was in
conjunction with a “hear the candidates” luncheon and the Rotarian is one of
several candidates.
• The Rotary mailing list is a great reference for your own personal needs
either personal or business – on a one on one basis. It is not to be used as a
solicitation list for your business or organization.
The Financial Commitment

Annual Dues are $250/year.

For new members, your first year dues include a $125 new member fee and a full year
dues of $250 for members joining in July through December and $112.50 for members
joining in January through June. New members receive a subscription to Rotary
Magazine, 4-way test certificate, Object of Rotary certificate and many other
memorable items to welcome you into Rotary.

Lunch is $16 per week. Each member who does not eat lunch, must still pay $5.00
each week to cover facility charges.

Plan on spending approximately $2.00 - $5.00 each week in “fines”.

Every member is expected to sell 25 dozen Roses during our annual Rose Sale. Those
members not wishing to sell Roses may opt out by paying $400.

Several events during the year will require spending between $25 - 35 per person for
banquet dinners.

The board is sensitive to money and it is NEVER the intention to impose upon a
member who chooses not to spend money beyond what would be considered the
normal commitment at a member of Rotary.
Paul Harris Circles

Four Rotarians make a commitment to contribute $200 per year for 4 years

The Rotary Club of Greater Clark County contributes $200 yearly on behalf of
the circle

A total of $1000 is donated to the Rotary International Foundation yearly

For this donation, a Paul Harris Fellow is awarded to the Paul Harris Circle
each year
So . . .What’s Next?
If the comments made here today haven’t deterred you from serving as a Rotarian,
the following actions will bring you into the world of Rotary.

If you haven’t already, please attend three club meetings.

Complete the “Application for Membership” and give it to your sponsor.

Once your application has completed the approval process, you will be inducted into
the club at the next scheduled meeting or as soon as possible if circumstances
dictate.

You will be given a “Red Badge” until you have completed all the requirements of
the “Badge Pass Program”, at which point you will receive your blue club badge.

You will be contacted by a member of the “Membership Development Committee”
to assist you in fulfilling the badge pass requirements (which will be in your new
member packet you’ll receive during your induction.)

In the next few weeks you will give your “Classification talk”. This should be 4-5
minutes in length and focus on “you”, your history, family, education, vocation,
how did you get to Vancouver, etc. (The membership listens better with chocolate)

You will be assigned to a committee under one of the Avenues of Service, unless
you express an interest in a particular area of service.
Final Words of Wisdom
Get involved - but follow through on whatever you agree to
do.
Meet other members - don’t sit in the same spot, or with the
same people week after week.
Introduce yourself often - the old members are bashful and
reclusive.
Attend the special events - they will help you grow in your
Rotary life.
Read the “Four Way Test”
Live by it. . . . .It really does work.
Welcome To Rotary !