Membership Corner - October 26, 2015

 
 
 
 
Membership Corner: The Object Of Rotary's Fourth Goal
 
By Tom Sturiale
 
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. The fourth goal defining the Object of Rotary is stated, “The Advancement of International Understanding, Goodwill and Peace Through a World Fellowship of Business and Professional Persons United in the Ideal of Service.”
 
Think about this one for a few minutes! Wow! The worldwide accomplishments of Rotary are quite astounding, yet these are areas that most local Rotarians may not know as much about as we should.
 
However, we are strong supporters of The Rotary Foundation (TRF), which is the primary mechanism through which hundreds of international projects are funded.  The worldwide impact of Rotary is huge. Of the 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, 75 percent are outside the USA. Quite naturally, we tend to be more interested on our local community issues but the fourth goal of Rotary demands our attention be also focused on international good deeds.
 
Think about the progress made by Rotarians in these areas: the eradication of polio; peace scholars; exchange students; Gift of Life; GEMINI; disaster aid; water and sanitation; disease prevention; and countless other projects.   Our district supports the funding of more than $1 million a year in international projects through our support of TRF.
 
Last year, District 7910 averaged $133 per Rotarian to the Annual Fund – SHARE - and we are in the top 25 percent worldwide. The top three clubs in our district were Wachusett Area, Montachusett Area and Fitchburg, averaging $406, $403 and $371, respectively, per member, placing them in the top 1 percent, 2 percent and 3 percent worldwide!  Congratulations.  What an example for all us.
 
Everyone who contributes to TRF is a part of this worldwide effort and should be proud. Of course, the effort should be to have every Rotarian participating, which we refer to as EREY – “Every Rotarian Every Year.”  This is not a heavy burden and should be considered as an absolute minimum member requirement.
 
The easiest way to contribute to TRF is through a credit card.  If you contribute the equivalent of a latte and cookie each month at $15, you would be exceeding the average Rotarian. Then, you could proudly proclaim that you are a part of the effort to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace and supporting the fourth goal of the Object of Rotary.
 
Is your club educating members about these programs? Does your club participate in international projects? Do all your members support TRF?  Does your club communicate your international projects to the local community? The more your community knows about the full scope and good work of Rotary, the more able you will be to attract like-minded people to Rotary. 
 
Please let me know any ideas, comments and stories about Membership you would like to share. E-mail me at tsturiale36@gmail.com.
 
Tom Sturiale is vice chair of District 7910's Membership Committee.