Service in Action

By Rotary Service and Engagement staff

While we join Rotary for many varied reasons, we remain part of the family because of the value it adds to our lives. However we choose to serve, we do so because we know our service makes a difference in the lives of others and we remain engaged largely due to the satisfaction of knowing that week by week, year by year, we are part of Rotary: Making a Difference.

RI President Ian H.S. Riseley recognizes the importance of defining service for ourselves and our communities. We have the flexibility to decide how we want our clubs to meet, work, grow, and how we want to serve. During the 2017-18 year, President Riseley encourages us exemplify the theme Rotary: Making a Difference. Below are just a few ideas of activities you can undertake to honor this year’s theme:

• Join a discussion group to exchange ideas with fellow members.
• Create lasting change by supporting club and district initiatives on Rotary Ideas.
• Inspire others by sharing your service projects on Rotary Showcase.
• Leverage subject-matter expertise by collaborating with a Rotarian Action Group on a service project or join a group to share your expertise.
• Sponsor a Rotary Community Corps to enhance community engagement and ensure project sustainability.
• Foster international understanding and meet prospective partners at a Project Fair.
• Discover new cultures by participating in a Rotary Friendship Exchange. President Riseley is encouraging members to organize exchanges around one or more of the following themes: cultural, service, and vocational with an emphasis on including more young professionals. Contact your district’s Rotary Friendship Exchange chair to begin planning an exchange.
• Share your passions with Rotarians around the world by joining a Rotary Fellowship.
• Work with your district International service chair to share your expertise through your district resource network. If you have technical expertise in one of Rotary’s six areas of focus, or with project planning and implementation, community assessment, measurement and evaluation, or other important aspects of large scale projects grants, let your district International service chair know.
• Collaborate with Rotary’s service partners on a project.
• Attend one of six peacebuilding conferences being held around the world to explore the connection between peace and Rotary’s five other areas of focus plus environmental sustainability.

The 2017-18 Presidential Citation will recognize clubs’ array of accomplishments that make a positive difference in their communities related to Rotary’s three strategic priorities: supporting and strengthening clubs, focusing and increasing humanitarian service, and enhancing Rotary’s public image and awareness. Follow this blog for inspirational ideas on achieving the humanitarian service goals to qualify for the citation.

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Related:

• Read more about President Riseley’s 2017-18 theme Rotary: Making a Difference.