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FAQs
There are a lot
of misconceptions about what Rotary is and what it accomplishes
in the community. We'd like to be clear as possible by answering
the questions below.
Frequently
Asked Questions
• What is Rotary?
• What exactly does Rotary
do?
• How many members does Rotary
Club of Santa Rosa have?
• Isn't Rotary just a club for old
guys?
• How many Rotary Clubs are there
in the world?
• What specifically has your Club
done for the community?
• What is Rotary International?
What
Potential Members Need to Know...
• How often and where do you meet?
• How much does it cost to be a member?
• If I become a member, what
is expected of me?
• What isn't Rotary?
• What are the meetings like?
• How can I join?
New
Members
• What's the best way for me
to get involved?
• What if I have to miss a meeting?
• What's with the fining?
What is Rotary?
The main objective of Rotary is service—in the community,
in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians provide
goodwill and peace, provide humanitarian service, and encourage
high ethical standards in all vocations. The Rotary motto
is "Service Above Self."
What exactly does Rotary do?
Rotarians initiate and help raise money for community projects
that address many of our society's most pressing issues, such
as violence, drug abuse, youth, AIDS, hunger, the environment,
and illiteracy. Rotary clubs are autonomous and determine
service projects based on local needs.
How many members does the Rotary
Club of Santa Rosa have?
Close to 200 professional business men and women from throughout
Sonoma County.
Isn't Rotary just a club for old
guys?
Certainly not. This isn't your Father's Rotary. The Rotary
Club of Santa Rosa has a diverse membership of all ages. First
admitted in 1987, women are the fastest-growing segment of
Rotary's membership with 80,000 members. There are nearly
2,000 women club presidents and women are rapidly assuming
leadership roles within Rotary. Our 2008-2009 president will be Kathleen Archer, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. Rotaract and Interact are Rotary programs for
18 to 30 year-olds and high school students, giving younger
people the chance to work on Rotary programs.
How many Rotary Clubs are there in
the world?
There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belonging to
more than 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries worldwide.
What specifically has your Club done
for the community?
Check out the projects page on
our site. They are too numerous to mention here.
What
is Rotary International?
Rotary International is the umbrella organization for all
Rotary Clubs. It has collaborated with many civic and humanitarian
organizations as well as the government agencies of various
nations in its efforts to improve the human condition. An
example of what these partnerships can accomplish can be found
in Rotary's ambitious PolioPlus program. Launched in 1985
with the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease
Control, and UNICEF, the RI program's goal is to immunize
every child in the world against polio. By that time,
RI has committed over a half-billion US dollars to the effort.
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What Potential Members Need to Know...
How
often and where do you meet?
We meet every Wednesday, 12 noon to 1:30 pm at the Flamingo
Hotel, 4th and Farmers Lane in Santa Rosa.
How
much does it cost to be a member?
Approximately
$1,200 per year. This includes cost for lunches, dues, support
of Rotary projects, and fines.
If
I become a member, what is expected of me?
Weekly attendance
at meetings is essential to learning more about and becoming
involved in Rotary. If you need to miss a meeting, there are
opportunities to make-up at other clubs. We recommend that
you join at least two committees in order to participate fully
in Rotary.
What
isn't rotary?
Rotary is not
a leads club.
What
are the meetings like?
The meetings
serve as forums where Rotarians can meet with local leaders,
share community concerns, and keep informed on events of regional
and national significance. Members get to know other Rotarians
over lunch and enjoy camaraderie. The meetings are fun, as
well as educational.
How
can I join?
If you're interested
in becoming a member, please click on Contact
Us and fill in your contact information. Someone from
our Membership Committee will contact you soon to explain
what's involved.
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New
Members
What's
the best way for me to get involved?
The best way
to get involved is to come to the meetings, attend Rotary
functions, and join a committee or two. These are good ways
to get to know other Rotarians and to learn more about Rotary.
What
if I have to miss a meeting?
We encourage
you to try to make up at another Club meeting. You have two
weeks to do so. For a list of other Clubs and where they meet
in the area, go to Club
Meeting Locations.
What's
with the fining?
Built into part
of your membership dues are fines. Fining is a humorous way
for the Club President to 'recognize' other Rotarians for
significant events in their lives or exposure they may have
received.
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