District Governors message – October
October is Vocational Service Month - consider your vocation as another opportunity to serve...
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"Vocational Service"? I remember when I was Club President; I had no idea what it was!

 

Rotary explains this avenue of service this way: "Through the Avenue of Vocational Service, Rotarians contribute their professional expertise and skills to address social problems and needs, promote high ethical standards in the workplace, support career planning and other vocational activities, and represent the dignity and value of their profession."

 

Through vocational service, Rotarians are expected to adhere to and promote high ethical standards in all their business dealings, recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations, and contribute their professional expertise and skills to make a difference in our world.

 

In 1905, our founder, Paul Harris, was lonely for friends in the big city of Chicago where during that time there was a lot of corruption in business. His desire to meet others who had the same ethical values as he did prompted him to seek out others who thought the same way.

 

Rotary was a place where business was discussed, where ideas were shared and where Rotarians helped one another to have profitable and successful ventures. Vocational Service was really one of the most important aspects of Rotary service.

 

So, if vocational service is part of the foundation of Rotary, why did I not even know what it was? Maybe, it was because over the years things have changed and we no longer discuss our businesses and professions in our clubs. 

 

But think about this: consider all the vocations that are represented in your club. Now think about all the vocations that are represented in District 5040. Now add all the various vocations represented in the entire world of Rotary. Think of all the good we could do if we each used our vocation as an opportunity for service.

 

As Rotarians we all know The Four-Way Test and hopefully we all try to live up to what it says. I wonder how many of us know the ‘Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions”?  Both provide a road map for practicing ethical behavior in the workplace and other areas of life.

 

So, looking back to when I was a Club President I realize there were many ways I could have helped my club to give some focus and energy to Vocational Service.

 

I would ask one of my fellow Rotarians to be my Vocational Service Chair. I would ask that person to develop and oversee a Vocational Service Program.

 

That program might include

 

·         An award for local businesses and merchants who demonstrate high ethical standards and community support through their business activities.

 

·         It could include a project that would spotlight the Four Way Test, and make it relevant to current events in the community and my club.

 

·         Perhaps we could also assist the local schools with “career day” activities, mentor students or young professionals, and give vocational scholarships to graduating seniors.

 

·         Hold one meeting each quarter at the place of business of one of my fellow Rotarians and celebrate the service that person provides for their clients or customers.

 

·         Ask for Rotarians in your club to give programs about their careers and accomplishments in their professional lives. I would encourage them to talk about their business and profession. Some of our best programs are sitting right across the table from us at our meetings!

 

·         Showcase the ability of members to network with each other in their jobs to enhance our service to the community. Networking is a key element of Vocational Service, and may be a piece of the puzzle to attracting new members to our clubs.

 

So, I highly recommend that you give some added emphasis to how your club can improve its projects and programs in the avenue of Vocational Service. You will probably find that your club already has individual projects or activities that are part of Vocational Service without you realizing it.

 

Possibly with a little work you can undertake other activities and projects that add balance to your club’s service to the community, and to the world. In this process your club will become more attractive to new members while at the same time revitalizing one of the fundamental elements of Rotary: Vocational Service!

 

To learn more about Vocational Service click here


Rebecca