In the past few years attendance at Rotary meetings has dropped, some Clubs continue to have outstanding attendance. Many argue that it’s not about turning up at meetings, but more about involvement, participation, even leadership. It is very true that clubs need committed Rotarians to lead projects, or special events, or to start up new initiatives. We know form experience that those who regularly attend Club meetings tend to be more involved in all aspects of Rotary. Click Read More for additional information.Some of the reasons people give include; being extremely busy, the club meeting coincides with a work commitment, or it is too much to keep up regular attendance and family demands, or the meetings don’t regularly have very good programs which draw members to the meetings. The acceptable excuses are the same as have always been, but in today’s world they are considered to be even more valid. Some older members dispute the issue that the world is more frenetic than ever; nevertheless this contention gets a vigorous affirmative nod by many of today’s Rotarians facing personal and professional pressures.
Many people quite legitimately miss meetings because they are on vacation, or a winter break (although makeups are usually possible for snowbirds), business travel, illness, or caring for a family member.
Many miss because it is just too much trouble to go to the meeting, and even though when they joined a commitment to attend was made, the club meetings are not as interesting or involving as hoped, and keeping up Rotary friendships slips in priority. Rotary needs leaders, and perhaps in some cases the newly joined member doesn’t realize that he or she is expected to eventually serve on committees, or lead them; help the club come up with ideas for projects or fun, and be ready to take on executive leadership positions. The old adage perhaps needs to be considered: if you know and see a problem, rather than complain and silently sabotage, why not become part of its solution?
In our District we are very fortunate to have many Rotarians who not only spend a great deal of time with their own club, and its projects, but also serve the larger Rotary community. For example, there are over 100 Rotarians who serve in the District in special assignments. A few also serve the Rotary Zone, or help out on RI committees.
Here are a few reasons to attend Rotary meetings:
- You get to know, and get known in your Rotary club. When leadership is needed, or participation in projects, the club knows you, and likely knows a bit about your situation and availability. You are also there when topics are brought up on new projects or plans, and can get your two cents worth into the discussion. You can also receive credit for attending committee meetings, working on projects, or involvements in District committees
- The club can count on you to attend, as plans are made for speakers or special programs or committees. Some smaller clubs back away from engaging speakers because they fear the attendance at their meetings will be embarrassing to them, and to the speaker.
- Attendance at meetings also seems to go hand in hand with the fulfilling the other obligations of being a Rotarian such as paying the Annual Dues, being the greeter, introducing or thanking the speaker, being the Sergeant-At-Arms, or even Chairing the meeting when the Club leaders can’t be there.