The
Rotary Club of Walsall, West Midlands, UK
Aide Memoir -
Notes For a New Rotary Member about our
Rotary Club
Rotary was formed by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905; extended to Great Britain & Ireland in 1911. Walsall Rotary Club was formed in 1921 and chartered in 1922. There are now 1.25 million members in 30,000 clubs in 196 countries across the world (including former Eastern Bloc Countries in Europe) and any Rotarian is entitled to visit any Rotary Club anywhere in the world. Walsall Rotary Club currently has 70 members (men and womem) and several honorary members. There are two other newer Clubs carrying the name of the town and six more within the Walsall Metropolitan area. Walsall Rotary Club history in detail.
All Rotary Clubs form part of a local Rotary District, and Walsall is part of Rotary District 1210 that principally covers Staffordshire, Shropshire and part of West Midlands. District holds periodic District Council Meetings, an annual District Assembly, and an annual Conference, usually at a seaside resort. All members can attend District meetings and the Conference.
Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI)
Our Club is also a constituent of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland; which has a Secretariat at Offices based in Alcester, Warwickshire. RIBI operates under its own Rules and Constitution, though under the overriding umbrella of Rotary International (RI) based in Evanston, Chicago USA.
Our club meets weekly at Lunchtime (1.00
pm) on Friday at the County Hotel, Birmingham Road, Walsall, apart from Christmas
week and Good Friday. A member is expected to achieve an attendance at 50% of
the appointed meetings, which can be made up by attendances at other Clubs anywhere
in the world and a limited number of Walsall Rotary Club events. There are many
other activities that count towards a Rotarians attendance and we encourage
participation in order that a Rotarian gets maximum value from their membership.
There is an annual Subscription and members
are asked to consider reimbursing the Club for a per capita Levy made by District
for Charitable purposes. These matters will be explained more fully by the Hon
Treasurer. Visit our up to date costs of Membership
page.
Walsall Rotary Club Administration
Club Officers - The Club President, Senior Vice-President,
Junior Vice-President, Immediate Past President, Hon Secretary , Hon Treasurer,
serve for a term of 12 months commencing on 1st July each year. There are a
number of other Club Officials.
The Club Council is the ultimate authority of the Club and
its members serve for a prescribed term subject to confirmation by the general
membership.
The Club has six operating Committees each of which usually meets monthly at
the most convenient time of day for the majority of its members; each committee
has a chairman who reports to the Club Council. New members should attend
a meeting of each committee and some of the Club events during their initial
six months as members of Walsall Rotary Club. Rotarians are expected to serve
on at least one committee.
Club Administration
Responsible for day to day running the Club and all its meetings, the provision
of regular Speakers, the monthly Bulletin, visits to and from other Clubs and
operational matters generally. It will aim to ensure that members get fun and
pleasure from their membership.
Membership Committee
Responsible for recruitment, attendance and development of club members. The
committee seeks, interviews and considers new members, reviews members attendance
at meetings and will aim to encourage members to develop their knowledge of
Rotary and the aims of the Rotary movement. In so doing ensure that members
get full value from their membership.
Rotary
Foundation
Rotary's own charity unique in that 100% of and money raised for Foundation
is used exclusively for charitable purposes. Not one penny is used in administration
because all admin costs are borne by Rotary itself from members subscriptions.
It supports charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally. Most
notable recent activity is Foundation's aim to eliminate Polio from the Earth.
Community & Vocational
Service
Aims to give help and pleasure to the local community, including the young,
the elderly and the handicapped by way of outings and parties. Will consider
donations and the provision of beneficial equipment for local people.
Sports & Entertainment
The committee organizes social and fund raising events, including the 10 &
5K Runs and 3k walk; a celebrity night and a variety of sporting activities.
Youth Activities
Liaison with local Schools and Groups to promote schemes and competitions for
Young Innovator, Young Chef, Young Trier, Young Designer and similar activities
to encourage the young. Some Members act as mentors under The Prince’s Youth
Business Trust.
International
Respond to worldwide emergencies, promote International Peace, and offer Humanitarian
Aid usually through local Rotary representation across the world. Arrange social
meetings for overseas visitors and make arrangements to foster periodic exchanges
between Walsall Rotary Club and its twinned Rotary Club in Bordeaux.
Q & A - Why should I join The Rotary Club of Walsall
Contacts:
The Membership Committee Chairman 0845 200 9428 additional contact - Alan Gough 01922 629000 (W)
JLM & SLP Oct 2006 - www.rotary.org.uk