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The Family of Rotary Ideas

The Rotary Club of Buckhead, Georgia has developed a "Caring Hands Program" to assist Rotarians and their families in their times of need through a structured volunteer group of Rotarian caregivers and counselors. It includes spiritual care; cards, flowers, and visitations to the sick, the disabled, and the homebound; proclamations honoring deceased Rotarians; counseling and assistance on financial and other matters.

The Jonesboro University Rotary Club has established a Family of Rotary Committee to assist with club projects, activities, and goals of the club as well as supporting the extended families by "offering a Hand". They are undertaking many of the following ideas which are part of the Presidential Citation.

Recently, the Standard Rotary Club Constitution was amended to allow for the cancellation of a regular meeting due to the death of a club member. Obviously, club members should be represented at the deceased Rotarian's funeral.

Many clubs are now organizing memorial services for deceased Rotarians who have passed on during the year. Their spouses should be invited to participate and, where appropriate, they may wish to make a presentation to Rotary in memory of their loved one. It might be a tree planting, a bench, gift to the RI Foundation, or something for their specific club.

Upon the death of a Rotarian, contact with the spouse and family should be maintained. Send a gift subscription of The Rotarian to the surviving spouse. When appropriate, the spouse might be encouraged to join Rotary.

Include non-Rotarian family members (e.g. spouses, adult children, widows or widowers) into the Family of Rotary through service and fellowship activities to promote club well-being. (required for Presidential Citation)

Work with the Attendance and/or Membership Committee to establish a system to follow up with club members who have missed recent meeting to help in scheduling a make-up meeting (Acquaint them with the new electronic makeup system).

Hold a Family Week when recognition should be given to the importance of Rotarians' families and their contributions to your club's success.

Assure that members who have joined within the last three years are either leading a service project or committee or actively involved on a committee.

Invite spouses and family members to at least five meetings, events, or socials during the Rotary year.

Hold a series of five meetings at the workplace of newer members when appropriate.

Develop and initiate a new project in support of the Family of Rotary.

Send cards and/or flowers to members who are hospitalized or sick.

Recognize individual's successes, job changes, family news in the club newsletter.

Encourage Rotarians to sit at different tables with new members, guests, and other Rotarians whom they don't know.

Begin the new Rotary year with a church service to which members of our families can be invited.

Incorporate in our weekly meetings is a one-minute slot called “Information on Families of Rotary”. Here we could mention successes, advancements, promotions, illnesses, need or anything pertaining to the well-being of our families.

Include in our program for the year “Family Days”. This can take the part of an outing, a Barbeque, a Games evening or a Karaoke evening.

Whenever  there is a fifth meeting day in a month we can invite our spouses as our guests at that meeting.

The Family of Rotary committee members could be proactive in visiting families who are experiencing problems and in the process try to offer themselves as resources to assist in the solution of  identifiable difficulties.

Use our contacts and our information base to assist  families in identifying specialized services where these might be required.

All clubs should endeavor to put on special events during the second week in February which Rotary International has declared as Family week.

At the club level, President Jonathan is asking that, club members should be represented at a deceased Rotarian’s funeral. Obituary notices should be issued by Rotary and contact maintained with the Rotarian’s spouse and family.

He is also proposing that where possible the spouse of a deceased member should be invited to become a member of the club. Of course the assumption is that the membership qualification of the spouse can be met.

The Rotary Club of Monbulk have organized this activity for you and all your family. Come and join us!  WHEN? ON SUNDAY 2ND MAY 2004 – COMMENCING ANY TIME BETWEEN 10AM & NOON from O’Donohue Picnic Ground, Sherbrooke Lodge Rd.  Discover some of the delights of Sherbrooke Forest, Sherbrooke Falls & the Autumn Leaves of the Alfred Nicholas Gardens.  Distance approx 4.5 kms but shorter distances can be walked.  Cost: Family $12.50 (no limit on numbers) or $5.00 per person (includes a sausage & a can of soft drink upon completion & Certificate of Participation)  PROCEEDS TO LOCAL ROTARY PROJECTS INCLUDING MONBULK COLLEGE’S DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Friendship was the foundation on which Rotary service was built. The Family of Rotary Concept will encourage clubs and members to care for Rotarians, Rotarians’ families (spouses and children), remember the spouses of deceased Rotarians, foster good relations with the Rotary family of clubs (Interact, Rotaract, Inner Wheel and Probis) and to support Rotary Clubs and Rotarians worldwide.

The goals are to:

Increase Rotarian satisfaction and thus improve retention; Involve more people in Rotary events thus making Service Projects more successful; Support Rotary Foundation and International projects.

What should a club do?

• Give responsibility for the Family of Rotary to a club officer or club committee. This may be either an existing or a new post or committee. This person or committee will: 

• Gather information and establish a database about club Rotarians. (Birthdays, anniversaries, spouse’s name, children/grandchildren)

• Monitor news for accomplishments of Rotarians and acknowledge these by congratulations card or announcement at the club meeting

• Establish a budget for flowers and cards.

• Inform members when there is a cause for concern. (Illness or death)

• Develop and implement a plan for quickly informing all members of the death or illness of a member, spouse or member’s close family.

• Develop and implement a regular schedule of contact and involvement for surviving spouses. (Newsletters, Club Directory, Rotarian Magazine and invitations to events.)

• Plan an annual memorial event to recognize and remember deceased Rotarians. 

• Ensure there is a program of greeters for Rotary meetings and events.

• Plan family events and occasions when family may be invited to club meetings.

• Invite family members to participate in: service projects, fund-raising activities and special club events.

• Conduct a survey of members fellowship ideas and needs.

• Share ideas with District and with other Clubs.

Rotary works hard all year to raise money for good works in the community. Once a year it’s time for the whole Rotary family to get together and play. This year they met at Tommy McGinnis’.  Tommy almost has a "theme park" at his house. The kids swam, played volleyball and zipped along side the cornfield in go-carts while the men played beanbag. As a big orange moon came up over the hill, the women relaxed in the swings and lounge chairs after enjoying a steak roast that they didn’t have to cook.

Have a Party in the Park.  Invite entertainment, clowns, games, food, booths, petting zoo, rides, inflatables, etc.

Sponsor a Seminar for new parents in child development or for emphasis on “Family values”.

Organize / encourage father / daughter, mother / son Dinner.

Encourage parents reading to their children.

Raise awareness on child abuse prevention program in the community.

Promote a safe and fun weekend activity for the community’s teenagers.

Volunteer at a shelter for homeless families, Devote specific time per week or fortnight on festival days.

Create a park or recreational area where parents can spend time with the children.

Provide material and support to day care facility or orphanage. Create an after school activity program for children which will give them a safe place to go when parents are at work.

Invite parents/children/other relatives of club members for a weekly meeting or organize a special family get together over dinner or snacks, with families. (It is found Rotarians get better support from family members for their Rotary activities if family members are also involved in Rotary).

Create in club bulletin, a special column for family achievement of club members or items related to family values.

Encourage members to participate in district events aimed at family values.

Arrange intercity meet, intercity forum or seminar on family values.

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