What follows are the most frequently asked questions of Members of the Rotary Club.
Q: What is Rotary?
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world.
Q: Is Rotary just a local organization?
No, Rotary is a worldwide organization, with approximately 1,200,000 members in over 31,300 clubs in over 166 countries.
Q: What is the main object of Rotary?
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
Q: How do I join?
You must: reside or work in Elmhurst or the immediate vicinity; be employed in a business or profession for which there is an open classification slot in our Rotary Club; be willing to become an active member in our Rotary Club and an advocate for the Rotary Motto of "Service above Self"; be proposed for membership by a current Rotarian; and be accepted for membership by the members of our Club.
Q: You mentioned that I must be employed in a business or profession for which there is an available classification slot. What does that mean?
Membership in Rotary is based on a business and professional classification system. Each prospective member will be classified at the time he or she is considered based upon that business or profession in which he or she spends at least 60% of his/her time. Moreover, in order to insure and maintain a diverse representation of Elmhurst businesses and professions within the membership base of the Club, Rotary limits membership in any one classification to not more than 10% of the Club. Therefore, in order to qualify for membership in our Club, there must be an available membership slot for the classification you represent.
Q: What are the expectations if I am invited to join your Rotary Club?
You are encouraged to attend weekly meetings, be actively involved in our Club's internal programs and activities, and participate in our Club's community service projects.
Q: Before joining, can I attend a meeting too see what your Club is about?
Yes, but since Rotary meetings are exclusively for member Rotarians and their guests, you must be invited to attend by a current member.
Q: How often are the meetings?
Rotary clubs throughout the world meet once a week. Our Rotary Club meets every Thursday morning at the Kopper kitchen Family Restaurant in Elmhurst, located at 601 W. St. Charles Rd. Elmhurst, Illinois.
Q: How long as Rotary been around?
Rotary is the world's first service club and was founded in Chicago, Illinois by Paul Harris and others in February, 1905.
Q: Is attendance important if I become a member?
Yes. Members, for their own benefit and that of your fellow members and the Club, should strive to attend (or make-up when unable to attend) every meeting of our Club but in any event Club members must maintain an attendance percentage of at least 60% in order to remain a member of the Club.
Q: Are there membership age limitations?
Rotary clubs are composed of adult members. However, there is no specific age limitation.
Q: I am not a member, but would like to have fliers distributed at lunch. Can I do that?
No.
Q: I visited a Rotary Club as a guest and heard the term "Paul Harris Fellow". What does that mean?
Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary in Chicago in 1905. Recognition as a "Paul Harris Fellow" is accorded to those making monetary donations of $1,000 or more to the Foundation of Rotary International.
Q: Who can I call for more information?
Call or e-mail the President, President-Elect or Secretary of the Club. You will find their phone numbers and e-mail addresses under the heading "Officers" on the menu of this Web Site.
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