You are in an elevator or a bus, or a subway car - in close proximity to someone unknown to you - and someone notices the Rotary pin on your lapel, or the Rotary emblem on your shirt. And, they ask What is Rotary? So, what do you say - knowing that it only takes 20-30 seconds to make a first impression, and many people tune you out in a minute.
E-CLUB PROGRAM
PRESIDING TODAY IS: Rick Phalunas
Ding! We’re now in session.
Welcome all – visitors, fellow Rotarians and guests alike to this E-Club program!
Remember the Four-Way Test!
At the beginning of each meeting we remind ourselves of the The Four-Way Test. Therefore, please remember to ask yourself always . . .
Of the things we think, say or do:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
A Reflective Moment
“Volunteers are unpaid not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless."
--Anonymous
A Lighter Moment
Supposedly astute questions asked of witnesses in a court room . . .
“How many times have you committed suicide?”
“Were you alone or by yourself?”
“Was it you or your brother who was killed?”
“Without saying anything, tell the jury what you did next.”
“Was that the same nose you broke as a child?”
“Now, doctor, isn’t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning?”
“Were you alone or by yourself?”
“Was it you or your brother who was killed?”
“Without saying anything, tell the jury what you did next.”
“Was that the same nose you broke as a child?”
“Now, doctor, isn’t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning?”
Today's Program - What do you say when asked: "What is Rotary?"
Well, one of the sessions (My Club and Beyond) in the first course of the Rotary Leadership Institute addresses just this scenario. With facilitated group discussion, and opportunity for personal reflection, just what you might say in this situation is considered with attention to: WHAT MAKES AN OUTSTANDING ELEVATOR SPEECH?
So, with only 20-30 seconds to say something, how might you prepare what to say? 1. Narrow your focus to 3 points or less.
2. Consider what is positive about Rotary as you know it.
3. Use convincing evidence, presented with energetic body language, upbeat tone of voice, while maintaining eye contact.
4. Don’t forget to invite him/her to a club meeting and get/give contact information so you can follow up, later.
5. What can you do to leave a favorable, memorable impression.
6. Be prepared to identify numerous benefits to appeal to a variety of personal interests, e.g. what's in it for me/you?
7. Practice!
Consider . . . What convinced, motivated, persuaded, informed you to join Rotary! What makes the difference now, for you to remain an active Rotarian? In other words, be prepared to say:
I am a Rotarian because…
What Rotary has done for me (or means to me.)
Did you know that the Rotary club does … (list two or three programs of which you are proud, or better yet, in which you participate, and tell them why.)
And, be prepared by having crafted rebuttals to potential responses to the following statements:
I don’t really want to join an organization that meets every week.
Why should I join Rotary instead of the Lions, Ruritans, Jaycee’s, etc?
What’s in it for me?
Remember, the MSRE website has a page devoted to many reasons to consider becoming a member of Rotary:
So, what do others say when someone asks this question of them? Here are examples . . .
+ The Greenvale Rotary Club is a group of like-minded professionals who have a passion for making a difference in our city and around the world. We are leaders who love helping people with a focus on children and families. Each week our members are inspired by excellent speakers who inform us about interesting topics or challenge us to be better people. We enjoy the friendship of fellow Rotarians who also like to have fun. We meet every Thursday at 7:00 am at (location).
+ Calgary West Rotary Club is a vibrant club of about 75 members with an average of approximately 55 at each luncheon. We have a strong speakers program that features experts talking about a variety of topics. While we support numerous local humanitarian organizations like the Food bank and Habitat for Humanity, internationally we tend to focus on micro-credit projects, building houses for the poorest of the poor in Mexico, and building 13+ schools in a remote area of Guatemala. Lots of clean water projects as well.
+ Rotary is an International service organization comprised of 1.4 million dedicated business and professional men and women that meet in local clubs to develop activities to make our community and the world a better place. Rotarians feed the hungry, work to rid the world of polio, educate the illiterate and respond to disaster. We make friends and have fun while serving others. Be my guest at a meeting and see for yourself.”*“Rotary is a global organization of business, professional and community leaders devoted to the concept of “service above self”, through involvement in community, vocational and international projects. There are 142 million Rotarians around the world. Our club is very active in supporting projects within our local community. (name some) We meet weekly at (the place and time). Come join me and we’ll show you what we do!”
+ Rotary is a century-old global network of 1.4 million professional men and women leaders, joined in fellowship and friendship in 46,000 clubs in over 200 countries around the world. Rotarians are all about “making a difference”. Our motto is “Service Above Self”. Internationally, Rotary has led the global effort to eliminate polio. Locally, our club supports many non-profit organizations like (name some your club helps). We have weekly meetings and interesting programs about what’s going on in our town and around the world. Why don’t you join me next week and see for yourself?”
When I was asked to prepare my elevator speech, I drafted the following:
Rotary is a century-old, global, apolitical, non-sectarian, diverse group of 1.4 million volunteers seeking to make friends and have fun serving others. We encourage and foster the development of acquaintance as opportunity to serve, and to advance understanding and peace. We hold ourselves to high ethical standards in our business, professional, and personal lives. My Rotary club is a small group of geographically and professionally diverse members who meet and communicate virtually via the internet, while participating individually in service projects sponsored not only by our and other Rotary clubs, but also myriad other organizations committed to facilitating change which improves the human condition of individuals and communities locally, regionally, nationally, and/or globally. Most recent support from/by our members has targeted food insecurity, education, youth leadership, children’s health, and disaster relief causes/projects. Visit our website 24/7/365 to enjoy one of our monthly programs and learn more about the Mountain State Rotary e-Club and Rotary: msre.org.
Given this critique advice, I usually do not unload all at once. I tend to pick and choose parts, depending on the context. So, I am still working on it. Hopefully, you will too!
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We hope you enjoyed this program on Answering the query: What is Rotary? Thank you for attending this meeting of the Mountain State Rotary e-Club.
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