August 2017 Rotary Service newsletter | Making the most of your membership

Rotarians around the world serve their communities

RI President Ian Riseley recognizes that it’s important that Rotary clubs define service themselves. During 2017-18, he encourages Rotary members to answer the question “What is Rotary?” with the theme Rotary: Making a Difference. However members choose to serve, they know their service makes a difference in the lives of others. Here are some examples of clubs doing just that:

Make new friends all around the world

At President Riseley’s direction, the Rotary Friendship Exchange program has expanded and is now open to both Rotarians and non-Rotarians, with an emphasis on including more young professionals. The program allows participants to experience a different culture, deepen their international understanding, foster goodwill, and explore their professions in a different context while building lasting friendships and a foundation for peace and service. We encourage districts to organize exchanges around at least one of these themes: cultural, service, and vocational.

Group cultural exchanges

Riseley encourages districts to participate in group cultural exchanges, a type of Rotary Friendship Exchange, over the coming year. Emphasizing cultural immersion, these exchanges ideally incorporate non-Rotarian young professionals, or those who are changing careers, to raise greater awareness, deepen intercultural understanding, and foster a global mindset.

Learn more about Rotary Friendship Exchange and work with your district’s chair to organize an exchange. Read about the benefits of an exchange.

Showcase your service work in Toronto

Apply for a Rotary project booth to share your service project with thousands of members of the Rotary family from around the world. Connect with potential project sponsors and inspire others to undertake similar activities in their communities. Apply for a booth by 20 October.

Do you have an idea or project you want to tell the Rotary world about? Organize a breakout session at the Toronto Convention! Submit a proposal to teach others what you’ve learned about service projects, strengthening membership, partnerships, or leadership development. Proposals are due 1 October.

Resources & reference

Rotary Ideas

Rotary Showcase

Rotary Discussion Groups

Rotary's Area of Focus guide

Community Assessment Tools

Rotary Service offers resources and news to help you plan effective service projects.

Send questions and story ideas to rotary.service@rotary.org.