Happy New Year Fellow Rotarians!!
 
I hope you all had a joyous Christmas and Holiday Season.  We have had a great time with our children and their families this past week.  The couple days before Christmas were pretty brutal, however, fighting the extreme cold and wind to move snow to get the feed trucks in.  I hope the worst weather is over, but some areas are experiencing some large snowfalls as I write this.
 
January is Vocational Service Month.  In my 38 years of being a Rotarian, I’ve been a little confused as to what vocational service means in Rotary.  I found an article on-line that explains it quite well.  The concept of vocational service is rooted in the Second Objective in the Object of Rotary which calls on Rotarians to “encourage and foster”:
  • High ethical standards in business and professionalism
  • The recognition of the worthiness of all occupations
  • The dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society
As a Rotarian consider these suggestions to put the above ideals into action.
  • Talk about your vocation in your club and take time to learn about fellow members’ vocations.
  • Use your professional skills to serve a community.
  • Practice your profession with integrity and inspire other to behave ethically through your own words and actions.
  • Help a young person achieve his or her career aspirations.
  • Guide and encourage others in their professional development.
As I recall my membership in Rotary, I see that our club members have done a good job with most if not all of these points.  Some of the most interesting programs that we have had is members or guests talking about their business or profession.
 
As we begin the second half of the Rotary year, I want to remind you of my District Rotary goals of 10% membership growth and $250,000 in donations to The Rotary Foundation.  I will bring these up several times before the end of the year.  When Carol and I have confidence in winter weather travel, we will hit the road again to visit clubs and present banners recognizing outstanding donations to The Rotary Foundation.
 
Finally, I want to strongly encourage clubs to hold their officer elections ASAP.  We need to know who the President Elects are and encourage them to attend PETS in Mitchell April 27-29.  DGE Rich Burns has great plans to provide a fun, educational and inspirational experience for all who attend.
 
John Schneider
DG 5610