Why Attendance at Meetings Matters

It is very difficult to have fellowship with an empty chair”.  I ran a full-time business from 1978, when I joined, until 2003 when I sold. I made every Rotary meeting unless there was an emergency.  According to the RI Constitution,

Rotarians are “supposed” to be owners or in a position of importance in their business. This means that they can adjust their work schedule to suit.  Of course, we know from Debbie K, that owners have to work when staff call in sick or don’t show up.  This should be the exception not the rule.

 

We have accepted members who are good people but who do not fit the classic example of who can be a Rotarian.  However without many  such members, we would not be able to do all the things that we do.  We have to find a model that will work. Many newer clubs communicate almost entirely by email and/or social media.  It does no good to ask half the club, at a meeting, if they will volunteer but miss the other half who are not there.

 

Communication is our downfall. Perhaps committee chairs could submit regular reports/updates to the Echo editor for publication.  Some items could be included each week such as Maria’s current hosts, her phone number and what she has done in the past week.  Committee reports at a club assembly are fine for those present but do not reach those not there. These reports should be in the newsletter in order to keep the non-attendees informed and make them feel better about being a Rotarian. Maybe they will actually make more meetings !

 

My rant for the day.

 

Ron