Can somebody explain to me what the Rotary Club is? (1 Viewer)

[playin4beer]

My 17 year old daughter who's a Junior in High School was selected by the School for some Rotary Club student program..

She had a meeting today at the School with the Superintendent and I assume somebody from the Rotary.

The Superintendent told my wife (who's a teacher at the school) how impressed they were with my daughter and to be prepared to make a decision on March 24th on whether

or not she wants to pursue this opportunity.

Does anybody have any personal experience with Rotary?? Can you explain what exactly it involves for students?? Benefits?? Expectations??

Explain it to me like I'm 7.. I'm nowhere near as bright as my daughter

 

[TheIronSheik]

My 17 year old daughter who's a Junior in High School was selected by the School for some Rotary Club student program..

She had a meeting today at the School with the Superintendent and I assume somebody from the Rotary.

The Superintendent told my wife (who's a teacher at the school) how impressed they were with my daughter and to be prepared to make a decision on March 24th on whether

or not she wants to pursue this opportunity.

Does anybody have any personal experience with Rotary?? Can you explain what exactly it involves for students?? Benefits?? Expectations??

Explain it to me like I'm 7.. I'm nowhere near as bright as my daughter

My senior year of high school, I did something similar to this. I was elected VP of it (mainly because it was just me and a couple of friends who did it) and we would go to meetings/lunches once a month. I don't remember much about it, other than I got out of school once a month to get a nice meal. I think we organized some events, like caroling at an old folks home for Christmas or something, too. Although I could be crossing my clubs up.

Whatever it was, the whole reason I did it was to put on my college admissions. I'm sure if I wanted, it could have been much more, but I'm sure we did the bare minimum.

 

[Fla\/\/ed]

Rotary is a great organization that is world wide. I recommend checking out their website to learn more about everything they do as well as programs for students including youth exchange programs.

 

[TLEF316]

I always kind of assumed it was a bunch of broads with nothing better to do having potlucks.

 

[Jaysus]

Can somebody explain to me what the Rotary Club is?

Judging by the early replies, I expect the answer to that question to be "no"

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I always kind of assumed it was a bunch of broads with nothing better to do having potlucks.

Me too but then I read this:

From 1905 until the 1980s, women were not allowed membership in Rotary clubs,

 

[SacramentoBob]

It's a place for Rotarians.

 

[NutterButter]

I always kind of assumed it was a bunch of broads with nothing better to do having potlucks.

This. I don't want to know otherwise. It will always be this to me.

 

[SacramentoBob]

I used to work with a guy who was in this. Hands down one of the strangest people I've ever met.

 

[playin4beer]

Rotary is a great organization that is world wide. I recommend checking out their website to learn more about everything they do as well as programs for students including youth exchange programs.

I have been checking out the website... pretty general on the info.. I was looking for first hand experience..

 

[jonessed]

I see them organizing charitable events locally all the time. They have to be seriously hooked into the business community because they get some fantastic sponsorships.

 

[Parrothead]

a group of old ladies who have old-school telephones

 

[playin4beer]

So we have a group of old ladies sitting around pot lucks with telephones....

Sound about right??

 

[Jack White]

It's a service club where a bunch of mostly old men get together for lunch once a month and talk about their community and charity work.

 

[jwb]

It's a service club where a bunch of mostly old men get together for lunch once a month and talk about their community and charity work.

I always saw it as similar to the Chamber of Commerce, but with only the upper tier people who've moved beyond handing out business cards.

It is definitely plugged in to the higher levels of business in your community.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

a group of old ladies who have old-school telephones

http://ak6.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/4193086/preview/stock-footage-senior-woman-talking-on-the-old-rotary-phone-at-home-focus-on-the-telephone.jpg

 

[Guest]

I think they witness and verify the signing of legal documents.

 

[TripItUp]

Referenced in the movie "Groundhog Day."

That's all I got.

 

[GregR]

It's a service club where a bunch of mostly old men get together for lunch once a month and talk about their community and charity work.

I always saw it as similar to the Chamber of Commerce, but with only the upper tier people who've moved beyond handing out business cards.

It is definitely plugged in to the higher levels of business in your community.

I think my father was in it when I was a kid, yes, mostly manager level people where we lived.

It was a good business networking opportunity back then at least.

 

[playin4beer]

It's a 4 day leadership camp that they want her to attend.. I'm not seeing much of a downside.

 

[Joe Summer]

I was part of a similar program when I was in high school. We went to a few dinner gatherings at a local country club and then participated in a "volunteer" fundraising event. That was it. Got my picture in the paper and had something to put on my college application.

 

[captain_amazing]

People who like to drive in circles, I believe.

 

[El Floppo]

It's a service club where a bunch of mostly old men get together for lunch once a month and talk about their community and charity work.

I always saw it as similar to the Chamber of Commerce, but with only the upper tier people who've moved beyond handing out business cards.

It is definitely plugged in to the higher levels of business in your community.

I think my father was in it when I was a kid, yes, mostly manager level people where we lived.

It was a good business networking opportunity back then at least.

this was exactly my dad.

joined the rotary club when he first moved to our town (1960) to generate contacts and drum up business (dentist). don't think he was active 10 years later, but he always claimed it helped him get patients early on.

 

[MC Gas Money]

I thought they were helicopter pilots

 

[cstu]

My only experience with them was the day that I flew halfway around the world to Tanzania my uncle in law asked me to give a speech on business in the U.S. to the local Rotary chapter. Most insane thing I've ever done.

What is it? A bunch of business people who get together to talk about business and have lunch.

 

[Don Quixote]

When I was in high school, the local rotary club sponsored me for a trip to the "World Affairs Seminar" in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It was exciting as it sounds.

I had to give a report at their meeting when I got back. They were generally harmless folks.

 

[MC Gas Money]

My only experience with them was the day that I flew halfway around the world to Tanzania my uncle in law asked me to give a speech on business in the U.S. to the local Rotary chapter. Most insane thing I've ever done.

What is it? A bunch of business people who get together to talk about business and have lunch.

Please post the speech

 

[cstu]

My only experience with them was the day that I flew halfway around the world to Tanzania my uncle in law asked me to give a speech on business in the U.S. to the local Rotary chapter. Most insane thing I've ever done.

What is it? A bunch of business people who get together to talk about business and have lunch.

Please post the speech

I had nothing written and winged the whole thing - only 5 minutes and then about 10 minutes of questions (those weren't too bad actually). At least I got a certificate out of it!

 

[Righetti]

i always thought it was a bit similar to the The Lions club and a little less SAE than Knights of Columbus?

 

[MCguidance]

As a high school guidance counselor, you really only need to know that this is a great opportunity. It will not only help educate her through experience now, but also perhaps pay dividends as a part of her (quickly approaching) college applications.

 

[playin4beer]

As a high school guidance counselor, you really only need to know that this is a great opportunity. It will not only help educate her through experience now, but also perhaps pay dividends as a part of her (quickly approaching) college applications.

This is the kind of info I was looking for.. Not that I don't appreciate the humorous answers too

 

[DaVinci]

It's like the Shriners without the funny hats and little cars.

 

[Galileo]

As a high school guidance counselor, you really only need to know that this is a great opportunity. It will not only help educate her through experience now, but also perhaps pay dividends as a part of her (quickly approaching) college applications.

This is the kind of info I was looking for.. Not that I don't appreciate the humorous answers too

Our local Rotary group is pretty active in charitable events, sponsoring HS essay contests, awarding college scholarships, and they even give out a teacher award each year...usually to a teacher who has been involved in working with "at risk" students in some manner. I have had only positive experiences with the group.

 

[MCguidance]

As a high school guidance counselor, you really only need to know that this is a great opportunity. It will not only help educate her through experience now, but also perhaps pay dividends as a part of her (quickly approaching) college applications.

This is the kind of info I was looking for.. Not that I don't appreciate the humorous answers too

No problem. If you have any other questions, let me know. I work with 9-12 graders and have a side college consulting business, so while this might be the first time for you, I do this 50+ times per year.

 

[17seconds]

Referenced in the movie "Groundhog Day."

That's all I got.

And Chevy Chase at a Klan rally (in I think Fletch 2) dressed in the white robe and hood:"rotary club was closed"

 

[sports_fan]

have you tried assing your daughter?

 

[Galileo]

have you tried assing your daughter?

 

[JHuber77]

Club where they work on old Rotary engines?

 

[Michael Brown]

My little league team sponsor.

"RAL-LY...RO-TA-RY!"

 

[top dog]

Even after reading this thread I'm not sure what the club is

 

[jwb]

As a high school guidance counselor, you really only need to know that this is a great opportunity. It will not only help educate her through experience now, but also perhaps pay dividends as a part of her (quickly approaching) college applications.

This is the kind of info I was looking for.. Not that I don't appreciate the humorous answers too

Yes, it's a good thing for her. At worst, it's something for the early resume. And you never know - it's definitely where business leaders are. The local bank president is likely a rotary member, some of the better lawyers, one of the named partners of the areas largest accounting firm, etc.

You could look at it as a service / volunteer club led by people who've "made it", and are looking to give back. I think you have to be invited/sponsored, too. People do join to network, but not in the traditional sense. Nobody hands out business cards or looks for referrals.

 

[Snoopy]

Club where they work on old Rotary engines?

or of people who still use rotary phones?

 

[MC Gas Money]

My only experience with them was the day that I flew halfway around the world to Tanzania my uncle in law asked me to give a speech on business in the U.S. to the local Rotary chapter. Most insane thing I've ever done.

What is it? A bunch of business people who get together to talk about business and have lunch.

Please post the speech

I had nothing written and winged the whole thing - only 5 minutes and then about 10 minutes of questions (those weren't too bad actually). At least I got a certificate out of it!

Please please please try to remember some of it.

I need to hear you explain american business.

It will make my week

 

[KCitons]

The first rule of Rotary Club is you don't talk about Rotary Club/

 

[Mr. Retukes]

i always thought it was a bit similar to the The Lions club and a little less SAE than Knights of Columbus?

Lions and Knights Of Columbus are more like the Stonecutters.

 

[SacramentoBob]

have you tried assing your daughter?

Patrick Bateman alias?

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Even after reading this thread I'm not sure what the club is

Its been covered here. Its an international organization that is based on local community leaders convening for fellowship and doing good things for the community. Its very similar to all the clubs mentioned - though each has their own special "thing." Really nothing weird about it. Mostly guys get together for a bad group lunch and plan one or two fund-raisers during the year.

The Rotary club "thing" is sponsoring international exchange students.

Most of the time, people belong to several of these organizations in a community - Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees (under 35), Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, etc.