Shall I join Rotary?
by Jim ~ August 26th, 2008. Tags: Cedar-Rapids, church, rotary.So, I’ve been thinking about joining Rotary. But as of now I’m still undecided. I thought I’d share my pros and cons here and see if you can give me some feedback:
Pros:
1.) At this point I’m not that well connected in the community. While I tell my parishioners that we need to be involved in the community (finding out its needs and finding ways that as the Body of Christ we can serve), I myself don’t have a lot of connections around town. My connections are in the Presbyterian world and not so much in our community. That seems kind of insular to me, and I’m looking for ways to change that.
2.) I really like what Rotary does. My wife joined one of our city’s Rotary clubs, and I’ve been impressed by their activity in the community and around the world. The club I am thinking about joining is actively raising money to build a water well in a village in Kenya. Each meeting features some sort of program about a particular aspect of our community’s life.
Cons:
1.) It’s expensive. Dues alone for the club I’m looking at are over $1,500. I give a good portion of my income to the church, so I don’t feel like I can redirect that money elsewhere. I do have a ‘professional expense’ account as part of my compensation package, so perhaps I could use some of that to help cover dues expenses. But either way, joining Rotary requires a significant chunk of change.
2.) It’s time consuming. Attending weekly meetings are an expectation along with work on a committee. In some regards being a Rotarian is even more demanding than being a member of a church…expectations for your time and monetary investment are clearly laid out front and if you want to be a member you are required to meet them.
That’s my current thinking about joining Rotary. Really the big issue for me is the money. Personally, I’m not sure that the benefits outweigh the monetary cost, especially given other important priorities at this time in our lives.
I’d appreciate your thoughts.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Have you considered Habitat for Humanity? or some volunteer organizations which do not cost money, but get you involved in the community?
Unless your interest is meeting with professional people. How is the work being organized to clean-up and fix-up after the floods? Contact points there?
While a raising funds for a well in Kenya is great … it seems like the $1,500 would pay for the well in and of itself.
Here … the meetings also include a fee for the Rotary luncheons. I say that because I have covered a couple of the meetings. That is another expense if it is not figured into the dues.
Or you could always take up golf :>
joan
August 26th, 2008 at 9:54 am
How about joining a local Kiwanis club? I’m a fairly new member of the Hiawatha-CREW (Cedar Rapids Edgewood) club, and I’ve found it to be an excellent experience. The dues are MUCH less, not even $100 a year (if I remember correctly).
We are always looking for ideas to get involved in the community with volunteer projects. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet many new people that I otherwise may never have crossed paths with.
Another plus…meetings are only twice a month. If you’re curious, check out http://www.hiawahta-crew.org - it’s a newly created club, so not a ton of information available yet, but it’s a place to start.
August 26th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I gotta agree with jottingjoan and ask what part of the community you want to connect with?
I think it would be more helpful to become involved with a general relief/emergency organization in your area. One that provides direct relief and longer term help/training to those in need. Often the people who work at those organizations have a pretty good picture of the city as a whole.
August 26th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Jim,
Since I was one to tweet about you checking out the Rotary club, I should say that I think such a thing could be very useful. The Rotarians are very active and the networking opportunities for someone like yourself would be really good. I think this would be a worthwhile “professional expense”.
But, yeah, ask yourself what part of the community you want to be involved with. And, do you want to move your church in the direction the Rotarians are going?
August 26th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments.
I think when it comes down to it Mark is right on two parts…
1.) The primary reason I’d really want to join rotary would be for the “networking” opportunites, but more for the social aspect of finding some friends outside the church world. But then I didn’t join a Frat in college, cause I didn’t like the idea of paying to have a group of friends. I think there may be some other ways to go about that. Kiwanis sounds like a great alternative in terms of financial investment!
2.) The answer to the question about is that a direction I want my church to move, is not particularly. Shawn has it right…at this time, especially in this city…the better way for me to get involved with the community is working through some of the long term relieve and support organizations.
So, for now, rotary is coming off the table and I’m keeping my eyes open for other ways.