Member Orientation Gets Hands Up

Nick Lang’s goal for the club’s first ever in-meeting Member Orientation program was “to get a lot of discussion.”  Using a fill-in-the-blanks quiz sheet relating to the organization, structure and history of Rotary, Nick accomplished his goal as hands went up here, there and everywhere in answer to his questions.

Nick also distributed downloaded historical materials from the RI website about the life and times of founder Paul Harris, then facilitated discussion among members – new and longstanding. “The most touching was when I asked some of the newer members why they joined Rotary, then just stood back and listened,” he reports of the experience. 

Nick also shared the story about his Rotary sponsor.  In 1975, Guido Ravello, a neighbor (and fellow church member) was a successful American businessman who came to the US as a Cuban refugee in the early-1960's.  Rotary allowed him give back to his new country the blessings of freedom.  His printing business also benefited from printing jobs referred by fellow Rotarians. 

Thanks to the new Membership committee for coming up with the idea to schedule Orientation meetings periodically during regular Monday meetings.