The Four-Way Test and Membership
By: DG Marion Cheney, RC of Dover
August is membership month.
We all have our Rotary journey stories. Some of us joined because a family member was a Rotarian. Others became members because their employers wanted exposure in the community.
I became a member because of the US Supreme Court ruling.
My first attempt was at a Club in the South. I was a guest speaker at this Club on two separate occasions. A member of the Club asked me to apply, and I did. My membership was denied despite the Supreme Court ruling.
A year later, Harry and I were transferred to Florida and that’s where I met Susan, President of the Rotary Club where we lived. I attended several meetings before I was invited to join. That was 33 years ago.
As Rotarians, we all have the honor to extend an invitation. Think about advancing diversity, equity and inclusion when we are growing our membership. It’s making our meetings and events where we can speak openly and honestly with each other. A place where our members feel welcome and safe.
At Rotary, we are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, allowing everyone’s voice to
be heard, and providing equitable opportunities for fellowship, service, and leadership.
At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
Let the Four-Way Test be your guide to membership recruitment.
By: Emma Bodwell, DGN; Past Chair, DISC; RC of Bridgton-Lake Region
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