Greetings -- Think Vocational Service RULE #1: HAVE FUN!

District Governor Selection 2010 -2011

Happy October and Vocational Services Month! With more clubs adopting the new Club Leadership Plan, Vocational Service is now functioning in two different ways: (1) as one of the avenues of service under the original organization plan of a Rotary club; and (2) under the heading of Service Projects in the new Club Leadership Plan. Regardless of how your club is organized, it is still a very important part of Rotary – since Rotarians are classified on the basis of their vocation.

October is a very appropriate month to spotlight (more than we usually do) The Four-Way Test which was created by Rotarian and later Rotary International President Herbert Taylor in 1932. He used it as a guideline for the development and maintenance of high ethical standards in human relations – standards which should be reflected in our everyday life as well as in the workplace.

We as Rotarians can practice The Four-Way Test as we guide young people into the selection of their careers. We can assist the universities and community colleges in our district as they hold job fairs and counseling for students who are preparing to embark into their chosen field. One example is Linn-Benton Community College in Albany where they recruit business people from the community to provide mock interviews with students to help prepare them for their “first impression” on a prospective employer.

In District 5110, the Vocational Service Committee Chair is Philomath Rotarian Don Malcolm. This committee is responsible for developing and promoting vocational service activities with the clubs throughout the district with the primary focus on vocational ethics. One of the most visible activities of this committee is The Four-Way Speech Contest held at District Conference. We can look forward to this activity again at this year’s conference to be held in Bend, May 3-5. For details, please contact Don Malcolm.

Under Vocational Service, we also can promote and enjoy Rotary Fellowships of Rotarians who share the same career paths. The District Fellowships Chair is Albany Rotarian Ed Goering. Some of the fellowships to which you may belong along vocational lines are accountants, disaster managers and responders, editors and publishers, and education – just to name a few. A complete listing is at the Rotary website, click on RI programs, and then Global Networking Groups. There is even a fellowship for Rotarian magicians!

So as you can see, there are many ways to participate under Vocational Service. For further information on suggested activities for your club, go to the Rotary International website www.rotary.org and click on RI Programs, and then Vocational Service.

And, have a Happy Vocational Service Month!