Rotary is what you make of it. Whether you’ve worn the same hat in your club for decades or are looking to try a new one on for size, we want to know: What’s your Rotary style?
THE WORLD TRAVELER
You’re best friends with the nurses at the travel vaccination clinic and keep a packed suitcase in your hallway so you can fly out the door at a moment’s notice. The stamps in your passport are your badge of honor. You’ve been taking samba lessons for the past four years to get ready for the 2015 Rotary convention in São Paulo, Brazil, and you take the lead whenever your club has an international project under way.
Favorite Rotary Fellowships: Esperanto, Travel and Hosting, Convention Goers, and Magicians (because you want to learn to apparate)
Habitat: The streets leading to make-up meetings
Hardware: Rotary club banner collection, the biggest carry-on that will fit in the overhead bin, and frequent flyer card
Most recent tweet: Have you registered for Brazil? #ricon2015
If you’re like this, try: Participating in a Rotary Friendship Exchange. Spend weeks abroad without paying a hotel bill and meet other Rotarians along the way.
THE ROTARY BOOSTER
You push all the buttons in the elevator to buy more time to talk to other people about Rotary. You don’t need a Rotary pin – you have a Rotary gearwheel tattoo instead. You’re invited to district conferences and training seminars all over the country to give presentations about the power of Rotary. You can’t talk about how we’re “this close” to ending polio without tearing up.
Favorite Rotary Fellowships: Rotary Global History and Rotary Heritage & History
Habitat: A van with Rotary gearwheel hubcaps and a “Proud Member” window decal that you drive from district to district, sharing the good word of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation
Hardware: A stack of “What’s Rotary?” wallet cards, The Rotarian magazine, and Rotary pins so you can induct anyone at a moment’s notice
Most recent tweet: #WeAreRotary #EndPolioNow
If you’re like this, try: Sharing stories from The Rotarian on social media. Also ask your club to use Rotary’s RSS (really simple syndication) feed as an easy way to get headlines, news, and information from Rotary.org, formatted for your club’s website or news reader.
THE BORN LEADER![born-leader]()
You joined Interact after your Rotary Youth Exchange in Brazil, founded the Rotaract club at your college, and applied for Rotary membership at 25. From the time you led your first committee meeting, you felt at home taking the reins. Every 1 July, your email inbox is flooded with messages related to your newest leadership position, and you’re running out of room for all your pins, banners, and patches.
Favorite Rotary Fellowships: Past District Governors, Golf, and Marathon Running (because leadership is a marathon, not a sprint)
Habitats: Training seminars and the International Assembly, your Rotary alumni association, and the head seat at the boardroom table
Hardware: Gavel and book of inspirational quotes
Most recent tweet: Evanston-bound #Rotary
If you’re like this, try: Rubbing elbows with other leaders and diplomats discussing critical social issues at the annual Rotary-UN Day, held every November in New York City. Or hone your leadership skills at a Rotary institute.
THE MENTOR
You have perfect attendance at the local Interact club meeting, run outdoor leadership training events through Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and are on a first-name basis with Rotaract leaders. You teach new members the ins and outs of Rotary, and they tell you about the newest fundraising strategies and ideas for attracting even more members. You understand that bringing young professionals into Rotary keeps clubs lively and are always there to guide young people toward their next life-changing Rotary experience.
Favorite Rotary Fellowships: Social Networks, Canoeing, Scouting, and Flying (you like to help people stretch their wings)
Habitat: Orientation events of any kind
Hardware: iPhone 6 Plus – your mentorship sessions happen through FaceTime – and a giant stack of business cards, because if someone needs information about scholarships or Rotary programs, you’re on it
Most recent tweet: Rotary Youth Exchange is not just a year of your life; it’s a life in a year! #becauseYEX
If you’re like this, try: Hosting a New Generations Service Exchange participant, volunteering at a RYLA event, or sponsoring a community-based Rotaract club. Or organize a Rotary Community Corps to take action in your area.
THE WALLET OPENER
When your club holds an auction, you always come away with more than one item. You’re the major sponsor of your club’s big annual fundraiser and will support any race your fellow club members run or cycle in. You put your change in the tip jar at the coffee shop, and at the convenience store, you always leave a penny, never take.
Favorite Rotary Fellowship: Rotary Means Business
Habitats: Charity balls and grade-school craft fairs
Hardware: Pen and checkbook, multiple Paul Harris Fellow pin, and a stash of dollar bills for “happy bucks”
Most recent tweet: The Rotary Foundation is my charity of choice, what’s yours? #MillionDollarDinner #PaulHarrisFellow
If you’re like this, try: Using your Foundation recognition points to match the contributions of a new member to make him or her a Paul Harris Fellow.
THE PARTY ANIMAL
You may miss a regular meeting or two, but you’ll never miss a social event. Your favorite part of Rotary is your club’s annual Oktoberfest fundraiser. You always have an inbox full of invites, and never met a potluck you didn’t like. You’re always willing to bring a dish and a bottle of wine.
Favorite Rotary Fellowships: Beer, Wine, Singles, and Cooking
Habitat: Local restaurants, where you’re dining with your Rotarian friends
Hardware: A beer-can hat with Rotary can coolers, which you wear at Rotary institutes
Most recent tweet: Pub crawl 2nite after #Rotary district conference
If you’re like this, try: Attending a Host Organization Committee event at the Rotary convention. At home, put together a happy hour and invite club members, along with people who aren’t familiar with Rotary so they can see that your club works hard but knows how to have a good time.
THE WORKER BEE![worker-bee]()
Rain or shine, you’re there to deliver holiday meals or hand out cups of water at the annual Rotary run. You might not make every meeting due to commitments to your children’s after-school activities, but you’ll be the first to pitch in on any service project. You volunteer not only for Rotary but for the animal shelter and the PTA. Your motto is “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.”
Favorite Rotary Fellowships: Cycling, Skiing, Tennis – anything that keeps you moving
Habitats: High school band concerts, softball games, and the golf course (because you recruit volunteers wherever you are)
Hardware: Google calendar, so you can keep track of all your family’s commitments
Most recent tweet: On my way!
If you’re like this, try: Volunteering on a community service project sponsored by a Rotary club other than your own. Find one at Rotary Ideas (ideas.rotary.org), a way for clubs to crowdsource everything from funds to manpower. Or use Rotary Showcase (www.rotary.org/showcase) to browse projects that clubs are doing around the world – and share your own.