Seven Habits
of Highly Effective Rotarians
by Dr. Jagdish Bhatt of
the Rotary Club of Bombay Airport Mumbai, India
ATTENDANCE
They always make it a point to attend as many Rotary meetings of their
clubs and also of other clubs, as is possible. They are aware that
attending Rotary meetings is a very important part of being a Rotarian.
They do not miss any chance to attend such meetings. They also attend
meetings of various committees of which they are members and even some
others if they are invited. They are keen to attend various district
functions and all projects of their club. They are proud to attend the
district assembly and the district conference every year. They would try
to attend the Rotary convention at least once in five years.
FELLOWSHIP
They enjoy meeting other Rotarians. They often feel that in some of the
Rotary functions meeting and exchanging greetings with others is often
as important as actual transactions of the meeting. They go out of their
way to talk to those whom they do not know. They go by the dictum that a
stranger is a friend whom you have not yet met. Even outside Rotary
they enjoy meeting people and getting aquatinted with them. At large
gatherings of Rotarians they try to meet members from other clubs,
rather than fraternizing with members of their own club.
VOCATION
They have respect for every vocation. Vocation and classification are
the basis of Rotary. They firmly believe that each vocation provides a
cog in the wheel and each one has its own importance, however
insignificant it may appear by itself in comparison with others. They
firmly subscribe to the view that each person should try to excel in
whatever he is doing and try to help others to reach a higher level of
efficiency in their work.
DISCIPLINE
They believe that no useful work can be achieved in a productive manner
without discipline, both within and outside. They appreciate the value
of self-discipline because they are aware that like charity, discipline
begins at home. Not only do they practice discipline but will also
enforce it when needed.
TIME, MONEY AND ENERGY
They know that they are in Rotary for a purpose. They fully realize that
they have to earmark a certain amount of time, money and energy for
Rotary as a part of being a Rotarian. They also realize that they are
members of a society where all these three items are to be shared for
their vocation, family and the community. They see to it that a proper
balance is maintained while rationing out these commodities.
EMPATHY
They put themselves in the position of the other person, especially if
the other person is in difficulty. They know that mere sympathy is never
enough. They feel the pain and experience difficulties of others
themselves. They also understand that what they are doing for the
community is merely returning a very small part of what they have
received from it. They know that it is only human to expect some kind of
recognition for what they are doing but do not hanker after getting
credit for it.
IMAGE OF ROTARY
There may be moments when they feel that all is not right with Rotary.
They may feel that there is 'politics' in Rotary. They know that there
are some elements in Rotary who should not be there. They, however, look
at the good aspects of Rotary. In public and outside Rotary, they
always make it a point to project the best face of Rotary. They would
not like to let the public image of Rotary get tarnished.
This article was first
written for Rotarians on the Internet
(ROTI) and has been published in over 150 Rotary club bulletins and
translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German and Thai
languages after being on the ROTI site of internet. Dr. Jagdish is a
charter member of ROTI.
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