The Rotary Club of Eden Prairie

Rotary Club of Eden Prairie (AM)

MEMBER HANDBOOK

(Board Approved 11-19-13)

Welcome to the greatest non-profit organization in the world, Rotary! We are so glad you have joined our Rotary Club of Eden Prairie AM to help make a personal difference locally and globally!

TOPIC PAGE

Welcome and Overview of Rotary’s Purpose………………………………….1
History of Rotary International, District 5950 and Eden Prairie AM Rotary ………2
Membership
Benefits and Expectations …………………………………………………...3
Membership Process ………………………………………………………3
Meeting Format ……………………………………………………………..4
Attendance Requirement and Makeup Options ……………………….5
Club Operations
Board of Directors and Duties …………………………………………… 7
Budget & Funding Process ……………………………………………… 8
Lines of Service (Rotary Motto: “Service above Self”)
Club Administration…………………………...... 9
Public Relations ...... 10
Membership………………...... ………………...... 11
Service Projects………………...... ……………….. 12
Vocational Service/ New Generations……………………………………. 13
The Rotary Foundation and International Service ………………...…… 15
Past EP AM Rotary Presidents …………………………………………………….17
Major Efforts throughout the Years...... 17

Rotary is an organization of business and professional men and women united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. (Rotary is a non-religious, non- political organization.)

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

• The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

• High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his or her occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

• The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his or her personal, business and community life;

• The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional men and women united in the ideal of service.

THE FOUR WAY TEST…..of the things we think, say and do...

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

A Brief History of Rotary International by Dean Edstrom

Rotary International was founded in 1905 when four men began meeting in the office of a Chicago attorney, Paul P. Harris. The name “Rotary” was adopted because the meetings of the group “rotated” among the places of business of the members.

With these small beginnings, the Rotary group grew, adopted projects benefiting the Chicago community and extended the idea of Rotary to other locations. By 1910, the Minneapolis and St. Paul Rotary Clubs became the 9th and 10th clubs in Rotary. In 1911 Rotary became international with establishment in Winnipeg, Canada. Shortly thereafter, Rotary rapidly spread around the world. This great international organization now boasts over 1.2 Million members in 33,000 clubs located in over 200 countries and geographical areas. In February 2010 Minneapolis Club #9 and St. Paul Club #10 celebrated 100 years of service.

Rotarians everywhere are united by the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self”.

For more information about Rotary International, visit the website: and you can visit the learning site at

District 5950 Organization

Rotary International governs and communicates with Rotarians throughout the world through a network of Districts. The Eden Prairie Club is one of65 clubs in Rotary District 5950 (which is one of 5,290 Districts worldwide). Districts are administered by a District Governor, other District officers, committees, and a permanent paid executive secretary, assisting the Governor and staff.

A District Governor must first have served as a Club President prior to being selected to serve as Governor. The District responsibility is primarily to see that clubs within its administration are informed of Rotary International objectives and participate as much as possible in International and District-wide events. The District has the responsibility for training and indoctrination of in coming and present club officers. Members are encouraged to serve on the District staff to further their understanding of Rotary.

A more complete summary of District organization can be found in the District 5950 Directory published annually by the District Governor and distributed to the clubs through the Club President, or on-line at:

Eden Prairie A.M. Rotary Club History:

The Club was officially chartered on June 15, 1976. The District Governor’s Special Representative Don Brauer of Edina and sponsoring club representatives Dr. John Wright of Hopkins and M.E. “Skip” Lane of Edina found 31 business and professional men in Eden Prairie who became the charter members of the club. The club first met at a restaurant in Powers Dept. Store, then to Mr. Steak for a few years (now the location of Buca’s), and in 1985 to Castle Ridge Nursing Home for a short stay, then on to Flagship Athletic Club for about ten years. When Flagship remodeled in 1997, the club moved temporarily to St. Andrews Lutheran Church and then on to Bearpath Country Club for several years. In 2005 the club moved to our present location, Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano in the Eden Prairie regional shopping mall.

The Club has produced one District Governor, Dean Edstrom, and two Assistant District Governors,Jerry McCoy (2005-06) and Irene Kelly (2011-12).

A list of former Club Presidents and their year of service (with major service projects over the past years) is included near the back of this handbook.Working together, the group helped found the Eden Prairie CommunityFoundation, the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention fund, and many community supports that are still here today.

Club Roster

The club publishes a list of its members with join date and classification which is given to new members.Additional information, including photos, addresses, businesses, phone and fax numbers, is available to members online at Members are provided password-protected access to the ClubRunner site where additional information is kept about members, committees, projects, etc.

Benefits and Expectations

BENEFITS: Current members shared what they see as values of being a Rotarian:

I am constantly awed by being part of a global organization that has such significant impact in the world and MY community. I also treasure the relationships I have built and the opportunity to be in relationship (and work) with others who have a heart for community & world improvement.
Fellowship, keeping abreast of what's happening in our community, getting to know community and business leaders.
An opportunity to meet weekly with community leaders and business leaders. Opportunities to serve our local community and the world community. Timely and informative programs.
We're a great group of people with a common vision of action and stewardship towards the greater good.
By giving of ourselves... we receive much more than we give. Rotary is a great group of people and we can have fun while we are doing.
Connecting with the community in a way not accessible to the average person, Service opportunities.
Making a difference in the world in excess of what I could do on my own

EXPECTATIONS:

Regular attendance at meetings: The minimum attendance requirement to maintain active status in Rotary International is 50 percent. Also, an active Rotarian may not miss four consecutive meetings. However, a Rotarian may make-up a missed meeting by attending any one of the 33,000 weekly Rotary Club meetings around the world, including online forums as well. A meeting makeup will also be granted for participation in various Club and District opportunities, as further outlined in the Club Section. (See makeup options in the website or the weekly bulletin.)
Involvement in at least one line of service. (See options by line of service later in handbook),
Payment of dues and meal costs which will be billed quarterly plus other options listed on Estimated Membership Costs (on website and listed in appendix)
Contribution to the Rotary Foundation each year. The amount you select is entirely up to you.

Prospective Member Process orNew Member Recruitment Procedure & Classifications:

In order to join the Eden Prairie Rotary Club, a candidate for membership must be approved by the Board of Directors. A prospective member is invited to attend a meeting as a guest of the club at which time they are given a “Prospective Member Packet”. If there is interest on the part of the prospect to become a member, he/she attends three subsequent meetings as our guest. The purpose of the four get-acquainted meetings is to give the prospective member an opportunity to experience Rotary before actually joining.

If the prospect would like to become a member, he/she is invited to complete amember profile application after the third attendance.Applications may be obtained from the clubwebsite: rotary.org. The completed profile with sponsor form is submittedto the Club Executive Secretarywhoemails it to the Board for approval at their regular meeting on the third Tuesday of the month.

The motion for approval should contain a recommended vocational classification. It is the general recommended policy of Rotary International not to have more than 10% of the club’s active members with the same vocational classification in order to maintain the Rotary Club as a balanced cross section of the business community. Upon approval by the Board, the candidate is invited to join Rotary and an induction ceremony is scheduled during a regular meeting. Meals and dues are billed to the new member quarterly.

Membership Types

Active:

Any person possessing the qualifications set forth in the Rotary Constitution may be elected to active membership. Members should be adult persons of good character and good business, professional and/or community reputation,

(1)engaged as a proprietor, partner, corporate officer, or manager of any worthy and recognized business or profession; or

(2)holding any important position in any worthy and recognized business or profession or any branch or agency thereof and have executive capacity with discretionary authority; or

(3)having retired from any position listed in sub-subsection (1) or (2) of this subsection; or

(4)being a community leader who has demonstrated through personal involvement in community affairs a commitment to service and the Object of Rotary; or

(5) having the status of Rotary Foundation alumnus as defined by the board

And

having his or her place of business or residence located in the locality of the club or the surrounding area. An active member moving from the locality of the club or the surrounding area may retain membership in the club where the member’s board grants such permission and said active member continues to meet all conditions of club membership.

Honorary Member:

A person who distinguishes him or herself by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals and those person considered friends of Rotary for their permanent support of Rotary’s cause may be elected to honorary membership of a club. The honorary member is exempt from paying dues and attendance requirements and cannot vote or hold office. Such members do not hold classifications, but will be entitled to attend all meetings and enjoy all the other privileges of this club. Honorary membership terminates each year on June 30 but may, by resolution, be continued from year to year.

Senior Active:

Active members can become senior active members when their age plus their years of membership (in one or more clubs) is equal to 85 years or more. At that time, their attendance is excused and they are only asked to pay quarterly dues plus the costs of meals for the meetings they attend.

Such member must notify the Club Secretary in writing regarding the desire to be excused and receive Board approval. Senior active members do not hold a classification.

Corporate Membership:

In Oct, 2013, the Board approved a corporate membership that will be piloted with up to 3 businesses this year and then re-evaluated. Key differences are that:

A corporation may become an EPAM Rotary Member with the same status each of us holds as individual members;
Corporate Members will go through the same Club Board approval process as individuals;
One Primary Voting Member will be selected by the corporation;
Additionally, up to three Alternate Members (from that corporation) will be selected to attend meetings when the Primary Member is absent or whenever the Corporation deems it advisable;
Attendance requirements will be at 75% for meetings and makeup credits.
Only the name of the Primary Voting Member will be counted on our EPAMRC roster.
Club communications will go to all Primary and Alternate Members … allowing us to network with many more people;
Alternate members will be encouraged to participated in at least one committee and contribute to the Rotary Foundation.
The Corporation will be billed for at least one weekly breakfast ($13) plus additional breakfasts if there is more than one attendee from that Corporation Member;
Corporation dues will be the same as individuals which is $55 per quarter ($220 annually).

Meeting Format

7:00-7:10 Members who are assigned to be greeters or sergeant-at-arms (who staff the check-in table) arrive by 7:10 am. to prepare for members’ arrivals.

7:10-7:30 Members arrive, get their badges, check in, choose if they will purchase raffle ticket(s), get food from the buffet, and find a place to sit where they can meet and talk with different Rotarians weekly.

7:30-7:40 Members enjoy breakfast and sharing on a personal level with others at their table

7:40-8:30 Club president calls the meeting to order

People stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation is offered by a club member*
Everyone recites the Four-Way Test (which is posted on a screen for all to see)
”Sergeant at arms” member* announces who is visiting the meeting
Announcements are shared by the president and/or members who requested
New members are inducted and/or High School team captains are introduced
One club member gives a ”vocational” about his/her life*
The main speaker is introduced by the president, program chair, or another member and presents for between 20-30 minutes before taking questions.
A raffle item donated by a member* is given away to a lucky raffle ticket buyer.

*Club members are assigned to various duties on a rotated basis (once a year or less) and they are asked to switch turns with another member if they will be gone when assigned.

Attendance and Makeup Meetings

Benefits of Attendance

Fosters fellowship among club members.
Provides opportunities to meet new people and reconnect with long-time friends.
Keeps you current on club, district and Rotary International news and events.

Attendance Requirements

As explained in the Standard Rotary Club Constitution, each member needs to meet the following requirements:

Attend or make up at least 50% of your Rotary Club meetings in each half of the year.
Attend at least 30% of your club’s meetings in each half of the year. For example, if your Club holds 26 regular weekly meetings in 6 months, you must attend at least 8 meetings.
A member may not miss or fail to make up four consecutive meetings.
You should be present for at least 60% of a club’s meeting for it to count towards the attendance requirement. For example, you would need to be present for at least 36 minutes of a 60 minute meeting.

NOTE: Club members with 100% attendance on an annual basis will be recognized by the club for their achievement.

Attendance Credit/ Make-up Meetings

There are many ways that you can still receive attendance credit if you cannot attend your club meeting. Attendance credit may be given to a member who misses a club meeting if, within 60 days before or after the missed meeting, the member meets one of the following conditionsand reports it to the club secretary:

1.Attend at least 60% of the regular meeting of another Rotary Club or a provisional Rotary Club. Or, is present at the usual time and place of another club’s regular meeting and that club is not meeting. You can make up at any of the 29,000 weekly Rotary Club meetings being held throughout the world, which allows you to:

Meet a new group of Rotarians.
Observe how another club operates.
Share information about your club.

To find another club, use the Rotary’s on-line “Club Locator” ( or Club Runner. Be sure to ask the club secretary of the visited club to sign a make-up card or note as proof of your attendance. A signed document ensures that your club gives you either a service credit (for attendance) or a meal credit (if you paid for a meal while attending.)

When attending a Rotary Club meeting outside of District 5950, it is traditional that a member exchanges a club flag with the host club. Members can obtain a flag from the Sergeant at Arms or President. Members bringing back a flag may add them to the Club’s collection which is displayed periodically.

2. Attend a meeting of a Rotaract or Interact Club, Rotary Community Corps, or Rotary Fellowship

Making up your meeting with a Rotaract Club, Interact Club, Rotary Community Corps, or Rotary Fellowship is a great way to explore and find out about these programs. To locate these meetings you can contact your:

a. Club leaders

b. District Rotaract Committee Chair

c. District Interact Committee Chair

d. District Rotary Community Corps Committee Chair

e. District Rotary Fellowship Committee Chair

3. You can also make-up meetings at one of the following district or RI meetings.

a. District Conference

b. District Assembly

c. District Committee meeting (at the request of the District Governor)

d. RI Committee Meeting

e. RI Convention

f. Rotary Institute

4. Participation in club-sponsored event or service project is a great way to support the service work of your club and make-up a meeting. Check with your club Secretary to see if these or other Club events may count as make-ups:

a. Club service project(such as Meals on Wheels, Park Cleanup, STRIVE, Bulletin writing, etc.)

b. Club sponsored community event

c. Other meetings or events as authorized by the Club Board