Welcome
to Stratford Rotary
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Rotary International
You are joining with about 1.2 million Rotarians who belong to more than 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 160 countries and geographical areas worldwide. Rotary was founded in 1905 in Chicago by Paul Harris and three other businessmen. The group promoted fellowship among a diverse array of business leaders in the community. Today, Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Through Rotary's service programs, a Rotary club can have a significant effect on the quality of life in its community.
Rotary
is based on the Four Way Test:
Of the things we think, say or 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?
Rotary Club of Stratford
Sponsored by the Winston-Salem Rotary Club, The Rotary Club of Stratford was chartered June 21, 1968, becoming the second Rotary Club in Winston-Salem. Current membership includes approximately 155 business and professional leaders throughout Winston-Salem.
Attendance: The Rotary Club of Stratford meets at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Forsyth Country Club, with a few exceptions because of holidays or conflicting events. These exceptions are announced in the bulletin and website well in advance. You are expected to attend regularly, for the entire meeting including the program unless a legitimate conflict occurs, with a minimum of 60% or 32 times a year. If you miss a meeting, you may make it up by visiting another club (anywhere in the world), or attending a Stratford Rotary Board Meeting within two weeks of the missed meeting.
There are three other Rotary Clubs in Forsyth County which reciprocate with our club (so that you do not have to pay for the meal – just sign in):
- The Winston-Salem Club meets at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Benton Convention Center.
- The Reynolda Club meets at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the LJVM Coliseum.
- The Clemmons Club meets at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Ramada Inn – Clemmons.
Visiting Other Clubs: There are Rotary Clubs in most cities in the U.S. and abroad. If you are traveling, look for a Rotary Club to visit. You may take a Stratford Rotary flag to exchange with the club you visit. There is a national directory listing the meeting times and locations for other Rotary clubs on the sign-in table each week or you may visit the Rotary International website at www.rotary.org and use the Club Locator link in the upper right-hand corner.
Dues:
Club dues are currently $170 per quarter, payable in advance. This may
change as meal costs or other expenses change. There is also a benevolence
contribution of $75 per quarter (explained below), resulting in a total
expense of $245 per quarter. Until you become a Paul Harris Fellow (also explained below), there will also be a $100 per quarter contribution to the Rotary Foundation. New members pay a $100 initiation fee; they and a guest may attend their first social free.
Benevolence: You will be billed $75 quarterly ($300 a year) for Benevolence. This contribution is split: $100/year to the Rotary Foundation to establish your Paul Harris Fellowship or continue your sustaining membership and $200/year to the local club benevolence activities, which include our work with Kimberley Park Elementary School, international projects, local academic and enrichment scholarships and support for local charitable activities. This can be a charitable contribution for tax purposes.
Each Rotarian is also expected to become a Paul Harris Fellow by contributing $1000 to the Rotary Foundation within the first two years of membership. You can pay that at one time or by assessment of an additional $100 per quarter (which, added to $200 included in the two years of regular benevolence payments, will total $1000). Once you become a Paul Harris Fellow, you may honor another person by making them a Paul Harris Fellow for each additional $1000 you contribute. If you would like to contribute more than the minimum $100 a year, speak to Margaret Warren, the club secretary.
You may also participate in occasional raffles or other fundraising activities which raise funds for the Outstanding Stratford Rotarian Award, which is given each year at the spring social, or for special projects. Participation is completely voluntary.
Socials: The Club sponsors a Holiday Social in December and a Spring Social in May. The club subsidizes these to keep the cost very reasonable. Attendance at one of these functions counts as a regular meeting. Members are also encouraged to bring their spouse or guest to the Valentine program in February. A new member and their guest will attend the first social free of charge. The club subsidizes some of the cost of socials, and you will be billed for the rest of the cost.
Sergeant-at-Arms: Each new member is asked to be Sergeant-at-Arms for a month shortly after joining. This gives you a chance to meet the members and have them meet you. Your duties include checking to see that the speaker has whatever he or she needs and that the microphone is working, and giving the attendance report near the beginning of the meeting. The club secretary will assist you with this.
Board of Directors: The Board of Directors is elected annually in December to take office at the first meeting in July. The Board meets at 11:45 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings are open and all members are invited to attend. Attendance at Board meetings constitutes a “make-up” meeting for attendance requirements. New members may attend a Board Meeting within three months of induction as part of the orientation process.
Committee Assignments: Every member is encouraged to serve on a committee. You can volunteer by contacting any officer or by mentioning your interest to the executive secretary. Current committees include Program, Benevolence, Invocation, Attendance, International Project, Membership, Fellowship, Youth Activities, Scholarship, The Family of Rotary and others.
Guests: You may bring family members, colleagues, or prospective members. You will be charged the meal price (currently $13.50) for each guest on your next quarterly bill. If the guest is a prospective new member, the club will pay for the first visit.
Sponsoring new members: You are encouraged to sponsor new members, particularly those who will increase the diversity of the club in ethnicity, gender, age, and type of business or profession.
Getting
Information
Bulletin: The Stratford Rotary Bulletin is mailed or emailed to you biweekly.
Please tell the secretary which delivery method you prefer.
Website: www.stratfordrotary.org includes meeting topics for our club and other local clubs, announcements of activities, the membership directory, club bulletins, and links to District 7690 and Rotary International websites. Note that your directory information (name, business name, address, and phone, email, home address and phone) will be included unless you specifically request that any of the information not be posted.
Updated 5/03
