I've been elected, now what?

You have been adopted into the great family of Rotary. Not only do you represent your classification to Rotary, but you are also an ambassador of Rotary to your business, craft, or profession. Rotary can not be adequately described or explained, but it is lived and felt. Rotary is a way of life. We believe, so you believe, that your life’s activity is an honorable and worthy one, and you will find Rotary a healthy and congenial influence, to which you are expected to contribute in fair measure.

 

Rotary is not a political organization, but all Rotarians everywhere are vitally concerned with all matters pertaining to good citizenship. As a good citizen, you will want to see good men and women in public office, and once they are there, they should be worthy of your loyalty and cooperation.

 

Rotary is not a charitable organization, but within its kind and comprehensive grasp will be found all the charity and all the sacrifices you would expect from men and women who believe that the Golden Rule is more than a mere theory.

 

Rotary is not a religious organization; it knows no race or creed. Rotary is inclusive of all faiths, religious traditions and will avoid any practice that might be deemed as excluding any person or group.  Yet behind it are all those eternal principles, which have made religion the vital influence that it has been on the destinies of men and women through the ages. Religion and denomination are man made but the love for God is very personal.

 

Rotary is an organization of business and professional men and women pledged to the highest business and professional standards. They are earnest people who believe, and whose lives should be run parallel with the belief, that the development of the sacred thing called character is the supreme achievement of life. They are men and women who believe that worldwide fellowship and international peace can be secured through an organization of business and professional men and women united under the banner of service.

 

On entering Rotary you will assume many obligations, but we believe you are a person who realizes that our responsibilities are the greatest gifts that God can give to many. Our Mottoes are "Service Above Self" and "He profits most who serves best." As already indicated to you, we believe that the Golden Rule is applicable even in these modern days of highly organized business and professional competition.

 

You will take these principles with you into your home and personal life; you will take them into your business life; into the relations between yourself and the men and women whom you employ; and more than that, you will take them into your business, professional, or craft organization, for you are a Rotary missionary, carrying the gospel of unselfish service to all with whom you may come in contact.