Rotary Club of Rome Orientation and Mentoring

Common Questions Asked

1. Where are the meetings held

Franklin Hotel

301 S. James St.

2 What entrance do we use?

Use the side door and go into the left part of the restaurant in the back of the building.

3 What time do we get there?

The actual time the meeting is called to order is noon. Many members arrive between 11:30-noon in order to socialize with other members.

4 How long does it last?

The meeting usually is over by 1:15 p.m.

5. How do I check in?

When you enter the back room of the restaurant, there usually are greeters at the

door (Kay or Donna). Hang up your coat, umbrella, etc. on the coat rack. Next, go up to the cashier to either:

a. Order food off of the menu

b. Order either the main meal served on buffet with your choice of soup or salad

for $10.00, which comes with coffee

c. Order just soup and salad for $7.00, which comes with coffee

d. Order only a drink ($1.75 for coffee) . . . And pay.

6. After the meal is purchased (if you want lunch)

Move to the left of the cashier.

a. There will be a wooden box with tickets in it.

It is for our 50/50 drawing. The purchase of the tickets is on a honor basis.

They cost $1.00 each. Rip off as many tickets as you want to purchase. Put

the money in the box. Leave the second part of the ticket in the box for the

the drawing. Keep the part the second half. The drawing will be later during the meeting.

b. After you purchase a 50/50 ticket, move to the left again.

There will be a paper that will ask if you brought any guests, if you visited any other Rotary clubs and if you have any make-ups.

b1. Check-In and Make-Ups

Check off your name on the form for attendance.

If you have done any community service, volunteered for any non-profits, worked on any community events or Rotary events, attended any meetings for the community, Rotary committee meetings or events, non-profits . . . board meetings . . . etc. (volunteer work only) -- if you are there for your job, then it is not a makeup).

This is where you would write down your name, the dates that you had makeups and what it was. Basically any volunteering counts. You have two weeks before and two weeks after to do any makeups

c. Here you will also find the suggestion box which allows and encourages you to provide comments, make suggestions, etc. You will also find membership sheets designed for you to propose possible candidates for membership. You simply provide the information and the membership committee does the rest.

d. Badges and Red Ribbons

Next you will find a box with all of the Rotarians’ name badges. Locate yours and put it on. You will notice that some badges have red ribbons attached to them. The red ribbon signifies that you are a new member and alerts existing members to greet and help you anyway they can. The red ribbon is also a way to become instantly more involved in Rotary. To have the ribbon removed, you will become involved in five areas of interest (your interest), and once completed, a ceremony celebrating your success and involvement will take place.

d1. You can refer to the organizational chart, which lists the activities and programs available to get involved in. In addition to those activities, you can also choose the following, which would count toward your five areas/forms of involvement:

-- to be one of the greeters at the Tuesday meeting a mininum of three weeks

-- to refer one company or individual to talk to our program chair

-- attend a meeting at another club

-- sit at a different table a minimum of three weeks’ worth

-- refer another individual to Rotary

-- attend the Thursday night meeting (a weekly alternative -- 5:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge

-- attend a board meeting

7. Where do I sit?

In the beginning of your membership, it is a good idea to sit with your mentor or sponsor for a month or two. They will be able to answer any of your questions. If you want to sit with someone that you know, feel free to move about the place. You are welcome to sit anywhere (and encouraged under the Red Ribbon Program. It is the best way to meet new people and feel comfortable.

8. What does it mean to have the meeting called to order?

The president will ring the bell and that tells all of the members to stand up. Someone will have the task of choosing a song for everyone to sing, often with song books or sheets provided. Everyone will then recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Someone will be tasked to say the prayer. The president will then invite everyone to enjoy their lunch. You will have about 10-15 minutes to socialize again, get your food if you haven’t yet and sit down to eat.

9. What is next?

Around 12:15, the president will choose someone to pass the fine basket to each table and make announcements.

A. Every member will put in their “fines” and usually it is a dollar. Each member will speak as to what the dollar is for such as: for the troops, for the good of the order, for a specific person or event, etc. Sometimes it will be for a missed meeting or for being late.

B. The president will then ask members if there are any announcements. Often members have notified the president ahead of time the need for an announcement. It could be about an event that is coming up; they may be seeking volunteers for something; they may be asking for donations, etc. If you want to say anything, and you haven’t indicated so prior to the meeting, just raise your hand.

10. Program

We usually will have a guest speaker. Either an individual or organization will talk about themselves or a company or an event. Typically the program portion runs about a half hour.

11. What happends at the end of the meeting?

We recite the Rotary Four Way Test which is located on the Rotary Flag at the front of the room.

12. Member Responsibilities

A. Attend meetings

B. Join a committee

C. Wear your badge at meetings

D. Try to get more people to come to a Rotary meeting

13. Rotarian Events or Projects

There are many projects that we do in Rotary. We are going to try and put descriptions of each project together. This will include locatioin, date, time, number of volunteers needed, how much time is involved. Until then, look at the organizational chart in your orientation package. It lists the name of the project and who is the project leader. We would like every member to pick at least one event to participate in. Many of the members help on several committees and you are always welcome to join as many as you would like. If you would like more information about a certain project, you can ask the project manager, your sponsor, your mentor or any other member. A roster of all Rotary members is available at our website to help you familiarize yourself with names and faces as well as provide you will necessary contact information.