August Hioco, governor of District 5230 (California, USA), has made the Avenue of Vocational Service the cornerstone of his year in office, and he encourages all clubs to give Rotarians the opportunity to network and do business with one another. As the global economic crisis deepens, Hioco believes there is no better time for clubs to rediscover this avenue. He has collaborated with Past District Governor Mary Margaret Fleming on Back to the Basics: Rotary 1905, a tool kit that explores vocational service. Download a PDF version from the District 5230 Web site.

Use Leadership Development: Your Guide to Starting a Program (250) to groom future club officers and help them advance professionally. The handbook offers guidelines for creating a leadership development program at the club level, covering topics such as communication skills, goal setting and accountability, leadership styles, ethics, and mentoring. Consider creating a program as part of a vocational service project, and open it to the community as a way to attract future club members. Though the program is optional, the benefits to your club are indispensable.