New Members

Potential New Members

For membership enquiries please contact the Membership Director, Malcolm Chiverton who can be contacted by Email or by writing to Malcolm at Rotary Club of Box Hill Central, PO Box 631, Box Hill, Victoria 3128.

Access the Rotary International Website for detailed information about Rotary.
In particular, read about The Rotary Foundation one of the world's largest charitable foundations. Its mission is to support the efforts of Rotary International in the fulfilment of the Object of Rotary, Rotary's mission, and the achievement of world understanding and peace through local, national, and international humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs.

Rotary Foundation's program Polio Plus started in 1985 to Eradicate Polio in the World has been one of the most ambitious humanitarian programs ever undertaken by a private-sector organisation.

By 2007 Rotary's contribution to the eradication effort exceeded US$630 million.
On 26 November 2007, RI and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged US$200 million towards the fight for eradication.

Access our Rotary District website for useful information about Rotary locally.

Look at complete lists of meetings / guest speakers going back to January 2002 and read critiques of those meetings selected, together with details of other club activities occurring at that time. This will give you a feel for the character of our very special Rotary Club of which we are very proud. We are very inclusive - partners and children are welcome at all of our meetings.

Why join Rotary?

(This section contains modified copy from the award winning website of the
Rotary Club of Surrey Guildford in Surrey, BC, Canada and we are grateful
for their kind permission to reproduce it here. KR, Webmaster 25/10/03)

Here are 20 reasons :

1. Friendship
In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. It is one of two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.

2. Business Development
The second original reason for Rotary's beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other.

3. Personal Growth and Development
Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and education in human relations and personal development.

4. Leadership Development
Rotary is an organisation of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership: learning how to motivate, influence and lead leaders. In addition, top quality leadership training is provided within the organisation.

5. Citizenship in the Community
Membership in a Rotary club makes one a better community citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the most active citizens of any community.

6. Continuing Education
Each week at Rotary there is a program designed to keep one informed about what is going on in the community, nation and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different speakers address a variety of timely topics.

7. Fun
Rotary is fun, a lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. Club projects are fun. Social activities are fun. Service is fun.

8. Public Speaking Skills
Many individuals who joined Rotary were afraid to speak in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communication and the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.

9. Citizenship in the World
Every Rotarian wears a pin that says "Rotary International". There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club. Every Rotarian is welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of the almost 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographic regions. This means instant friends and business connections both in one's own community and in the world community.

10. Assistance when Travelling
Because there are Rotary clubs everywhere, many a Rotarian in need of a doctor, lawyer, hotel, dentist, advice, etc. while travelling, has found assistance through Rotary. This same type of support is also available to Rotarians' family members who may be travelling.

11. Entertainment
Every Rotary club and district has parties and activities that provide diversion in one's business life. Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies and institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education and service.

12. Development of Social Skills
Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops one's personality, social skills and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people.

13. Family and Youth Programs
Rotary provides one of the world's largest youth exchange programs; Interact and Rotaract clubs for future Rotarians; many other programs to enhance leadership skills in young people such as RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) and RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment); opportunities for spouse involvement; and a host of activities designed to help family members in growth and the development of family values.

14. Vocational Skills
Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth and development of his or her own profession or vocation, to serve on committees, and to teach youth about one's job or vocation. Rotary helps to make one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, business owner, manager, etc.

15. Development of Ethics
Rotarians practice The 4-Way Test that governs their ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships.

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER RELATIONSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

16. Cultural Awareness
Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, colour and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. It is a cross section of the world's most prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians become aware of their cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere. They become better citizens of their countries in the process.

17. Prestige
Many Rotary members are prominent people who are leaders of business, professions, art, government, sports, military, religion and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers, professionals - people who make decisions and influence policy.

18. Nice People
Rotarians above all are nice people - the nicest people on the face of the earth. They are important people who follow the policy of "it is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice."

19. Absence of an "Official Creed"
Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meeting or rituals. It is an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping others.

20. Opportunity to Serve
Rotary is a service club. Its business is mankind. Its product is service. Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else; to sense the self-fulfilment that comes in the process; and the return of that satisfaction to one's own life. It is richly rewarding.

Are you considering applying to join a Rotary Club? If yes, but our Wednesday morning breakfast club does not suit you, we suggest you use this link to the appropriate section of our Rotary District Website, and contact another local club which meets at a time that is more suited to you.

Our Rotary Club sounds eminently suitable? Yes. Wonderful.

As already stated, we are a breakfast club and generally meet every Wednesday morning at Box Hill Golf Club (Melways 61D3) at 7.15 for 7.30am start, finishing promptly at 8.30am. From time to time (perhaps once a quarter), as an alternative, we have a special Dinner meeting, generally on a Wednesday evening.

The following list is intended to provide you with a realistic 'checklist' to make at least a preliminary assessment of how well our organisation and our Club could meet your expectations and needs.

Please contact us any time if you would like to discuss this further!

You should consider applying to join our Rotary Club if ...

- You are a business owner, a self-employed professional or a senior level manager within a corporation or organisation.

- You are a community-minded individual who is seeking an opportunity to make use of your skills and contacts to be of service to others - both locally and internationally.

- You will make every effort to achieve an attendance level of 50% - including make-ups, which are achieved by attending meetings at other Rotary Clubs and certain other Rotary commitments in lieu. Without impinging too much on their personal life, most club members achieve attendance statistics in excess of 80%.

- You understand and accept that your membership and participation will require payment of Club dues (at present $260 per annum July to June; pro-rata @ $22 per month for new members and which covers Rotary International and local Rotary District contributions and monthly magazine subscription), weekly breakfasts - presently $15, attending occasional Rotary events beyond our Club, and supporting some of our fundraising efforts.

(Attendance at the annual weekend District Conference at a different location each year, either intrastate or interstate, is not obligatory, but is a wonderful educational opportunity and social gathering for local Rotarians and their partners. It generally costs somewhere in the region of $1000 to $1500 per couple, including fares or car expenses, accommodation, registration and entertainment.)

- You are intrigued by the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with a group
of like-minded individuals to make good things happen for people who need a helping hand.

- You value the opportunity to expand your business network.

THE OBJECTS OF ROTARY

To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business and community life;

FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through the world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

THE FOUR WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER RELATIONSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?