An association of some 31,000 autonomous clubs in 166 countries, Rotary International is one of the world's largest service organizations. The goal for a club's membership is an up-to-date and progressive representation of the community's business, vocational, and professional interests.

Membership is vital to the club operations and community service activities and a primary objective is to continually expand the club with committed members who have the interest and ability to get involved in service and humanitarian projects. Prospective members must:

• hold, or be retired from a professional, proprietary, executive, or managerial position;

• have the capacity to meet the club's weekly attendance or community project participation requirements;

• live or work within the locality of the club or the surrounding area.

An important distinction between Rotary and other organisations is that membership in Rotary is by invitation only. If you are interested in membership of the Rotary Club of Busan Tongbaek, but do know any of our club members please contact us.

Often a person being considered for membership is invited by a member (the sponsor) to attend one or more club meetings to learn more about Rotary. The sponsor may then submit the name of the candidate to the club's membership committee. The memberships application will the be processed in accordance with the Club Constitution and Bylaws.

An introduction to Rotary for new and prospective members is included below.

Introduction to Rotary for new or prospective members.

The narrative below is an introduction to Rotary for new or prospective members.

1. Introduction.

   The purpose of this document is:

   • To give you, a proposed member, a bird's eye view of Rotary.
   • To let you know what you may expect of your membership.
   • To let you know what our club will expect of you as a member.

   • To answer any questions you might have about Rotary in general and our club in particular.

2. Rotary is an International Organisation.

   The first Rotary club was organised in Chicago in 1905 by Paul P. Harris. This club met in rotation at the offices of its members, thus the name Rotary. There are now more than 31,000 Rotary Clubs with a total Rotary membership of over 1.2 million men and women. As a Rotarian, you will be a member of the Rotary Club of Busan Tongbaek, which in turn is a member of Rotary International District 3660.

   The free world is divided into territories within which a group of clubs are associated. These territories are known as Rotary Districts. There are 502 districts in the Rotary world (166 countries).

3. Our Rotary Club.

   Each year we elect our officers. These officers conduct the general business of the Club. Our President, with the approval of the Board or Directors, make committee appointments based on Four Avenues of Service as follows:

   • Club Service
   • Community Service
   • Vocational Service and
   • International Service.

   Each Rotarian is expected to participate in one of the Avenues of Service.

4. Object of Rotary.

   The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster the following:

   • FIRST: The development of acquaintances 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 by each Rotarian of their occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
   • THIRD: The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to their personal, business and community life.

   • FOURTH: The advancement of International understanding, goodwill and peace though a world fellowship of business and professional people united in the ideal of service.

5. The Four Avenues of Service.

   We implement the 'Object of Rotary' through the Four Avenues of Service.

   Club Service

   The following committees are directed toward the internal functioning of the Club to maintain its heath and vigour.

   • Attendance.
   • Rotary information.
   • Protocol.
   • Classification.
   • Membership growth.
   • Membership development.
   • Club Bulletin.
   • Programs.
   • Fellowship activities,
   • Public relations.
   • Ways and means.
   • Assimilation,

   Vocational Service

   • Promotion of the ideal of service.
   • Adherence to and promotion of the highest ethical standards in all occupations.
   • Recognition of the worthiness to society of all useful occupations.
   • Contribution of one's vocational talents to the problems and needs of society.
   • Career development.
   • Vocational awareness.
   • Vocation at work.
   • Vocational awards.

   Community Service

   • A club effort to improve the quality of life within the community.
   • Community development.
   • Community projects.
   • Community grants.
   • Environmental protection.

   International Service

   The promotion of many efforts to advance understanding, goodwill and the quality of life throughout the world.

   • International youth projects.
   • World Fellowship activities.
   • Rotary Foundation.

   • World community service.

6. The Rotary Foundation.

   The goal of the Foundation is to further understanding and friendly relations among the world's people by funding education and humanitarian programs including:

   • Ambassadorial scholarships.
   • Matching grants.
   • Group Study Exchange.
   • Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) grants.
   • Rotary grants for University teachers to study in developing countries.
   • Grants for Rotary volunteers.
   • Polio Plus program.
   • Rotary peace programs.
   • World Community Service (WCS).

   Several of these programs send scholars and volunteer workers abroad to study, learn about other cultures, offer assistance and promote goodwill within a host country.

7. 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 ?

8. Your privileges in Rotary.

   1. The privilege of friendship with leaders:

      • in your community.
      • in neighbouring cities.
      • all over the Philippines.
      • all over the world.
   2. The privilege of giving service to your community.
   3. The privilege of developing international goodwill and understanding.

   4. The privilege of helping build higher ethical standards with your vocation.

9. Your Obligations in Rotary.

   Participation

   To be a Rotarian you must give your time and talents to the following:

   • in community work;
   • in Social functions; and
   • in Club and District activities.

   Attendance

   Attendance is urged and honoured in Rotary. To achieve this goal:

   • attend each weekly meeting of our Club.

   • make up at another Rotary Club within 14 days before or after a missed meeting of our Club.

   • Attend a District Institute, Assembly or Conference or a Rotary International Convention.
   • Attend 100% of our meetings! Stay for 100% of each meeting.

   Rotary Attendance Rules

   • Must be in attendance at least 60% of a meeting to receive credit.
   • Must attend or make up at least 60% of the regular meetings of the Club.
   • Must attend at least 30% of the regular meetings of the Club.
   • Failure to attend or make up four consecutive meetings automatically terminates membership.
   • Attendance percentages are calculated for the 6 month periods ending December 31st and June 30th.

   Make up

   The time for making up a missed meeting is any two weeks prior to or after the missed meeting.

   Make ups can be made up by:

   • Attending at least 60% of the regular meetings of another Club or provisional Club.
   • Attending, at the direction of the Club, a regular meeting of a Rotaract or Interact club or provisional Rotaract or Interact club..

   • Attending a Convention of Rotary International, or selected other international, regional or district conferences or assemblies.

10. Your Financial Obligations.

    • Entrance fee: US$ 200.

    • Annual dues: 800,000 Korean Won.
    • Fines and Raffles (Estimate per annum): 200,000 Korean Won.
    • Social events (Estimate per annum): 200,000 Korean Won.
    • Rotary Foundation contribution US$100 - US$1000. (whilst this is strictly voluntary, we encourage members to contribute).

    • The Rotary fiscal year runs from July 1st though to June 30th.

11. How YOU were (or will be) chosen as a Member of Rotary.

    1. A member of this Rotary Club sponsored your membership.

    2. Our Classification Committee verified your occupation and agreed:
       • that you hold an important position in your firm.
       • that you are an outstanding leader in your vocation.
       • that the classification being loaned to you was open.
    3. Our Membership Committee verified your personal reputation both in your business and in the community.
    4. Our Board of Directors approved your proposed Rotary membership.

    5. Our entire membership also approved YOU as a new Rotarian.

12. Types of Membership.

    There are four types of membership in a Rotary Club as outlined below:

    1. Active or Additional Active: Members selected for their leadership in the business or profession for which they are classifies
    2. Senior Active: Former active member who automatically becomes Senior Active in one of the following ways:
       • Active in one or more Rotary clubs for at least 15 years.
       • At least 60 years of age with at least 10 years active membership.
       • At least 65 years of age with 5 or more years of active membership.
       • Being present or past officers of Rotary International.
    3. Past Service: Members who have retired and have held active membership for at least three years but not yet eligible for senior active.

    4. Honorary: Non-voting members elected because of distinguished service in furthering Rotary ideals. Ineligible to hold office, they must be re-elected annually for membership.

13. Rotary Publications.

    Rotary International publishes a monthly newsletter called "The Rotarian". It is well worth reading and contains News of Rotary around the world and other interesting articles by outstanding writers on a variety of important subjects.

    Our District 3660 publishes a monthly newsletter, In addition our Rotary Club furnishes you with its weekly Club bulletin " The Tongbaek" which reports the weekly news of our members and Club activities.

    Each year, Rotary International provides each Club an order catalogue containing a list of publications, audiovisual programs and supplies, some of which are gratis. You may inquire through the Club Secretary.