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Service Above Self

Rotary is proud to welcome you to our global community of more than 1.4 million men and women in 46,000+ clubs dedicated to building a better world. By adding your skills, experience, and enthusiasm to the Rotary Club of Carbondale, you can make a positive impact in our community, and beyond!
 
Through the Rotary community, you can exchange ideas and build lifelong friendships with like-minded people. Take advantage of the resources and activities available through your club, district, and Rotary International to make your experience with Rotary both rewarding and fun.
 
Founded in 1905 (Rotary History), Rotarians are engaged citizens, business and professional leaders who take an active role in their communities while greatly enriching their personal and professional lives.
 

Organization

 
With 1.4 million members worldwide, Rotary has a formal organizational structure which enables it to meet its goals.  Given the sheer size of the organization, the structure and number of positions can be complex and confusing.  Here is a thumbnail sketch, along with links allowing you take a deep dive:
  1. Rotary and Rotaract Clubs unite people to exchange ideas, build relationships, and take action.  More Info
    • Zones - The Rotary world-wide organization is divided into 34 zones (10 in North America).  Map  Our zone is called the Big West Zone (26) and is administered along with zone 27 Website  It has an organizational structure including director, coordinators, and advisors Organization   
    • District - Our Rotary District 5470 Website is one of approximately 15 districts in Zone 26. The District Governor leads the organization which like the Zones has executives, officers, directors, and committees Organization  Our district is broken into 17 areas, each of which has a District Assistant Governor assigned to coordinate communications and activities across the area clubs.  We are part of Area 15 which also includes the Aspen, Mt. Sopris, and Snowmass Village clubs. 
    • Club - Our Club has a President, Secretary, Treasurer, several Board members, a President Elect, a President Elect Nominee, as well as several committees with chairpersons. The Club’s current executives and directors can be found here.  See below for more detail on our committees.
  2. Rotary International supports clubs worldwide by coordinating global programs and initiatives.  More Info 
    • The Board of Directors establishes policy and provides guidance to help clubs thrive. Members 
    • The Rotary International Committees help ensure clubs and districts perform efficiently. All RI committees promote the priorities and goals of Rotary’s strategic plan.Committees
  3. The Rotary Foundation helps fund humanitarian activities from local services projects to global initiatives.  More Info 
    • The Board of Trustees manages the business of The Rotary Foundation, the charitable arm of our organization that funds service activities. The RI president-elect nominates the trustees, who are elected by the RI Board to four-year terms.Trustees
    • Global Grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes. More Info
    • District Grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address community needs through the clubs. More Info

Committees - The Heart of Our Work

 
Rotary Club of Carbondale has the following committees, each with a chairperson and members tasked with continuously serving the Club and community through goals and objectives.
 
Determine which committee fits your skills and interests by speaking with the chairperson and members.  All members are required to sign up for a working committee.  The goal is for everyone to enjoy their Rotary experience, and contribute to our success.  Please speak with your sponsor regarding contacting the current chairperson for each committee.
 
  • Community Projects & Grants - Identifies, evaluates, and recommends charitable activities on behalf of the Club.These are typically activities in the local or regional community, and all Club members are expected to participate.The Community Service Committee Chairperson will coordinate with the Club Treasurer regarding financial support available for potential service projects.
 
Examples of past participation include:
  • Funding for the Roaring Fork High School solar array and greenhouse.
  • Funding for the Derail Park on the Rio Grande Trail and helped to plant and weed the area.
  • Adopted a Carbondale-area section of the Rio Grande Trail through Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers for cleanup and other trail projects.
  • Volunteered during the Roaring Fork Conservancy River Cleanup Day.
  • Adopted a section of Highway 82 for highway cleanup for several years.
  • Served food at the community picnic at Potato Day and helped direct traffic for the parade.
  • Volunteered for RFHS Project Graduation and the Valley View Hospital Health Fair.
  • Funded Summit 54's Summer Advantage program for Carbondale students.
  • Provided funds to Carbondale Middle School for after school remedial and enrichment programs.
 
  • Environment – The Environment Committee works to identify opportunities to safeguard and repair the natural environment in our local communities. Ideally, these projects provide a positive effect beyond our communities for a long-term duration. We will partner as needed with environmentally focused organizations in order to provide educational, promotional, financial, and hands-on services.
 
  • Governance/Finance – Responsible for managing the overall finances for the Club, ensuring efficient and lawful operation and programs in line with Rotary standards, maintaining a current strategic plan, and preserving a positive image for our Club in the community.
 
Governance (bylaws) is a sub-function of the committee. It's only activated when needed, most recently when we finalized the bylaws revisions in 2020-21
 
  • Youth Services–Encompasses Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE), Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) and Interact Club. Scholarships operates as a subcommittee of Youth Services.
 
RYE is our international student exchange program. The Rotary Club of Carbondale is a Host and Sponsor club participant in Mountain & Plains District 5470 Rotary Youth Exchange. We typicall sponsor and send several local high school students abroad to stay with families in another country for the school year.  In addition, we have hosted foreign students here in Carbondale from countries such as Italy, Japan, Sweden, Brazil and Ukraine, to name a few.
 
RYLA is a Rotary-focused youth leadership program in which high school students from across D5470 apply for and are accepted to attend a weekend leadership conference at Colorado Mountain College-Spring Valley. This program has also been suspended during the pandemic but returns this June. We have some prospective candidates locally that we will be reviewing soon.
 
Interact Club is essentially Rotary for youth ages 12-18 that is sponsored by a local Rotary club. We chartered an Interact Club at Roaring Fork High School in early 2020 to engage local youth.
 
Scholarships are awarded by our club each spring to graduating seniors from Roaring Fork, Basalt and Bridges high schools (also open to Colorado Rocky Mountain School) through an application and subcommittee review process.
 
  • Membership – Responsible for attracting, engaging, and retaining the highest quality members from our community.  Our team advises on promotional and advertising strategies for growing our Club membership.  We also work to orient and educate new members to quickly make them productive Club members.  Lastly, we determine best practices for keeping members engaged and with the Club.
 
  • Fundraising – Raise the necessary funds to support the mission and programs of the Rotary Club of Carbondale. As of now this consists of our major spring event, the Fireball Drop, where the public can purchase individual ping pong balls for a chance to win a grand prize and our Pancake breakfast in the fall. Past events included a casino night and other themed social nights with food, a silent and live auction.
 
We welcome Rotary member volunteers to help solicit contributions, sell tickets and manage the event. We also partner with other non-profits to sell tickets and keep a portion of the proceeds.
 
  • International – Responsible for the Club’s participation in Rotary International World Community Service.   The focus is on Rotarians making a difference In the world through projects beyond our national borders, helping third world communities to advance educationally, economically, and in health with fresh water, schools, and better environment.  This includes service project identification, evaluation, participation, and coordination of funding through The Rotary Foundation. 

How do I Start?

Attend Weekly Meetings – Our meetings are held on Wednesday mornings from 6:45  to 8:00 a.m. at the Carbondale Fire Station, or via Zoom.  Check the weekly newsletter for the agenda and Zoom link. From 6:45 - 7:00 am, we socialize and get our breakfast and coffee from a buffet table. Our official club meeting takes place from 7:00 - 8:00 am.
 
  • When you arrive, pick up your Rotary badge in the box, grab some breakfast goodies, and be sure to say “hi” to your fellow club members.
 
  • Every meeting is started with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Rotary Four-Way (now 5-way) Test.
 
The Test is applied to all that we do in the Club.  It was actually developed by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor as a means to resuscitate a failing business in the throes of the Great Depression.  The 4-Way Test was later adopted by Rotary International in January of 1943.     History
  • Is It The Truth?
  • Is It Fair To All Concerned?
  • Will It Build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
  • Will It Be Beneficial To All Concerned?
  • And our add-on…Is It Fun?
 
  • The meeting program varies weekly and is likely to include a word of the day, thought of the day, and song of the day.Typically invited guests come to give a presentation on a community topic of interest.Once a month, the club has a committee breakout session to advance particular topics.
 
  • At some point during the meeting, the host will put forth a “happy bucks” topic where all members are invited to donate some spare cash ($1 and up) and share something in their lives that makes them happy.For example, “I’d like to donate $5 in recognition of the awesome show put on by the Thunder River Theater this weekend.”All money donated is put into the Club account. Oftentimes, we pay out some happy bucks to support a member of our community in need of a small, one-time effort such as books or materials for a first-year college student.
 
  • Before, during, and after the meeting, don’t be afraid to jump in and introduce yourself to EVERYONE! This is a friendly group of community members ready to welcome you with open arms and answer any questions you might have.
 
  • If you happen to miss a meeting due to a conflict in your schedule and are unable to dial in via Zoom, you are encouraged to make up the meeting by attending another club’s meeting, anywhere in the world! We strongly encourage members to keep absences to a minimum. For worldwide club meeting location and times, visit www.rotary.org. 
 
In addition to this document, and jumping into the weekly meetings, our club President and Membership Committee Chairperson will host periodic “fireside chat” sessions as an orientation for new members.  As a new member, you will be automatically notified of the next session.
 
The club has a number of working committees.  They meet at least once a month during regular club meetings, and sometimes more frequently as needed.  See below for the list of committees and chairpersons.  All members are required to participate on at least one of the Club committees.
 
When you become a member, you will be assigned a Club Sponsor via email.  S/he will contact you and arrange for an in person meeting within the first month to welcome you, and answer any questions you might have. Thereafter, they will meet with you once a quarter for the first year as you get your feet under you.  Feel free to contact them at any time along the way with anything that comes up.
 
As a new member, you will be sent login information from John Stroud for our Club website, which is hosted by ClubRunner.  https://rotarycarbondale.org/ The website will allow you to:
  • See current names and contact information for Club executives and directors.
  • Past and upcoming events.
  • Rotary International Links.
  • Using the “Member Area” tab: User Profile, Club Directory, Email History, Attendance, etc.

Member Benefits:

MEMBER BENEFITS
  • As a member, you play a role in effecting change within the community.
  • Many Club members are well-connected leaders throughout our community.You will be able to advance your business and professional contacts, as well as make new friendships.
  • You are welcome to attend all Business After Hours meetings from 4-6pm sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce every 3rd Wednesday at local businesses.A great place to connect in Carbondale!
  • Club communications and updates are sent through the Club’s website managed through ClubRunner.
  • Whether in a formal leadership role or working on a committee, you will be given opportunities to expand your leadership skills.
  • Our weekly speaker series and conversations with other members will allow you to become more familiar with your community.
  • You have the opportunity to Identify a need in the community and suggest a hands-on project to address it with both a team of people, as well as potential for grant money.
  • By sharing the club's success stories with colleagues, friends and family. They recognize your commitment to our community, with the additional benefit of Rotary Club of Carbondale receiving positive exposure.
  • “Rotary” magazine is a professional monthly publication with stories of positive community impact by Rotary Clubs around the world.This includes inspirational accounts of club initiatives and programs,as well as individual profiles and achievements.
  • At some point, you should consider inviting interested coworkers, friends, and family membersto join.The success and growth of our club is the responsibility of all members.Guests are always welcome to attend a meeting, enjoy a breakfast, and decide if they’d like to apply for membership.