Hi my name is Ed Marshall and I'd like to tell you a little bit about our Mill Valley Rotary Club.
The club has among its members attorneys, realtors, accountants, geologists, publicists, newspaper writers, and former mayors to name a few. It is not unusual for our club to host a debate of future candidates for seats on the mill Valley City Council and realtors giving up-to-the-minute information on the pulse of property values in Marin County. Our club keeps members informed about what is taking place in the community and the nation. Many people do not know that Rotary sponsored some of the world's largest youth exchanges, educational exchanges and scholarship programs. It is always gratifying to me when news commentator, Bill Moyers mentions with pride that he was one of the Rotary scholarship recipients, and speaks fondly about how that experience changed his life.
Our Mill Valley Rotary club was chartered in 1924 and now has about 65 members. Our members have access to over 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries across the world and making up at these clubs is encouraged to facilitate understanding of humanitarian issues. One of Rotary's highest objectives is to build goodwill and peace throughout the world.
I believe most people who join Rotary do so to obtain contacts for their businesses. In fact I was one of them, joining Rotary to increase my business contacts. But I have found it's not all work, contacts and service in Rotary, social activities give me a chance to let loose and have fun. We often have parties for Christmas and Valentines and of course family members are welcome to join. In addition we hold barbecues where families and children are encouraged to participate. It should go without saying that there are conferences, conventions, assemblies, and social events which provide entertainment as well as Rotary information education and service. Our club members have many opportunities for humanitarian service both locally and internationally. Service programs address such concerns as healthcare, hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and the environment. In my 20 plus years in Rotary my life has been enriched by the club and I have developed many long-lasting and deep friendships.
I am very interested in attracting new qualified members. If your working life allows you to commit to a luncheon meeting once a week , if you are interested in networking with the civic and business leaders of the community and are interested in giving back to the community both locally and internationally then Rotary International is an organization you should seriously consider. If you would like more information on membership, about our club in general or to see pictures of our members having fun please feel free to visit MillValleyRotary.org. If you would like to contact us directly you can call our Past President Douglas Scherf at 415 383-7897. At the very least I encourage you to come to one of our meetings and see what's keeps us coming back for more.
Did I mention FREE LUNCH? Yes, your host will treat you to lunch just to meet our members.
I came for the contacts and stayed for the service to others and good friends, you can too.
Detailed club information follows:
Rotary International is a service organization with member clubs throughout the world. In Marin County there are 14 clubs with a combined total of approximately 900 members. A Rotarian is welcome at every Rotary Club in the world!
Meetings
The Mill Valley Club meets at 12:15 p.m. every Tuesday at the Mill Valley Golf Clubhouse on Buena Vista Avenue directly across from the Municipal Golf Course. Following lunch, there is an introduction of visiting Rotarians, guests, announcements of club activities and projects, and some interaction among the membership. At each meeting, there is a special program, usually with a guest speaker, which begins at 1:00 p.m. and ends promptly at 1:30 p.m., at which time the meeting is concluded. At various times during the year, special events and programs are scheduled which may be for members only or may include guests, spouses and/or families.
Attendance
Attendance is very important in Rotary. Without regular attendance at meetings, there is no way that a member can participate in fellowship and service with other members. When it is not possible for a member to attend our club meeting, it is expected that the member will "make up" at another club. There is a least one club meeting every work day in Marin County with meeting times at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A Rotarian may also make up at any Rotary Club worldwide. If a member finds it impossible to make up, it will necessary to pay a missed meeting fine of $18. To maintain membership in Rotary, a member must attend a minimum of 60% of the meetings during a Rotary year (July through June), at least half of which must be at a member's home club. If a member misses four meetings in a row without a "make up" or without prior Board approval, membership may be terminated by Rotary International rules. To get credit for attendance at a meeting whether at our club or any other Rotary club, a member must stay for at least 60% of the meeting (usually this means 45 minutes, e.g., from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m.) However, in all clubs, "early leavers" are frowned upon, as it is impolite to the speaker.
Membership
The members of Rotary International are the top men and women in their community, owners of businesses, managers, or professional in many diverse vocations. This variety of members, guests, and speakers on different subjects provides an excellent opportunity to enrich a member's life. Local service projects and the work of Rotary International, supported and influenced by each member, gives a member an active role in an organization that very effectively helps and serves others in our community and throughout the world. Rotary is dedicated to service, particularly service which promotes international understanding and good will.
There are some expenses involved in membership, some at the time of induction, and others during the year. A member should be aware of and plan for them.
Fees
Initial Fees Payable Prior to or at the Time of Induction
Initial Fee (one time) $50
Annual Dues * $185
Subscription to The Wheel (annual) free via email
Contribution to Rotary Foundation ** $10
* Modified dues are available for the clergy and retired members.
** This is an initial contribution, but it is hoped that a new member will learn more about the value of the Foundation and will want to make further contributions and in time become a Paul Harris Fellow.
Costs During the Year
The present cost of weekly meetings is $18, of which $16 goes to lunch, $1 to our scholarship program for graduates of Tamalpais High School, $.50 to our Rotary Foundation matching program and $.50 to our Mill Valley Rotary Service Fund. If you decide not to eat lunch there is a $5 non-eater fee.
Funds for expenses of the club come from many sources, including dues, fund raisers, weekly raffles, and "fines." Typical fines are for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, good times, special recognitions and some fun fines. Presently the total fines (not including missed meeting fees) are about $40/year. Also, there are usually two or three mandatory events each year where, due to the cost and advance commitments that we must make, you are required to pay whether or not you attend. Examples include the club BBQ and the annual club installation dinner. These have been running approximately $45 each. You will also be expected to sell approximately $150 worth of event and/or raffle tickets for our annual major fund raiser. Finally, occasional donations are requested for prizes and auctions.
Committees and Service Commitments
New members are assigned to one or two committees. Through these committees plus club service projects, a member will participate in fellowship with other club members and in service to our community and to the world. The Mill Valley Rotary Club has a long tradition of community service and fellowship. Members are expected to attend meetings regularly and to actively participate in club service activities.
Pieter Bogaards
