F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q |
 |
Who are the people at the short table when I walk in for the Breakfast meeting?
|
|
| A |
|
Most often, it's Karen Stephenson, the Club's Secretary and the Official Greeter, who, despite the early hour of the morning, is always cheerful and happy to see everyone. She is under close surveillance. There is often another member serving as the week's "Host", which is merely another name for assistant Greeter who has to take orders from Karen. Karen collects the money and/or sells the 50/50 raffle tickets. You don't have to buy any raffle tickets, but we do have a video camera watching every move you make. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How do I get my name on a button?
|
|
| A |
|
If all goes well, and you haven't angered any Club members, you'll be inducted as a member and will be given a RED badge with your name and classification on it. Having a RED badge means you are a new member and haven't yet met the requirements to earn a BLUE badge. However, you will eventually earn a BLUE badge and will have the authority to sneer at those pathetic new members who are still wearing a RED badge. Get it? |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How do I get billed?
|
|
| A |
|
Silly you. As if we'd let you into the club without paying first. You will receive an invoice from Club Treasurer Ed Serra. And you WILL pay, because he knows where you live. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How much am I billed?
|
|
| A |
|
How much can you afford? Just kidding. Meals cost $8.00 per week. Also, you will be billed for dues. This is billed quarterly. Currently that fee is $150.00 per quarter, a total of $600.00 per year. Ed Serra can bill you as an individual, or your company or your rich uncle Franz. Your check must be made out to: Central Citrus Rotary Club and can be mailed or hand delivered at one of the meetings. On occasion, the dues may increase slightly. You can bet they won't decrease. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
What if I fail to make a monthly payment?
|
|
| A |
|
Ever been to Siberia? If you don't pay your dues or for the breakfasts you eat, someone else in the Club has to. If you wish a "payment plan" that is something other than quarterly, please have a pint of blood drawn from your arm and bring it with you when you go see Ed Serra our Treasurer or Linda Cridland, our President. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How are my dues used?
|
|
| A |
|
Ever since one of our Past Presidents tried to use the funds to buy an RV, the Club's Board of Directors make sure that all fees due to Rotary International are paid. Your dues also pay for your annual subscription to The Rotarian Magazine, various charities in Citrus County and for as many scholarships as we can afford to local high school graduates to pursue a college education. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Do I need to sign in anywhere?
|
|
| A |
|
Yes ... be sure to sign or initial next to your name on the sheet when you check in at that "short table" where the lovely Karen Stephenson sits. Oh, yeah ... another place to sign is on your check when you pay your quarterly dues. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Who are the Club's officers and what do they do?
|
|
| A |
|
Our 2007-2008 officers are President Linda Cridland, President-Elect Tony Palumbo, Vice President Steve Sachewicz, Secretary Karen Stephenson, Treasurer Ed Serra, Sergeant-At-Arms Jim Crosley (a/k/a/ "The Croz"). As with most Clubs, the Secretary and the Treasurer run the Club while the others get all the glory. You can find descriptions of the duties of President and other officers by clicking here: ABOUT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How do I get involved?
|
|
| A |
|
Nothing causes the loss of new Rotarians faster than not having anything for them to do. Because committee assignments are made at the beginning of the Rotary year, new Members joining afterwards can fall through the cracks. Therefore, at any time during the Rotary year, any Chairperson of any committee can kidnap a new member for his or her committee. But this is a good thing, because the NEW member gets to meet and interact with the other members and the regular members get slave labor. It works out for everyone's benefit. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
What is the Rotary year?
|
|
| A |
|
July 1 through June 30. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Where do I sit in meetings?
|
|
| A |
|
We ask all members not to sit in the same place, with the same people each week. However, they do it anyway. For a NEW member it would be best to sit at several different tables each week and meet as many Rotarians as you can. Despite what you've read thus far in this FAQ section, Rotarians are great people and will help you progress through those first few awkward months of membership. After that, they may never speak to you again. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Do I use first names for all Club members, even judges and doctors?
|
|
| A |
|
At Rotary functions all Rotarians are addressed by their first name, regardless of their lofty status in civilian life. That is, except for Past-President Bob Crowley, who prefers to be called "Your Excellency". If you should momentarily forget a Member's first name, read his or her badge. If they are not wearing a badge, you are at the wrong meeting. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
I know attendance is important. What if I have to miss a meeting?
|
|
| A |
|
Life is easier if you maintain perfect attendance at your own Club. If you must miss a meeting you can "make-up" either two weeks before or two weeks after a missed meeting. The easiest way to make-up is to attend the regular meeting of another Rotary club. There are five in Citrus County alone. But if you are out of state or even out of the country, attend a Rotary Club meeting wherever you are. It will be quite an experience. Be sure to obtain a "Make Up" slip or notice from that club to verify your attendance. Give that notice to Secretary Karen Stephenson. You may also make-up a missed meeting by attending a Board meeting or getting involved with a committee meeting. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
What if I come to Black Diamond at the time of our regularly scheduled meeting and no one is here?
|
|
| A |
|
That is never a good sign. However, it could mean that the Club has gone off-site for a meeting and you didn't get the memo. They may have done it intentionally. But don't take it personally. If you attempt to attend a regularly scheduled meeting of our Club or another at the posted meeting place, and we/they are not there, you can still get credit for having attended the meeting. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How do I access the Club website?
|
|
| A |
|
Ah, helloooo, you're on it. (Hmmmm ... maybe we should reconsider your membership). |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
What are the "Happy Dollars" and "fines" that are collected used for?
|
|
| A |
|
Actually, this activity is mostly for "fun", even to the person found "guilty of something" and required to pay a fine. At our club, you'll find members very willing to donate "Happy Dollars" for just about any reason ... the weather, a sports victory, the finding of their other missing sock, the Mother-in-law finally returning to Idaho, and of course, for any special announcements or to sell tickets. This "fun money" raised over the year is substantial and is often used to provide 4 to 5 $500 scholarships for graduating High school students. Other times, it may be used to help a particular family or group in need. After all, this is what being a Rotarian is all about. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Can I share a business opportunity with Club members?
|
|
| A |
|
Yes, but do it before the meeting or after the meeting. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How do I propose someone for membership?
|
|
| A |
|
This could get complicated, so we recommend you speak with one of our esteemed members Paul Slosberg, who is a former District Governor and knows EVERYTHING about Rotary. What a guy! |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
What should I do if I am going to miss meetings for several months but wish to stay in the club?
|
|
| A |
|
The preferred option is to request a Leave of Absence (LOA) for up to six months at a time. You can contact President Linda Cridland by phone, e-mail, or snail mail. She will bring it up at the next Board meeting. A LOA relieves you from being billed for meals although you will be responsible for the quarterly dues payments. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Do all Rotary clubs sing?
|
|
| A |
|
Not sure. Haven't been to all of them yet. But there is a good possibility they do sing ... some better than others. None better than our club, though, led by legendary SongMeister Johny Carlsson. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Whom should I tell if my personal information changes?
|
|
| A |
|
Your spouse and your lawyer first. Then tell Karen Stephenson, our Secretary, who no doubt will spread the information all over the county before noon of that same day. Don't tell Al Romagnolo, or Jim Hovis or John Provost because they don't really care. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
I see all the club banners up front. What are they for?
|
|
| A |
|
These are club banners and are traded when Rotarians visit other clubs usually far away or in foreign places, like Long Island or Columbus, Ohio. If you plan to travel and will visit a Rotary club during your travels, ask our President for a supply of these banners. They'll cost you $475.00 each, but your credit is good with us, so we'll bill you. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How do I give to The Rotary Foundation?
|
|
| A |
|
The Foundation is the heart and soul of Rotary. TIP: NEVER ask this in the presence of Paul Slosberg unless you have a couple of hours to spare. But If you really want to know, and you should, he'll tell you willingly and will probably bring tears to your eyes. If you'd rather not talk with Paul, you can log on to: http://www.rotary.org/foundation/about/index.html. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
If I bring a guest, do I have to pay for them? What is a tactful way to say, "I'll bring you this time, but you have to pay for yourself after the first time?"
|
|
| A |
|
How about saying: "I'll bring you this time, but you have to pay for yourself after the first time." You should pay for the first breakfast, unless it's considered a "date", then it should be Dutch Treat. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Is your Sergeant-at-Arms IQ tested?
|
|
| A |
|
Can't answer that. Our S-A-A is Jim Crosley who's also known as "The Sheriff". He won't take the test until he's studied enough to know how to spell I.Q. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
What if I take my button home? What if it is lost?
|
|
| A |
|
How could anyone forget to leave their badge at the meeting? We don't think it's ever happened before. Let's see, if it did happen, why not bring it with you for the next meeting? If you lose it, don't bring it. But don't lose it, because then you'll have to tell Secretary Karen Stephenson, who'll give you "the look". |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Do I have to wear my pin at every meeting?
|
|
| A |
|
Yes. In fact you should wear your pin proudly every day. It is a recognized symbol of good deeds, honesty and fairness. Some of our members, like Judy Baker and Linda Daly, wear the pin on their pajamas. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How long have women been in Rotary?
|
|
| A |
|
Rotary clubs in the U.S. started accepting women in the 1986-87 Rotary year. The Council on Legislation officially opened Rotary International to all women worldwide in 1989. Even male Rotarians will agree it was a wise and sensible decision. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
Is it okay to laugh and have fun during Rotary meetings?
|
|
| A |
|
No. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How do I get to make an announcement?
|
|
| A |
|
Raise you hand, but quickly advise your President that it's not for a bathroom break. You will be recognized and allowed to speak. Keep in mind, it may cost you. (See the section about "Happy Dollars") |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
|
| Q |
|
How do I become a Paul Harris Fellow?
|
|
| A |
|
A Paul Harris Fellow is someone who has given $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation. It is possible to be a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow by giving more. And you can have a spouse or family member be recognized as a PHF with donations of $1,000. Another way is to become a Sustaining Member by donating $100 a year for 10 years. Why is it so important to become a PHF? Because that money goes directly into The Foundation which is what keeps Rotary financially strong and able to have money available when needs arise throughout the world. For more information, click here. |
|
|
Return to Questions at Top of Page |
