District 5650 Governor Tom Kerfoot shares his thoughts on vocational service and Rotary clubs as we enter the new year. Click to read more.
Happy New Year! As the calendar changes to 2025, It is a good time to reflect on some of the bright moments and cherished memories of the past year, learn from our past experiences and look forward with great anticipation and greet the New Year with hope and enthusiasm.
January is Vocational Service Month. It is a good time to look at the Object of Rotary, which is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.
You can read more about this on the My Rotary website. This is a philosophical statement of Rotary's purpose and the responsibility of all Rotarians. As we look at the Concept of Vocational Service, we are called on, as Rotarians, to encourage and foster:
- High ethical standards in business and professions
- The recognition of worthiness of all useful occupations
- The dignifying of each Rotarians occupation as an opportunity to serve society
How can we put these ideals into action in our communities and clubs? Please consider these suggestions:
- Talk about your professions in your club meetings and take the time to learn about your fellow member's occupations
- Use your skills and expertise to serve in our communities
- Practice your profession with integrity, and inspire others to behave ethically through your words and actions
- Help our young leaders achieve their career goals through mentorship
- Guide and encourage others in their professional development
By choosing to undertake these activities, we can bring vocational service to life. I urge you to find examples of ways to take action through vocational service.