What is the Big Deal about Attendance?

Posted by Steven Walden 
 
You may or may not know it, but Rotary International recently lowered the requirements for attendance at meetings to 50%. This requirement to be at meetings only one-half of the time even accounts for the increased availability of makeup opportunities at other clubs and on-line.
 
I know that each of us has a personal opinion about the new attendance requirements, both good and bad. I can understand the points for both pros and cons on lowering the standards. But, I am a proponent for members attending their club meetings because I believe that the time we spend together is so important.

Our club has a history of celebrating individual attendance. Toward the end of this year, several of us will receive a certificate for accomplishing 100% attendance through the year. Many folks will be recognized for several years of perfect attendance. There are even some that have NEVER missed a meeting since becoming a Rotarian. For those of you who are habitual attendees, I applaud your loyalty and dedication.

There is another aspect to our club meetings I hope you will want to experience. Each Friday morning, a group of early risers are at the Shilo to grab a cup of hot coffee, shake hands, and talk about business, weather, sports, and other things important (or not-so-important.) Sometimes this early bird meeting starts at 0630, sometimes even earlier. Although I am usually distracted by meeting preparation, I make it a point to join in the conversations and learn what is happening around town and in our members' lives. For me, this casual pre-meeting gathering is what makes Fridays, well, Fridays. There are certain members that I can count on seeing there. And if they are missing, we notice it and begin to ask questions. Usually, someone knows exactly where that absent member is at the moment.

By now, each of us have formed an idea of what Rotary means to us personally. For some, it is an avenue of providing hands on service to our community. For others, it is an organization that can be trusted to spend donated money on meaningful endeavors for humanitarianism, hunger, health, and peace. But at the core, it is an club of caring and giving folks that are fun to be around. I guess that is why I am not worried about our attendance. With our great programs, impromptu comedy, and longstanding friendships, we will continue to have attendance above the RI standards of one-half.

Where will you be at 6:25 a.m. this Friday? Consider getting to the meeting a little early to mingle and fellowship with our members. I believe you will quickly find that one hour of Rotary per week is just not enough.

Have a fruitful week.

Yours in Rotary,

Steve Walden