Our Vision
The Rotary Club of Ottawa South (the “Club”) sees a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our community, and in ourselves.
About Rotary
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting. For more than 110 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.
Our 35,000+ clubs work together to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease
- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Save mothers and children
- Support education
- Protecting the environment
- Grow local economies
Membership in a Service Club – a 21st Century Solution
Recognizing the growing importance that corporations and other organizations place on social responsibility, the Club has created the corporate/organizational membership initiative. Corporate/Organizational memberships invite corporations or other organizations to participate in giving back to the community through the well-organized systems and structures of Rotary. Membership in Rotary offers an excellent vehicle for staff leadership development. The Club provides a medium to learn about community needs in a variety of areas and learn about and participate in fundraising and volunteering in ways that truly impact the community.
Why Become a Corporate/Organizational Member?
Participation as an active member of the Rotary Club presents several advantages through an effective partnership that includes:
- Elevates the corporation’s/organization’s image in the community as a partner in service and a business committed to social responsibility.
- Emphasizes a commitment to serving others as part of the corporate/organizational culture, something workers will appreciate.
- Participation in a service organization with a rich history capable of assessing and responding to a diverse range of needs within the community, our country, and our world.
- Immediate access to the global Rotary network of Rotary clubs, partner organizations and charities.
- Participation opportunities with Rotary hands-on projects.
Rotary Corporate/Organizational Member Benefits
A Corporate/Organizational Membership:
- Reduces the time commitment of any one member by allowing employees to attend meetings or events on each other’s behalf
- Offers workers the chance to develop and apply leadership and professional skills such as project management, training, and public speaking
- Gives corporate/organizational members access to Rotary’s global network of 1.4 million volunteers and the opportunity to network while traveling
Additionally, the Rotary Club of Ottawa South has created a Corporate/Organizational Membership program with specific benefits:
Meeting Hosting: Every 12-18 months our Corporate/Organizational Members will be provided with the opportunity to shape and lead one of our Rotary Club meetings. The frequency of the Corporate/Organizational Member-lead Rotary meetings is intended to be every 3-4 months and will be adjusted based on the number of Corporate/Organizational Members.
Social Media and Website Recognition: Every Corporate/Organizational Member will be entitled to an annual sponsorship advertisement through the Club’s social media channels and website.
Team Building Opportunities: Rotary will endeavour to work with its Corporate/Organizational Members to facilitate Corporate/Organization Team building opportunities associated with Rotary’s volunteer opportunities.
Responsibilities of Club Membership
The club is the cornerstone of Rotary, where the most meaningful work is carried out. All effective Rotary members are responsible for these key elements:
- Participating in at least one service project that benefits our community, country and and/or world;
- Sustaining or increasing our membership base;
- Supporting The Rotary Foundation financially and through program participation; and
- Developing leaders capable of serving in Rotary beyond the club level.
What Rotarians get out of Rotary depends largely on what they put into it. These membership requirements are designed to help members more fully participate in and enjoy their Rotary experience.
Rotary’s Guiding Principles
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
- The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
- High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
- The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life; and
- The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a global network of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
How to Become a Member
We encourage you attend at least two Club meetings prior to submitting your membership application for consideration. During this time, you will be contacted by a member of the Club to arrange an interview to discuss any questions you may have about the merits of joining the Club. Once you have completed and submitted your application, it will then be passed on to the Board of Directors for final approval.
The terms of reference for the Corporate/Organizational Membership Program, membership application and fee schedule follow.
Terms of Reference
1.Approval Process
A corporate entity or other organization may become eligible for Corporate/Organizational Membership status in the Rotary Club of Ottawa South by approval and ratification of the application form by the Board of Directors. Corporate/Organizational candidates should meet the same membership requirements as any prospective club member.
2.Designated Primary Rotary Member
Once a corporation or organization becomes eligible for Corporate/Organizational Membership, the corporation or organization must appoint a primary member, referred to as the “Corporate/Organizational Member”, who must be employed full time by the corporation or organization in managerial or professional positions. The primary member must be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval.
3.Alternates
Once a primary member is approved the Corporation/Organization can designate alternates to attend club meetings/events in place of the primary member. Dues are not charged for alternates (1-2 others). Alternates are not listed on the club’s membership roster in Rotary’s database. Alternates may not vote and are not eligible to hold office. Alternates are required to follow the Guiding Principles of Rotary.
4.Changing Primary Member
Primary members may be changed by the corporation or organization on written notice to the Board while always retaining one of the corporation’s or organization’s senior executives.
5.Induction
Corporate/Organizational Members will be inducted into the Rotary Club of Ottawa South in accordance with the current process and procedures.
6.Requirements for Members
The attendance and service requirements for the Corporate Member will be the same as for any regular member of the club. Namely:
- Participating in at least one service project that benefits our community, country and and/or world;
- Sustaining or increasing our membership base;
- Supporting The Rotary Foundation financially and through program participation; and
- Developing leaders capable of serving in Rotary beyond the club level.
The Corporate/ Organizational Member will be credited with service if any alternates complete the service.
7.Classification
The Corporate / Organizational Member will be classified and counted toward the classification limits set forth in the RI Constitution, Article 5, Section 2(b). The Corporate / Organizational Member will give a classification or introduction talk about the corporation/organization.
8.RI Registration
Since the primary corporate member is charged RI dues, that person is reported as the active member and listed on the club’s membership roster in Rotary International’s database. The alternates aren’t charged RI dues and are therefore not listed on the club’s membership roster in Rotary’s database.
9.Badges
Badges will be worn by the primary member like all club members indicating their corporate / organizational classification.
10.Votes and Quorum
For the purpose of general meetings and club matters, a Corporate/Organizational Member may vote. As a member of the Rotary Club a primary member may vote in Rotary International voting matters.
11.Holding Office
The Corporate/Organizational Member may hold any office in the Rotary Club to which the member is elected or appointed in the normal way.
12.Conversion to Individual Membership
A primary Corporate/Organizational Member may apply to the Board to convert to individual membership. This may be done while remaining in the employ of the corporation or organization or upon leaving this employment.
13.Communication
The primary Corporate/Organizational member will receive the weekly Rotell and email communications, as well as login access to the club’s website.
14.Public Liability Coverage
The corporate/organizational primary member will be included under the respective club liability insurance while participating in any approved club activities or projects if applicable.
15.Participation in Youth Activities
The primary Corporate/Organizational Member are expected to abide by all restrictions, policies and procedures with respect to club activities involving youth.
16.Termination of Corporate/Organizational Membership
The process of terminating the membership of a corporation/organization or a corporate/organizational primary member will be dealt with on an individual basis, however the criteria for termination will be the same as that for a regular member.
17.Meeting Hosting
Every 12-18 months Corporate/Organizational Members will be provided with the opportunity to shape and lead one of the Club’s meetings. The frequency of the Corporate/Organizational Member-lead Rotary meetings is intended to be every 3-4 months and will be adjusted based on the number of Corporate/Organizational Members.
18.Social Media and Website Recognition
Every Corporate/Organizational Member will be entitled to an annual sponsorship advertisement through the Club’s social media channels and website.
19.Team Building Opportunities
Rotary will endeavour to work with its Corporate/Organizational Members to facilitate team building opportunities associated with Rotary’s volunteer opportunities.
Fees and Financial Obligations
Annual Club Dues are payable by the Corporate/Organizational Member in the amount per annum set out in the Club’s Dues Schedule which will entitle the corporation or organization to designate a primary member. Dues are not charged for alternates (1-2 others) who can attend club meetings/events in place of the primary member. Annual dues for not-for-profit corporations or charities are discounted and are set out in the Club’s Dues Schedule.
Corporate/Organizational Members and Alternates are responsible for their own club meeting fees and meal fees (if applicable).
In the event of a change in designation from Corporate/Organizational Membership to individual membership, the member would be charged the going membership fee paid by all members.
.png)
