ing acquires a knowledge of business,
of Rotary, of the community, and of
world affairs, which expands his hori-
zon and increases his potential effec-
tiveness.

Acquaintance

A third reward is the wider acquaint-
ance and better understanding of men
which are consequences of the atmos-
phere characterizing a true Rotary
meeting. Many a Rotarian has found
new things to admire and respect in
men he thought he knew before. By
contacts with new members, with visit-
ing Rotarians from various cities and
countries and with other guests, he en-
larges and enriches his experience. |

These three rewards, relaxation, in-
formation, wider acquaintance, come
without much effort on the individual’s
part. They are practically clear profit.

Opportunity to Share in Service
Another result of attendance is the

opportunity to share in keeping things

going. Rotary clubs don’t just happen;

they are the result of the unselfish de-.

votion of officers and committees. The
member who has benefited generously
will want to do his share in carrying
the responsibility. He can do that best
if he is regular in his attendance.

Finally, the Rotarian who is regular
in attendance is doing for his fellow
members what we have already noticed
that they do for him. Moreover, he is
encouraging and sustaining those whose
efforts have set the stage for the satis.
faction he has found, those without
whose efforts a Rotary club luncheon
would be just another meeting.

Attendance in Wartime

The war—especially the regulations
that have been placed on transportation

and food and the problems that are

being encountered in the labor market
and in certain types of business, the
difficulties encountered in maintaining
a regular meeting place, etc.—has cre-
ated new problems, and placed greater
responsibility on the attendance com-

mittee. While attendance difficulties
have increased, so has the importance
of good attendance.

Unity is the watchword of the day.
In every country directly affected by the
war, the people are being called upon
to present a united front. Many of the
programs and the discussions will be
centered on keeping the members in-
formed with regard to the special war
efforts of the community. Only if a
Rotarian is regular in his attendance
can he participate fully in the contribu-
tion which his Rotary club will be mak-
ing in that direction. The building of
morale is one of the greatest opportuni-
ties'a Rotary club has in the present
crisis. Poorly attended Rotary meetings
have an adverse effect on the club and
indirectly on the morale of the entire
community. Well attended meetings,
on the other hand, will be evidence
that the business and professional men
are cooperating enthusiastically in the
war effort.

Special vigilance for the morale of
your own members is required these
days. If a Rotarian is experiencing
difficulties in his business—if he is
worried about a son or other rela-
tive in military service—he may de-
velop an attitude that he “does not feel
like” attending the Rotary meeting. In
such a case the attendance committee
should approach him in a friendly,
helpful manner and cause him to see
that he needs more than ever the kind
of association and fellowship that Ro-
tary affords.

Heretofore the average monthly at-
tendance of all Rotary clubs in the
United States and Canada has been ap-
proximately 85%. If the problems of
the present day make it impossible to
maintain this average we shall just have
to accept this as “a casualty of war,”
and make the best.of it. There may be
consolation in the fact that all other
Rotary clubs are “in the same boat.”
Let’s remember—attendance is a means
to an end—and not the end in itself!

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