How Should the President View His Club?

One characteristic of a Rotary club is
the diversity of occupation and in-
terest represented in its membership.
Through the fellowship of its meet-
ings, another characteristic, the desire
of all members to be of service to their
fellowmen is aroused and developed.
The club is a training group for serv-
ice. In the process of mutual training
for service, the club may occasionally
apply its efforts as a club to some par-
ticular project. In general, however,
its recognized function is to keep its
members informed as to opportunities
and ways to serve, and to stimulate
them to service where they can help
most effectively.

These opportunities for service, while
innumerable, all belong in one or
another of the divisions defined by the
four objects of Rotary. And these are
the objects not only of Rotary Interna-
tional. They have been adopted also
by each Rotary club and accepted as

the obligation of each Rotarian. The
president must lead; he must give the
guidance needed to keep his club mov-
ing in the direction of those four
objects.

Rotary’s strength and astonishing
growth are due largely to the success
Rotary clubs have had in uniting their
members in a common purpose while
expecting and encouraging them to
carry out that purpose individually ac-
cording to their respective interests
and abilities. Thus we find men of
various races, creeds, and points of
view working in sympathy and accom-
plishing far more than could be
achieved under any plan which re-
quired unanimous consent.

The club president’s opportunity to
direct and to further this process of
getting agreement on purpose and va-
riety in method may prove to be his
greatest reward and his most lasting
satisfaction.

The President’s Preparation for His Office

The responsibility which a Rotarian.

assumes in accepting the presidency of
his club gives a new significance even
to familiar aspects of the Rotary pro-
gram,

Attending the District
Conference

In all probability, the district con-
ference will be held shortly after the
club elections. The president elect will
find in this event a fine opportunity
to begin preparing for his coming
duties of office. Here he may consult
with the district governor whose con-
tacts with all the clubs in the district
make his advice full of practical| help.
Here he will meet other presidents-
elect wanting to exchange ideas. \

On the conference program, infotma-
tion and inspiration will be provided
by the governor, the representative of
R.I. and other speakers, and by the

exchange of ideas in group assemblies. \

\
.
\

At the district conference also, the new
president will have his first contacts
with the governor nominee, the dis-

trict’s own selection as its leader for
the coming year. Fortunate will be the
president elect who attends the district
conference accompanied by his fellow
officers, directors and committeemen.
Under such circumstances a consider-
able measure of success for his admin-
istration is almost certain.

Attending Board Meetings

While the president elect is without
authority until his term of office be-
gins, he may be invited to sit with
the board between his election and his
installation as president. This will give
him a desirable understanding of club
business. Likewise, he may wish to
call together the incoming board for
an informal (unofficial) meeting, and
thus be prepared to carry on with little
or no loss of time when the club year
begins.

Preparation by Reading

\In the period between his election and

his assuming office, the president elect
should find time to become acquainted

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