Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s Columbus Rotary’s relationship with the Sunrise Club and which might be a better ‘fit’ for me?

The morning club is a spin-off from our club. Members tend to be a little younger and its dues are lower. Our members are very active in a wide range of volunteer roles that impact our community far beyond the scope of club service projects, so our club generally uses club funds when supporting a project. If the Sunrise club chooses to support something, it’s likely to hold a fundraising event instead. Because some of our members like to take part in hands-on projects, the Sunrise Club often invites our participation, making that option available for those who may be interested.

How is Columbus Rotary governed?

Our club’s Board of Directors meets nine time per year (as announced at meetings) at 7:30 AM in one of the meeting rooms off the CRH cafeteria. With input from the membership, this group makes decisions from approving new Rotarians to how the club’s funds are spent. Basically, it’s responsible for all issues not mandated by Rotary International. Like the boards of all Indiana corporations, ours is elected by the membership at an annual meeting. All members are always welcome to attend and breakfast is provided.

Who decides what projects the club supports and how can I obtain support for a favorite charity/project?

The board proposes a budget to the membership every year and it is voted on at the annual meeting. With a membership of around 100 and typical meeting attendance of 50, meals paid for but not eaten are the source of most of our club’s spendable funds. These are used to support a wide range of projects.

The club has a longstanding relationship with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. We provide financial support as well as volunteers who help transfer children in and out of Erne Auditorium for the Adventure Concerts offered annually to all the county’s 3 rd and 4th graders. Our club honors someone in the community every year (not necessarily a Rotarian) with the Music Makes Your Life award, named for Alice Curry (longtime Director of the Philharmonic) who was our club’s president-elect when she died.

We have supported Abby’s House for over ten years. It is a group living space for medical, PT and pharmacy residents connected to a clinic in rural Belize. It is named for Jan and Roger Brinkman’s daughter who participated in a tropical medicine residency there and drowned on a diving trip there in October of 2005. The facility was built, and is maintained, in her memory. Several years ago, the board voted to make Abby’s House our permanent international project. Most years, we have a program from Hillside International, the agency that operates the clinic.

Our most costly project is the I Like Me book program. A personalized book is printed for every kindergarten student in the county. The text includes the student’s name, along with the names of their principal, teacher, and two friends. I Like Me provides a personalized way for students to build a healthy sense of self while developing reading skills. It also provides the kindergarteners with a vehicle to discuss issues in their lives with positive role models. All club members contribute to the cost of these books within the structure of their semi-annual dues. In addition to our club’s contribution, other organizations such as the Haddad, Custer, and Nugent foundations have traditionally helped pay for the books. Rotarians deliver the books to each school and may be allowed to read one of the books to the class, depending on the teacher’s preference.

Many other programs and agencies have received support from our club over the years. Any member can make a request of the board for funding. There is no specific form required. Interested members should contact the President and ask to be added to the board meeting’s agenda.

How long must I keep the “New Member” sticker on my badge?

You decide – remove it when you no longer feel like a newbie.

Well, how long should I wait before inviting a guest?

You decide – you may bring a guest as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. Traditionally members pay the $10 meal fee for their guests but if it happens to be a prospective member, the board will pay the $10. Please discuss this with the Sergeant-at-Arms as you register.

What’s going on with Happy Bucks?

By tradition, members who are happy or want to make an announcement of an upcoming community event may address the club by paying a dollar for the privilege. Every year, our club president picks a charity to which all the money raised is donated. In addition, there are usually two or three fundraising events during the year which also support the president’s chosen charity. These activities usually bring in around $1200. President Lynn Lucas has chosen Kids Commons for the 2019/20 club year. We try to have a program from the chosen agency early in the year, so members can see where their money goes. If you want to select the charity, contact a board member about being nominated for the club presidency.

In addition to Music Makes Your Life, what other awards are given annually?

There are two. The Teree Bergman Service Above Self award is given to a Rotarian who has a long history of club and community involvement but generally in ‘behind the scenes’ roles. The Bob Stewart Legacy award goes to a Rotarian who has served the club and Rotary at the District and higher levels over a long period of time. Each is named for a past member of the club whose own service inspired the award. Plaques bearing the names of the recipients all three awards hang on the wall behind the podium.

I hear that the Rotary International Foundation is trying to rid the world of polio.

That’s true. Through its Polio Plus program, RI has invested over $2 billion (yes, with a B) in vaccination programs all over the world. Through PP (also funded by the Gates Foundation and managed by UNICEF), 122 countries in the world are now polio-free with only Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan remaining. In 2018, over 400 million children were vaccinated worldwide.

Speaking of the RI Foundation, what’s a Paul Harris Fellowship?

Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary. One of the early members decided that RI should include a foundation which would support good works and it was named for Mr. Harris. Over the years, Rotary has become global and so has the foundation. Any member who contributes $1000 to the RI foundation becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. Every year, $100 of each of our members’ dues is contributed to the RI Foundation in their name, so all members of Columbus Rotary will become PHFs after ten years in the club. Of course, additional gifts can be made, so the status can be achieved sooner if you desire. The club sometimes awards a PHF to a non-member as a way of thanking someone in the community for their contributions.

I don’t like the food – what can be done?

Selecting a caterer is a duty of the board. We obviously have a limited budget and the chosen supplier must be able to provide a meal (and clean-up after) within it. Kramer’s was selected several years ago but the board would certainly entertain an alternative if you want to undertake the research.

Is Rotary a place to learn about the community, a place to network with other business people or a group that meets to serve the community?

Yes. Different members join for these and other reasons. You’ll get exactly what you want out of the club as long as you participate fully.

What’s up with the “First Car” question?

This has been an element of our introductions since the 1980’s. It was intended to keep things light and continues to be an enjoyable part of our club’s life today.