Who is qualified to become a member of RC Manila?

Our club is famous as the first in all of Asia. Historically, its members have been distinguished men of accomplishment, such as General George MacArthur, James Rockwell, Carlos Romulo, Gil Puyat, President FVR, and many more. Membership has perhaps always been a special privilege and honor, maybe even prestigious. We seek to assert our leadership as we plan and prepare for our 100th anniversary in only two more years. We want to grow and be as strong as possible.

Globally, people join Rotary to join with like-minded people and make a difference through worthwhile projects that benefit the community. We can do more if we grow our engaged membership, especially among younger men. In this article, we address membership qualifications, and in a subsequent article, we will discuss some project opportunities.

Our club’s constitution (the one that requires approval of an RI Convention to change!), details four kinds of membership. These categories are active, senior active, past service, and honorary. Most incoming members are “active” but there is some confusion about what kind of a person is eligible to become a member of our club. For example, there is a common misperception that a prospective member must either be the top person in their organization or number two, but that is not correct.

Here is what our constitution says in Article V, Section Two, for active membership:

Each active member shall be an adult male person of good character and good business or professional reputation: (a) engaged as proprietor, partner, corporate officer, or manager of any worthy and recognized business or profession; or (b) holding an important position in an executive capacity with discretionary authority in any worthy and recognized business or profession; or (c) acting as the local agent or branch representative of any worthy and recognized business or profession, having charge of such agency or branch in an executive capacity; and personally and actively engaged in the business or profession in which he is classified in the club and having his place of business or residence located within the territorial limits of the club, except as otherwise provided in Article VIII, Section 1 (a) of this constitution.

Although not specifically enumerated, the Membership Committee and Board of Directors have always done their best consider the probable intended meanings of “…good character…and good reputation…” to include financial stability, legal history and, ahh, “jerk quotient.” We all understand that life is too short to deal with flakes, criminals and jerks!

Whom can you nominate for consideration to become one of our members? Anyone who meets the above qualifications! Please look through the classification roster that is in the back of your new membership roster. Look especially at those hundreds of classifications for whom we have no members. Think if you might know someone who would fit one of those categories who is an owner or manager, someone with discretionary authority, and whose business or home is almost anywhere in Metro Manila. We lack age diversity and really need younger members, those who are managers but probably not yet number one or two. We need their energy and ideas to strengthen our club.

Nomination forms are available from Anna at the registration desk. Thank you.