Are You a Member of a Committee?

I am referring to the various committees that serve as functioning organs of our amazing organization called the Rotary Club of Manila. And yes, this is a question that I ask all Manila Rotarians, especially our Star Rotarians --- for this Rotary year, are you already serving in a committee?

For sure, everyone’s Rotary journey will be more meaningful if he takes part in at least one project, not only during the implementation day itself, but more importantly, as a member of the Committee tasked to plan and execute the same. One’s involvement in a committee is the best way to meaningfully immerse oneself to the Club, and for one to truly live the life of a Rotarian embodying the ‘service above self’ mantra.

Rotary International (RI) itself underscores the importance of a Rotarian joining a committee and becoming more actively involved. The RI website has this clear invitation: “Enjoy getting involved in your new club as a Rotary member. Join a committee. Lead a service project. Organize a social event. Lead and contribute to your new club.” Let us join a committee. Let us lead a service project.

As we all know, RCM is not only the oldest club in Asia, but one of the biggest in the country. As such, the Club has a deep bench of leaders and a huge reservoir of talent that can be tapped for the numerous committees. And so, to all the fine gentlemen of Asia’s first Rotary Club, let me humbly make this brotherly exhortation: if, by now, you are not yet a member of a Committee, do sign up and be counted. And if you have more time to spare, join not just one, but more.

A Committee member is expected to be committed, and to work closely with the Chairman and the other members. The Committee, as a collegial body, is expected to work as a team to put together and develop an action plan, outlining the steps needed to achieve its mandate or the identified goal. In this regard, RI’s Club Administration Committee Manual enumerates the steps that can help the Committee, especially the Chairman, in developing an action plan. These are:

a) Establish a time frame for each step.

b) Determine who is responsible for implementing each step.

c) Establish the criteria for measuring progress and success for each step.

d) Consider the resources and tools available from your club, district, and RI to support the goal.

e) Secure human, informational, and financial resources before taking action.

f) Evaluate the success of previous goals and your current plan, making modifications as necessary.

The Manual also recommends the regular evaluation of the Committee’s goals “to ensure steady progress is being made toward achieving them, and adjust if necessary.” It is in each Committee, therefore, where the real action happens; it is where the magic originates. Involvement in a Committee, it must be noted, affords a member more opportunities for fellowship, a role in shaping the Club’s activities, and ultimately, provides the avenue to have a deeper appreciation of the true driving force and inspiration behind Rotary.

So I reiterate: Manila Rotarians, if you haven’t yet, do join a Committee and make your service-rendering and hope-creating journey acquire more excitement, meaning, and significance. Enjoy Rotary. Join a Committee.