Why I Remain a Rotarian

Recently, Pres. Raffy asked me to write about why I am still in Rotary. A long time member of RCB, much like what PP Johnny Zarate and PP Jack Gesner wrote recently in our Cañao, about their staying power as long time members, each over forty years and still counting.

Probably, Pres. Raffy wants to convey to our young and new members the importance of membership following their examples. There are others in our club who have attained memberships over 30, 35, 40 years, like PP Teop Rondez, PP Hector Lopez, Joe Ramos, Angie Visperas and yours truly—37 years.

“Members will remain in the club, once they are bitten by the Rotary Bug.”

There were also those who went ahead of us in life, who also attained much longer memberships, the likes of PP Ding Bautista—50 years, PP Moon Munsayac, PP Fred Benson, PDG Ikong Reyes, PDG Nanding Manalo, Teddy Almonia and others—all over 40 years as member.

Other members presently with us who also doing great in staying power, going on 15, 20, 25 years like PP Doming Valencia, PP Benny Sunga, PP Veeh Balajo, PP Diony Claridad, PP Lito Pangilinan, PP Roger Naz, PP Angeling Palma, PP Alfred Lagyo, PP Linda Winter, Joey Bugayong, Rolly De Guzman, Ike Dulnoan, Herb Hayes, PP Chris Peralta among others.

One reason why our club has so many longtime members is that our club itself has existed for 69 years to date. Members who joined 30-35 years ago seem to be more dedicated and committed to the ideals of Rotary; hence, their staying power. Commitment and dedication to serve is the true key to a meaningful Rotary membership.

My experience and observation in our club, is that it takes five years of continued attendance and serving in various capacities on the many programs and projects of our club before a new member can be imbued with the true spirit of Rotary entering his blood stream. Once he survives this 5-year test, then it is safe to say that he has the will power to “stick-to-it-ness” in Rotary.

In my 37 years in our club, 50 to 60 new members have joined and gone thru the years. Sayang. If only 50% of those stayed, then we would have 70 to 80 active members today. It is sad, that all the efforts of recruiting and indoctrinating prospects at our fireside chats, serving food and drinks sometimes up to midnight at the host’s abode—all these gone to naught because most of these new recruits stay only a few months or at most one to two years. Our club cannot be faulted by this sad reality. Retention is a problem worldwide in Rotary but we must keep on trying in order to grow. In my early years, our club had about 65 to 70 members,
now down to 42 only. Not a healthy prognosis.

Members who most likely will not stay long are: those who were asked to join by their boss members; when the boss goes, so goes the recruits. Those asked to join to be with the barkada in the club, but not really serious to be Rotarians. Those who come in for the money, thinking they can expand their businesses in the club. In Rotary, it is the other way around—you give, not take. Those who are always delinquent in attendance and in club dues and assessments. Those who want to be named “Rotarian” but not willing to serve in club activities and affairs (Luncheon Rotarians). Those with low tolerance with fellow members, easily hurt, onion-skinned (pikun). Those who give precedence to their jobs, before Rotary; thus frequently absent. All these I witnessed happening in our club. Only death and transfer of residence are the unavoidable excuses for dropout.

Now to answer the question “Why I am still in Rotary” this long. Simple. Rotary has entered into my blood stream and I cannot get it out.