Janesville Noon Rotary Club
About Our Club
Janesville Rotary Club Avenues of Service
Club Service
As Rotarians, service to one's club is multi-faceted. Attendance, membership development, program development, public relations, and extending fellowship within the club are simple examples. Dedication to club projects, stepping up to serve in a committee leadership role, and participation in district, regional, or international conferences are all examples of the ways Rotarians expand their level of service to the club.Attendance is a function of Club service. Rotary expects at least 70% attendance, and members need to be reminded of the need to attend meetings and be involved in the activities of the Club. To makeup at another Rotary Club is encouraged. Attendance at another Rotary Club or at other meetings of our club can be used as a makeup for a meeting missed 2 weeks prior, or 2 weeks after the meeting that is missed. Attendance at Board meetings, committee meetings, and other functions of Rotary can count as a makeup.
Classification is necessary in Rotary, so we have a person responsible for giving each new member a classification according to the type of business they are involved in. Members who change positions or change to a different career need to report changes to the Club Service chairman so that a correct classification can be assigned.
Our Janesville Club provides a bulletin to members weekly by E-Mail, fax, or hard copy through the mail. The bulletin editor is responsible for taking notes from meetings and writing the bulletin information promptly so that all members, including those who are unable to make the weekly meeting to find out what happened at the last meeting and what programs are planned for future meetings.
Fellowship events are part of Club service. In the past we have had outings to Milwaukee Brewers, The Armory Dinner Theatre, and an Annual Golf Social. Fellowship groups may also develop around a particular area of interest, such as Wine Enthusiast, Golfers, Scout Volunteers, or Motorcycling. Fellowships are encouraged and most have an international following.
Membership development is an area of Club service. This involves encouraging members to sponsor new members from the community. Members should look for unfulfilled classifications that could be filled by making contact with individuals that may qualify for membership.
Public Relations is part of Club service. Keeping our activities in front of the public through radio, newspaper, or other media are important activities.
Vocational Service
As business leaders, Rotarians share their skills and expertise through Vocational Service. Vocational service efforts play a vital role in improving the quality of life for those hardworking members of the community who need direction and expertise. Activities might include mentoring, career days, vocational awards, business assistance, or even talking about your job at a club meeting. It mean turning ones experience into an invaluable resource for others.
Boy Scout Career Day is an activity that our Club sponsors in which the Boy Scouts arrange and co-ordinate speakers to go and talk to Milton High School students regarding various careers. A Boy Scout representative helps link the student with other programs that will help them get into the career of their choice.
High School Scholarships: Annually a committee of Rotarian volunteers selects worthy students from applications filled out at Janesville Craig, Parker, and Milton High Schools to further their education. In addition, the Club also awards a scholarship to a non-traditional student enrolled at The University of Wisconsin - Rock County.
Senior Honors Luncheon: Each year our club hosts seniors from our high schools who belong to the National Honor Society, at one of our noon meetings, with a speaker appropriate for the occasion. Our scholarships are announced at this meeting.
Students of the Month: During the school year from October through May, two students from Craig, Parker and Milton high school attend our weekly meetings for a month. These students learn about Rotary, and what our service club does in the community.
International Service
International Service responds to the needs in our global community. It may be individual service direct one on one support, service through an organization such as a church or community group, or it may be service through an international service project developed by ones Rotary Club. Participation in Rotary Youth Exchange, the Rotary Foundation, or Group Study Exchange helps to strengthen our global community.
International Service Projects: International service has taken many forms in the Club. We have participated in provide water wells in Haiti, temporary shelter through Shelter Box, and food for the hungry through Kids Against Hunger.
Group Study Exchange: Our Club participates in hosting groups from other countries who come and learn about business in our country. Teams include 5-6 Non-Rotarian visitors and a Rotarian Group Leader. The exchange is complete when a team from our Rotary District is selected and visits the exchange country. Rotarians may have the opportunity to host visitors for up to a week as they complete a month long visit of our District.
Community Service
Community Service responds to the needs of a local community. It may be individual service direct one on one support, service through an organization such as a church or community group, or it may be service through a Rotary service project. Service Projects are deemed to be effective if they respond to real issues, improve the lives of community members, incorporate the abilities of those who are served, recognize all participants' contributions as important and necessary, come from a realistic assessment of resources available, aim for specific goals and objectives with measurable results, and build a working network.
Badger Boys State & Badger Girls State: The Club sponsors 2 boys and 2 girls to attend this important leadership event held each year.
Washington Seminar: The Club is a sponsor this program, which involves Parker High School students and their study of a particular political or social topic. The students study their topic, they then visit Washington, D.C. to meet with our elected officials and their staff, and upon return they complete a report outlining their findings. An annual presentation to the Club is a favorite of Club Members.
Camp Rotamer: Our local Camp Rotamer has been a project of our Rotary Club since 1928. Click here to learn more about Camp Rotamer.
Rotary Botanical Gardens: Rotary Gardens is another Community Service project which we support with money and Rotarian volunteer time. An internationally themed botanical garden attracting visitors from around the world, was the vision of Rotarian, Bob Yahr. Click here to learn more about Rotary Botanical Gardens.
New Generations Service
New Generations Service is Rotary's newest Avenue of Service. This Avenue recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities such as RYLA, Rotaract and Interact Club service projects, and creating international understanding with Rotary Youth Exchange.
Rotary Youth Exchange: The Janesville Rotary Club sponsors at least two inbound students each year. These students from around the World are 16-18 years of age and attend our local high schools and stay in 3-4 different homes for the year they are in Janesville. Our "Youth Exchange Officer" helps find homes while the students are here, and assigns a counselor for each student. Rotarians are encouraged to take students for outings, dinners, and other activities. This helps them learn how we live and allows them to share in our normal family activities. Host families do not have to be Rotary members, so families in our area are solicited to participate in this program.
The Janesville Rotary Club also sponsors outbound students to spend a year in other countries. Area students are encouraged to apply for sponsorship. Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) - Local High School Students who have competed their sophomore year are selected annually to attend this leadership training in Northern Wisconsin.