Rotary Alumni
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For the purposes of this page, 'Rotary Alumni' refers to those people who have been selected for, and taken part and completed (graduated) involvement with the programmes of Rotary International, the Rotary Foundation and / or programmes run by Rotary Districts.“Your connection to Rotary doesn’t end after your program; it’s just the beginning. You are instantly plugged into a global network of influencers, community and business leaders, people who have immense resources to help you create and foster change throughout your career. So many doors have been opened to me because I’m affiliated with Rotary.”
— Andy Stoll, past Rotary Scholar
— Andy Stoll, past Rotary Scholar
You are a Rotary International / Foundation alum if you participated in any of the following programs at any time (even if many years ago):
Rotary alumni are individuals who have experienced Rotary through various programs, including, but not limited to:
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and many others.
Added to this are district programmes such as Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment, Rotary Australia New Zealand Matched Student Exchange and similar.
Note that each district has their own information and application processes and contact so please go to the appropriate Rotary District for this.
ALUMNI CAN CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED
You just have to ask. Alumni can ask Rotary "what next" and Rotary can invite Alumni to continue involvement. Most districts have Alumni initiatives for the purpose of:
- Establishing and maintaining a common bond among alumni
- Providing a connection enabling alumni to network with one another and with Rotarians
- Linking the vocational interests of alumni with similar interests of Rotarians and other alumni
- Providing opportunities for involvement in Rotary educational and humanitarian service projects
- Facilitating membership in Rotary clubs, including e-clubs
Some examples:
- Rotary Youth Exchange students invited to apply for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
- Rotary Youth Leadership Award participants giving back to their sponsoring club by helping with occasional projects
- Rotary Youth Leadership Award participants invited to join Rotary - this is becoming more common and they are really enjoying being Rotarians
- Within Rotary membership there are dozens of Rotarians who are former Rotaractors, RYLArians and other Alumni
Obviously further involvement is subject to the criteria for various programmes or membership but Rotary Alumni have a huge advantage for acceptance.
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"Community service has taught me all kinds of skills and increased my confidence. You go out there and think on your feet, work with others and create something from nothing. That's what life's all about." - Andrew Shue
ROTARY CLUBS ENGAGING ALUMNI
One of the easiest ways for clubs to gain new supporters and members is to encourage the participation of Alumni. This is evidenced if you ask at clubs by the high number of members who are Alumni yet most members are not aware of this. Additionally the number of Rotary leaders who are Alumni is very high.
Applying for a Rotary programme and being accepted does not necessarily mean the applicant is interested in Rotary per see - they are interested in the programme itself.
Interesting Alumni in Rotary is a process that starts at the first contact. There are many ways to approach this but here are some to consider:
Before:
- Make sure the invitation to apply and all documentation is professional-looking, includes correct Rotary branding and contains a obvious club contact who remains consistent throughout the life-span of the programme being applied for; this must include both a name, phone number and an email.
- Provide all applicants with a brief summary of what Rotary is and about the club, especially something about the projects the club does. Remember that to a varying extent, the successful applicant will be an Ambassador for your club to others
- During the interview process provide again an overview of Rotary and the club and invite questions about this.
- Make sure that the applicant knows and agrees that they will have the obligation to talk of their experiences on the programme to the club after the event and that these and any pictures etc may be used in club publicity. Also that the club will retain their contact details for the purpose of Rotary staying in periodic contact. This might be best stated on the application form.
- For successful RI / Foundation programme candidates ensure a Program Profile is created in My Rotary (see Links below for guide)
During:
- Depending on the programme, it may be appropriate for the candidate to have club information and contacts with them (eg. less appropriate for RYPEN but a definate for RYE)
- Stay in contact with the candidate during the programme with encouragement and support as needed.
- Publicise the candidate's participation in the programme to those associated with it; examples are staying in touch with RYE families, including pictures and reports in club bulletins and on websites/Facebook.
After:
- The Alumni speaks to the club of their experiences
- Make it clear they are now Rotary Alumni and for Rotary International or Rotary Foundation Alumni only, present them with a Rotary Alumni pin
- Place them onto the club bulletin distribution list
- Make sure their contact details are added to a secure Alumni contact list so always available for club reference
- Invite them to 'Like" your club Facebook page
- Involve them in a club project as soon as possible. Some clubs state an expectation for Alumni, eg. RYLA, to do a project after RYLA that forms part of the application 'agreement'
- As is done in District 9910, consider giving them a “connection” card – complete with Rotary contact points, club details and room for a personal message.
- Involve the Alumni in publicity about the programme and club including asking them to use their own network for this
- IF appropriate, invite them to join the club as a member
- Stay in contact as appropriate but at least once a year. Update your club record of any contact changes and for RI/Foundation Alumni ask that they update their Program Profile on My Rotary (see Links below for guide) - NB: District Officers have access to this information from My Rotary in report form that includes programme name and year for those who have created a Program Profile.
- When seeking applications for other Rotary programmes consider inviting Alumni to apply. An example is the Interactor who becomes RYE who is later invited to apply for RYLA.
- Note that throughout the process the club may have had some contact with other family members, or become aware of those who could be appropach to also participate in the club in some way
Clubs or Districts wanting to creat a form for Alumni to register their interest tio 'Reconnect' could follow the example of District 9920 HERE
Guidance in creating the form is at https://www.clubrunnersupport.com/article/1245-how-do-i-create-a-form-in-google-docs-and-post-it-on-my-webpage
9910
Elaine Mead
9930
Roger Miller
9970
Ken Booth
Coming up 40 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday with a Group Study Exchange Experience that has lasted a life-time.
For reasons I cannot recall, I had decided to learn French. Possibly, I’d probably not got over my Sartre-Camus passion. Back on point; in my Alliance-Francaise group was Rotarian, the late Ken Buchler, a charming man and the MD of the South African French fuel giant, Total.
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"I am on a cyclical journey with Rotary that keeps on giving and is an important part of my life”. – Robbie Francis.
Robbie’s experiences have contributed to an amazing project developing a culture of disability inclusiveness through environmentally, ethically and economically sustainable trade with this illustrated by the documentary at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIoqArGl3qk
For more on her Rotary journey …
Wesley chose to come to New Zealand for his Ambassadorial Scholarship because it “offered the environment that I was looking for along with outdoor activities”. He was joined during the year by his girlfriend and they found that the “Kiwi’s” embraced them and they quickly formed a bond of friendship with the country and their host Rotary club. Their stay was meant to be one year and they ended up staying five. 
It's been just short of five years since I returned back to the U.S. after my life-changing time as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to New Zealand. Prior to my time in NZ, which started in February 2011, I was pretty insistent on a career as a health practitioner but my experiences in New Zealand changed my future direction dramatically ... for the better.
Okay so about Rotary. I have always heard of it but never been involved not until I got my Scholarship last year. The scholarship is amazing and carries a huge honour but what really got me to hold this beautiful image of Rotary is mainly people involved.
My Rotary Exchange in Form 4 (Year 10) literally changed my life and came at just the right moment in my schooling career and gave me my first introduction to leadership and other new skills.
Did you take part in a Rotary programme and enjoy it? Thinking back, was there some part of it that changed you or opened an new opportunity you would not otherwise have had ... or you have a positive experience that is interesting.Please send this to us, along with a picture if possible of you or some activity while on the programme. We are not expecting a finely written prose or long (a paragraph would be OK) ... if, in your own words (even bullet points), you are willing to share with others so more people will be inspired to become involved with Rotary's programmes we would be delighted.
Did you take part in and of Rotary's youth leadership or exchange, vocational or scholarship programmes? Send to cs.bg.robinson@xtra.co.nz