Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary Vocational Services Director

The second of the four Avenues of Service, Vocational Service fosters and supports the application of the Ideal of Service in pursuit of all vocations.

Vocational service is both the responsibility of a club and of its members. The role of the club is to implement and encourage the objective by frequent demonstration, by application to its own actions, by example and by development of projects that help members contribute their vocational talents. The role of the members is to conduct themselves, their businesses, and their professions in accordance with Rotary principles and to respond to projects which the club has developed.

"Vocational Service Month" shall be observed annually in October as a special month devoted to vocational service, to emphasize the involvement of each Rotarian, and not just clubs, in the everyday practice of the ideals of vocational service.

Declaration for Rotarians in Businesses and Professions

The 1989 Council on Legislation adopted the following declaration for Rotarians in businesses and professions:

Consider my vocation to be another opportunity to serve;

Be faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the ethical codes of my vocation, to the laws of my country, and to the moral standards of my community;

Do all in my power to dignify my vocation and to promote the highest ethical standards in my chosen vocation;

Be fair to my employer, employees, associates, competitors, customers, the public, and all those with whom I have a business or professional relationship;

Recognize the honor and respect due to all occupations which are useful to society;

Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community;

Adhere to honesty in my advertising and in all representations to the public concerning my business or profession;

Neither seek from nor grant to a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship.

Reproduction and Use of The 4-Way Test

The sole purpose of any reproduction or use of The 4-Way Test should be the development and maintenance of high ethical standards in human relations. Any reproduction should not be a direct part of any advertisement intended to increase sales or profits. It may, however, be used in a letterhead or literature, if done in a way to explain that a sincere attempt is being made to have all of the human relations of the firm, organization, or institution conducted along the lines of The 4-Way Test.

In Section 41.010.4 of Chapter V of the Rotary Code of Policies 2001, it is stated:

Vocational Service Activities

arrange at their own meetings and encourage at meetings of other groups in their communities, programs on cultural, economic and geographical conditions in countries other than their own as a means of helping to overcome possible difficulties arising from language barriers and differences in cultural and social backgrounds as a result of the mass movement of workers from one country to another;

consider taking steps to initiate or support citizens' advisory bureaus for the purpose of assisting new arrivals in the community to integrate into their new environment;

where an eligible and qualified candidate is available, elect a member under the classification "Labor Organizations";

from time to time, invite labor representatives together with representatives of employer organizations, if so desired, to meetings featuring addresses or debates on relevant subjects;

bring to the attention of members the extent to which the policies of states and governments depend upon negotiations and agreements between the leaders of trade associations and union leaders, and the consequent opportunity for club members to play a leading part in their trade associations and thus possibly to influence the establishment of policies in this field.

Vocational Service Committees

The Following responsibilities may be undertaken by one or more Vocational Service Committee members (depending on the size and organization of the club):

Career Development Committee — focuses on helping people gain the skills necessary for employment.

Vocation at Work Committee — oversees projects that increase employment opportunities within the community and promotes positive relations in the workplace.

Vocational Awareness Committee — helps Rotarians learn more about the full spectrum of vocations.

Vocational Awards Committee — recognizes vocational excellence and high ethical standards in the workplace.

Rotary Volunteers Committee — encourages and facilitates Rotarian participation in volunteer activities at the local, district, and international levels.

Source: Club President's Manual - 222EN, Manual of Procedure 2001, Rotary Code of Policies 2001