Promote vocational service

Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is the right thing to do.

During January, vocational service calls on us to empower others by using our unique skills and expertise to address community needs and help others discover new professional opportunities and interests. January is Rotary’s Vocational Service Month, a great time to leverage vocational service through your club projects and activities, imbibing the spirit of our Four-Way-Test.

I urge each one of you to practise vocational excellence on two fronts — your personal contribution and commitment, and second, through your club activities.

Here are five ways you can incorporate vocational service in your club activities:

• Devote a meeting in January to examine the second Avenue of Service, including the Four-Way Test and the Declaration of Rotarians in Business and Professions.
• Introduce a “mini-classifications talk” series in which each member gives a five-minute talk on his/her vocation.
• Present a vocational award to someone in the community who has exemplified outstanding professional achievements while maintaining very high ethical standards.
• Invite experts to give a presentation on the vocational needs of the community and develop a project in response to those needs. Possible projects could focus on developing character, providing career information to youth, mentoring small businesses, or organising workshops that provide employees with new skills.
• Encourage club members to put their vocational skills to work as Rotary volunteers.

Here are five ways you can incorporate vocational service in your personal capacity:

• Join a Rotarian Action Group and support service projects across the world.
• Practise your profession with integrity, and inspire others to behave ethically through your words and actions.
• Work with local businesses to create mentorship, internship, or practical opportunities to help young people achieve their career goals.
• Guide and encourage others in their professional development.
• Participate in a vocation-related Rotary Friendship Exchange.

I urge you not to become a man of success, but a man of value.

Kamal Sanghvi,
RI Director, 2019-21