Haveria um Problema ou uma Oportunidade de Gerações em Rotary? Deveria haver um limite de idade?

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s there a generational problem in Rotary? We need younger Rotarians, no doubt, but should there be an age limit for new, but older Rotarians?

Being a Rotarian for more than21 years now and having served as president in two different clubs I still don't have a solution for the continuous and healthy growth of Rotary clubs.
Sure, we strive to have the young "leaders" of our community among us, the engaged business women and men, the doctors and so on. But those potential members are "leaders" because they engage heavily in their professions and often just form a family, build a home, maybe move from job to job. Hard for them to fulfill the Rotary obligations especially when it comes to attending meetings regularly or engaging in time-consuming club activities.

On the other side we often meet highly competent retired people who, in their mid-fifties or early-sixties, are healthy, active, willing to engage themselves. They have time and money, share the Rotarian values but are "too old" to join Rotary.
At least in many German RCs an age limit of 50+ has been established for new members in order to keep the clubs from reaching a too high average age (in my club it is 63 yrs. with 72 members!)
Any thoughts or ideas??

5 months ago

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You, Kari Tallberg, Patrick Byrne and 12 others like this

Kari Tallberg, Patrick Byrne and 12 others like this

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Caroline Roddis

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Caroline Roddis • I'd just like to say a quick thank you for all your kind words, it's Rotarians like you that make me glad to have joined this wonderful organisation. Keep up the good work everyone!
3 months ago

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KapilStop Following Follow Kapil

Kapil Gupta • May be that's why being a Rotarian is so important and matter of pride, that you can manage both profession and one's obligations to society. As for managing club average age, its a matter of planning by Sr. members of the club.
3 months ago

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Troy Alexander

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Troy Alexander • I think we should be encouraging people to join no matter what their age. If they have the will, desire and ability to serve and be productive members of the club then they should be allowed to join regardless. People in their 20's and 30's are very much wanting to be involved in serving their communities. I joined Rotary when I was 28 and 9 years later I am a Past-President, Past PETS Workshop Leader, District Visioning Facilitator, Assistant Governor and just returned from a Rotaplast Mission overseas. All of this was possible because someone believed in me enough to propose me for membership in Rotary. We should be encouraging younger people to join as they are our future leaders.
3 months ago

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Alejandro Criado Sánchez

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Alejandro Criado Sánchez • I totally agree. I am a Rotary member since 3 months ago and I realize that the age average is nearly the sixty´s. I understand that the limit of minimum age shouldn´t depend of the age but on the potential value as a member.
3 months ago

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JerryStop Following Follow Jerry

Jerry Quinlan • There shouldn't be age requirements. If a person is able and willing to contribute to a Rotary organization, then so be it. Yes, it would be great to have young people, but many of them are raising families or trying to establish careers and seem to pass up the opportunities that rotary can offer, regardless where we are located. We as rotarians need to remember "Service Above Self" is the key ingredient for recruiting and must be emphasized in our efforts to retain or recruit individuals.
3 months ago

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James Martin

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James Martin • At 39 I am generally classed as one of the "younger ones" in my District, however my view is that it is not about the actual age of the Rotarian but about what they can bring to our organisation and how much they are looking to gain from becoming a member.

Just as a note, in the UK (and I believe other EU countries) to restrict membership on the basis of age would be deemed as against the law and very much discriminatory.
2 days ago

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PhilStop Following Follow Phil

Phil Henry • I cannot imagine a policy which eliminates membership for those over any given age, whether it be 50, 60 or even 75. Our club has flourished with members in their 70's and beyond, and it has not created a problem in attracting younger members. Clubs certainly have their individual characteristics. I was for 29 years a member of one of the largest clubs in California, then after retirement became a charter member (and a President) of one of the smallest - in a rural community. I cannot see the point of either minimum or maximum ages. As others have stated - Service is the point and the ability to serve has no age limits.
23 hours ago

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Durval Olivieri

Durval Olivieri • Greetings.// ...I do think now that we have a generation OPPORTUNITY in Rotary. If we reach within Rotary and ourselves, we will find good minds and experienced and hearty people. Just what younger people like. We do have about one million and one hundred thousand good Rotarians with over forty years of age. Age creates a vacuum…//Therefore, if we open up our minds and our hearts and if we pull out our values and strengths, we will have the right environment for attracting a similar number of about one more million of young professionals making Rotary sustainable in the longer run and serving better humanity now. First we have to embrace our families - that’s where the young people are. Promoting diversity by attracting spouses to Rotary. They do have better insight into the ways younger people think and act. I am sure all younger professionals of high quality will agree to our principles. But I am also sure they would suggest many a change in procedures to be able to dedicate to our Rotary their TIME and PRESENCE.//I would invite you to reading the presentation by the young Rotarian K. Ischkin in the San Diego Assembly, January, 2011.//Best regards, Durval Olivieri, D4550 Brazil.
Rotary site- http://www.rotary.org/en/mediaandnews/news/pages/110120_ia_ischkin.aspx and video - http://vimeo.com/20034308 rotary sumary K. Ischkin, president and founder of the RC of South Metro Minneapolis Evenings, MINN, …onto a new approach to Rotary. //…abridged… As a "proud, young, female Rotarian," she is among only 2 percent of club members worldwide under the age of 30, and only 11 percent under 40. //"We need to focus on generating interest in young people for the future success of Rotary," she said. "We are faced today with the need to grow not just for the sake of numbers but to create strong, young, global leaders who are going to help continue the success of the Rotary organization."//She advocates a new outlook on membership and a different approach to club structure. As a change management consultant, she said she understands people's fear of change. But she stressed that her approach doesn't mean altering the core pieces of the organization or losing what Rotarians hold dear… abridged… //Manage expectations//She club meets in the evening and lowers costs by not having meals. And it doesn't hold a traditional meeting every week: The third meeting of the month is a happy hour/networking event at different locations in the city, and the fourth meeting is a hands-on volunteering opportunity. //She added that it's important to understand the mindset of the new generation and manage expectations accordingly. Younger people are "always on the go and truly connected," she explained, whether it’s through social networking, text messaging, or other means. They face a lot of pressure to be involved in multiple endeavors and to balance work and personal life. As a result, they may be "on call" with their careers, but they are no less dedicated to service. Abridged…. "Not every Rotary club can quickly shift gears to attract younger members; it takes time and baby steps." //But for many clubs, she said, "all it takes is opening up your minds and starting to think differently about the future of your club's membership." //unquote
21 hours ago

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NanStop Following Follow Nan

Nan McCreadie • We need people who are going to make good Rotarians. Are we becoming ageist in all directions?
8 hours ago

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Jessica von Goeler

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Jessica von Goeler • Like James & Troy, I am a 'younger' Rotarian with a breadth Rotary experience already behind me. I have also just started a family (GULP) and am still establishing my career. Sometimes, it really is hard for me to stay involved in Rotary with all the other demands I have. "Service Above Self" keeps me committed (good point Jerry).

I have found the older members, whether new since I joined (2005) or very senior in Rotary tenure, have been fantastic. They have helped me be a better member and succeed in Rotary. They are rich with resources good for Rotary- experience, insight, connections, time, and etc.

I am so glad my mentors, family friends, and very committed, active Rotarians have not been excluded from joining because of their age. They have so much to offer and want to give.

Based on my experience and observations, I don't think there should be an age limit.
7 hours ago

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Durval Olivieri

Durval Olivieri • I noticed some Rotary Clubs have age limits.
That might work out well for the Cubs but it does not wortk well for aged people. Some rotarians I know in my Rotary Club are over eighty years old and they still serve well our Community and they are exceptional fellows. They take part in meetings, and they even take the floor and make seeches of value.
Looking froma different point of view Rotary serves them as a self-esteem and self-actualization enviornment. The activity they have there is good for their health.
New Generations in Rotary does not men only YOUNG people. It mens also having old persons being active in service.
Thanks
Durval
Bahia
Brazil
1 second ago

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