service Areas
Since 1910, the Rotary motto has been Service Above Self. The object of Rotary is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.” Rotary is, above all, a service organization.
Rotary strives to achieve the objective of Service Above Self through activities in five primary areas, often referred to as the Five Avenues of Service. These focus areas form the philosophical and practical framework for the work of the Rotary Club of Birmingham.
Club Service
Service of members within RCB promotes the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service. It involves the activities necessary to make the Club function successfully and achieve its goals. Members are expected to maintain regular attendance at meetings, serve as volunteers on committees as requested by the President or members of the Board of Directors, volunteer to serve as greeters at meetings, help the Club in efforts to appropriately grow the membership and to lend individual talents to Club functions. The Club Service Committee develops and coordinates the internal workings of the club, and orients new club members on the duties, responsibilities, traditions, and history of the Club.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Rotarians are committed to improving quality of life through service to their community and strive to promote the ideal of service in their personal, business, and community lives. Particular emphasis is given to those most in need of assistance. In the more than 100 years since RCB’s founding, members have played prominent roles in providing leadership to such civic enterprises as the local Red Cross, Community Chest/United Way, and the Chamber of Commerce/Birmingham Business Alliance. RCB has been directly involved in a number of community projects, including, most recently, the building of the Rotary Trail, a transformational Centennial legacy gift to the City of Birmingham. The Community Service Committee devises and implements plans for RCB members to serve in the community. Current and recent community service projects include:
ACT Prep Program with Birmingham City Schools
Friends of Rotary Trail
Holiday Boarding Home Project
Preschool Learning Initiative
Salvation Army Red Kettle Collection
Scholarships for Birmingham City Schools Students
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Rotarians strive for the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through worldwide fellowship of business leaders and professionals united in the ideal of service. International Service Projects are designed to meet the humanitarian needs of people around the world, with focused efforts supporting the most underprivileged children and families in developing countries.
RCB’s commitment to International Service involves learning about other countries, cultures, and issues through programs and international service projects. The International Service Committee plans and conducts projects to address the needs of communities in other countries, often supporting special efforts of the Rotary International Foundation. Recent endeavors include:
The End Polio Now Program
Cervical Cancer Elimination Project in Sri Lanka
NEW GENERATIONS SERVICE
Rotarians recognize the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, involvement in community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and understanding. RCB helped to establish the Rotaract Club of Birmingham for emerging leaders in the Birmingham area. RCB members engage in programs such as the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Rotaract and Interact club service projects, the Rotary Youth Exchange and Youth Peacebuilding. The New Generations Committee coordinates programming between RCB and the Rotaract Club of Birmingham, that promote vocational leadership, collaborative service, professional development, and fellowship.
The New Generations Committee coordinates the participation of RCB members in several Rotaract programs, including:
Professional Partners – Rotarians and Rotaractors are paired for vocational, social, civic, professional development, and relationship-building activities.
Rotary Roundtables – Rotarians speak and answer questions on specific vocational/industry segments for an audience of Rotaractors.
VOCATIONAL SERVICE
Each Rotarian bears the responsibility to represent the dignity and utility of their vocation as an opportunity to serve society.
The Vocational Service Committee plans activities that encourage RCB members to serve others through their professions, and to practice high ethical standards and promote vocational relationships. Rotarians, as business leaders, share skills and expertise through their vocations and inspire others in the process. Vocational Service efforts are focused on providing mentoring and essential workplace skills training to students in the Birmingham City Schools through partnership with the Birmingham Promise, the Birmingham Education Foundation, and BCS.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) - an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary Clubs and districts where youth develop leadership skills while having fun and making connections. District 6860 organizes an annual RYLA Space Camp experience at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL and RCB sponsors students to participate.
