by: Karl Angelo Robles
While Rotary is often recognized for its large-scale humanitarian projects, the month of January is dedicated to the very foundation upon which the organization was built: Vocational Service. This month serves as a strategic period for clubs worldwide to refocus on how professional life and service intersect, emphasizing that one’s career is not separate from their commitment to doing good.
The emphasis on vocational service is a nod to Rotary’s origin story. When Paul Harris founded the first club in 1905, the membership professional group fostered friendship and fellowship among business people of diverse backgrounds.
Today, celebrating Vocational Service Month ensures that Rotarians do not lose sight of this heritage. It reinforces the idea that a member’s most significant contribution to society isn’t just the money they donate, but the integrity they bring to their workplace every day.
Vocational Service is one of the Avenue of Service and it remains critical to the organization for several reasons:
● Feature – Impact on the Community
● Mentorship – Rotarians, even Rotaractors, use their career experience to guide youth and young professionals through career counseling and Internships.
● Economic Development – By promoting ethical business practices, Rotarians help create a more stable and trustworthy local economy.
● Dignity of Labor – Rotary challenges the social hierarchy by asserting that every profession, from the janitor to the surgeon, provides a vital service to society
In the world of Rotary, Vocational Service Month is the bridge between a member’s private life and their public service. It discourages the compartmentalization of morality, suggesting instead that being a volunteer is a full-time commitment. When a Rotarian/Rotaractor acts ethically in a business transaction, they are performing an act of service just as surely as if they were building a well or distributing food.
Ultimately, January is a reminder that the workplace is the most frequent and fertile ground for a Rotarian to demonstrate “Service Above Self”.
