Bringing Vocational Service To Life
Posted by Sean Paddy on Jan 27, 2017
As part of Rotary’s guiding principles and the Avenues of Service, Vocational Service calls on Rotarians to empower others by using their unique skills and expertise to address community needs and help others discover new vocational opportunities and interests. While January is Rotary’s Vocational Service Month and an excellent time to reflect on how your club and district implement the concept of Vocational Service, its never too late and there is never a wrong time for your club to start a new Vocational Service project.
Here are some examples of Rotarians using their vocations and expertise to meet their community’s needs:
- For the past decade, the Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise, California, USA, has supported a local career center. Club members have been trained to facilitate a series of workshops designed to help adults re-enter the workforce after experiencing trauma or tragedy in their personal and professional lives. Members coach center attendees on applying for jobs, interview skills, business culture and etiquette, body language in the business environment, setting goals, and dressing for success. The final phase of the initiative is a day of building self-esteem and includes a graduation, new business attire, haircuts, manicures, and massages for the participants.
- The Rotary Club of Madras Industrial City, Tamil Nadu, India, held a career guidance workshop for its Interact club to help students discover their interests. The district vocational service chair arranged a half-day interactive session for students to form career goals and plan for their future vocations. A special workshop was conducted for girls, and the project benefited more than 200 students.
- In Nigeria, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield, Rivers State, joined with a local organization to host a free training program for impoverished people on making handicrafts such as beads and soap, baking sweets, and repairing computers. At the end of the training, 13 participants received grants to start their own businesses.
- The E-Club of Tamar Hong Kong in China organized seminars for youth in their community aimed at teaching them to balance everyday life and a career. Members of the club shared insights on different industries such as travel, jewelry, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. Youth were also taught to write a resume, cover letter and offered suggestions for successful interviews.
Other Vocational Service Stories from around the world include:
- Inspiring others through vocational service - Azka Asif, RI Programs Staff
- Leveraging our vocational skills to help disadvantaged youth succeed - Rotary Club of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
- Combining vocational service and fellowship - Rotary Club of North Shore (Houston), Texas
- Bringing vocational service to life through club projects - Rotary Club of Bentonville, AR
- Inspire the next generation through vocational service - Daniel Seddiqui, Founder of Living the Map
Stories about vocational service can inspire club and district service projects. Post your club’s vocational service project on Rotary Showcase and join the conversation in My Rotary’s Vocational Service discussion group.