ZENITH DISTRICT TRAINING ASSEMBLY VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARDS RTN. ASHWIN KUMAR SHETTY March 27, 2016

Vocational Service - the Second of the Five Rotary Avenues of Service is the way Rotary fosters and supports the application of the Ideal of Service

Significance “If we want Rotary to grow, we must keep Vocational Service front and center in our minds and actions” PRIP John Kenny

Emphasis The classification principle – ensures that each club’s membership represents a cross-section of business and professional community. Classification and vocational service go hand in hand. Just as Rotarians represent their vocation in Rotary, so too do they represent Rotary in their vocations.             

Objects Adherence to and promotion of high ethical standards in all occupations (including fair treatment of employers, employees, associates, competitors, and the consumers). The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations (not just those that are pursued by Rotarians). The contribution of our vocational talents to solving the problems of society and meeting the needs of the community

Vocational Excellence Awards are given to achievers of excellence in their chosen fields. Besides recognizing such well known personalities; Clubs also confer Vocational Awards on not so well known individuals, who go beyond the call of their duty - in service to others. To build on Rotary image, Clubs should arrange the Awards functions, as far as possible, in October - the Vocational Service month. As a concerted Rotary PR Exercise, it would be ideal if all Clubs can have these functions in October.

Clubs can come together and hold the Awards Function as District event at a suitable venue. Besides a Presentation on Rotary activities, the Function should be ‘devoted’ to Awardees, to give them, and make them feel, their due importance. Clubs can consider holding the Awards function at the place of work of the Awardees.

GUIDE LINES FOR CLUB VOCATIONAL AWARDS The planning for above should generally start at least 3 months in advance by Director/Chairman Vocational Service who may be assisted by 2 members. It includes identifying suitable candidates, collecting inputs on them, fixing date, time, and venue for award ceremony including identifying guest/chief guest for the function.

Identifying suitable candidates is the MOST IMPORTANT activity Identifying suitable candidates is the MOST IMPORTANT activity. Candidates should be from all walks of Society (Art, Literature, Performing Arts, Sports, Social workers, Education, Environment, Govt., Business, Utility Services Employees, Rural development, Youth, Women and physically challenged etc. Clubs should try to identify awardees, to the extent possible, from the geographical vicinity of the Club or District. Changes can be made in the above guide lines to suit a Club’s specific requirements.

Three months in advance start scanning Local news supplements, Periodicals, Electronic media/media persons and check from own club members if they can suggest any deserving candidates. The same should be approved by the Club President, about one month in advance of the Awards function. After approval, inform the Awardees suitably and get their acceptance in writing and confirmation to attend the function.

Place orders for Trophies and Certificates from recognised vendors incorporating Awardees name & activity at least 2 weeks in advance. Award ceremony should be conducted in a dignified and formal function preferably over lunch / dinner. This allows members/guest/media persons to interact with award winners.

At the award ceremony, the award winner should be called near the Dais/Rostrum. The President or Master of Ceremony reads out the CITATION which has to be brief and crisp. After reading out of Citation, Trophy and/or Certificate are handed over by the Chief Guest. Awardees should be allocated 2/3 minutes to give their response.

Brief introduction of dignitaries on the Dais and a Presentation/Talk on RI/District/Club activities, lasting about 10/15 minutes should be made, before the commencement of award ceremony. Awards Function is an ideal occasion to build up Rotary image, as many Non Rotarians would be present at this occasion.