FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How much are meals?
$14 per meeting billed in advance. If you miss a meeting and want credit see, “How can I get a makeup or attendance credit?”
Why do we pass the pot?
We pass the pot to collect contributions for the Club’s Rotary Foundation Account. This money is used to pay first and last $100 towards Paul Harris Fellows, to pay for Youth and Group Study Exchange expenses, and other Foundation expenses. For more information on the Foundation see, “How are our Foundation monies used?” or visit rotary.org
When are dues assessed?
The Rotary year runs from July 1 through June 30. Dues are assessed quarterly: Period 1 (July through September); Period 2 (October through December); Period 3 (January through March) and Period 4 (April through June).
How much is the quarterly assessment?
Each quarter you will be billed for quarterly dues in the amount of $35 along with $25 for the Foundation Assessment. The quarterly dues payment covers $15 for Rotary International Dues, $5 for Rotary District 5730 dues and club operating costs. The Foundation Assessment is the Club’s fundraising mechanism to achieve Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY).
How are our Foundation monies used?
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International supports humanitarian, cultural and educational projects worldwide. Members can also make direct donations to the RI Rotary Foundation through pledges, Paul Harris Fellow and other contributions. Members may opt out of the Foundation Assessment by notifying the Club President in writing of their desire to do so.
When are dues payments due?
Quarterly membership dues are payable on or before the end of the first month of each quarter (July 31st, September 30th, January 31st and April 30th). Past due amounts will be billed as a Prior Balance on the next quarterly billing statement. Any member who does not pay a prior balance and the current quarter’s dues within 60 days from the beginning of the current quarter will have their membership terminated. The Board of Directors will consider special circumstances, on a case-by-case basis, in order to assist members in bringing membership dues accounts current.
What is the Rotary attendance policy?
Rotary members are expected to attend meetings each week. The Club meets at 12:00pm on Fridays in the Acacia Room at the Amarillo West Country Club. Members can earn make up and attendance credits for meetings they might have to miss in a variety of ways. Visit our Web site www.amarillowestrotary.org or our bulletin for information on local and e-club meetings. Visit www.rotary.org for information on worldwide meeting dates and locations.
How can I get makeup or attendance credit?
Rotary International policy requires the makeup be done at any time within 14 days before or after the usual time for that meeting.
Some of the ways that count for a credit are: attendance at another Rotary Club meeting anywhere in the world, attendance at a Board of Directors meeting, attendance at a Rotary sponsored service event, attendance at Rotary International meetings or other RI-sanctioned conferences or programs, attendance at District meetings, programs or conferences.
To get make up credit, the member must attend another Club's weekly meeting; with the exception of e-club. A make up credit will result in an attendance credit and a $10 credit towards the member's monthly meal charges. Any other form of makeup, including e-club, will result in an attendance credit only. Make ups must be in writing and given to the Club Secretary for proper credit to be given.
What is a leave of absence and how do I apply for one?
If a member’s circumstances such as illness, sabbatical or temporary work assignment makes it impossible for him/her to attend meetings or to make up meetings, the member may apply to the Board of Directors for a leave of absence. The written request should be for a specified amount of time and indicate the reasons for the request. The Board of Directors will consider the request at the next regularly scheduled meeting and notify the member of the action taken and the amount of dues for the leave period.
How do I contact the Board of Directors?
The current list of officers is found in the Club Bulletin. The Board meets once a month and the date and time are announced at Club meetings. Members are welcome to attend Board meetings.
Whom can I contact if I have some questions or need to change my address, phone number or e-mail?
In addition to contacting the President or any Board member at a regularly scheduled Club meeting, you may contact the Club’s Executive Secretary Jenny Davis at amarillowestrotary@yahoo.com. You may also visit the Club website at www.amarillowestrotary.org for details on upcoming meetings, other information and a link to the Club office.
How did I get my classification?
All members are given an occupational classification upon application for membership. There can only be one member per classification; you were assigned the most appropriate classification available at the time you joined. If your job changes and you wish a different classification, you should contact the current Classification Committee Chairman.
How can I get actively involved in Club activities?
Each year the President will assign you to one or more committees. The Club sponsors many projects and activities throughout the year. You are encouraged – and indeed welcome – to join in all that interest you.
How do I sponsor a new member?
There are new member forms next to the badge box at each meeting. Any Board member will be happy to assist you if you have any questions about sponsoring a new member.
How are monies spent?
Summary of Service Projects
The Amarillo West Rotary Club has several ongoing projects that not only benefit the local Amarillo, Texas community but we are also committed to projects that allow Amarillo West the opportunity to perform “Service Above Self” in all four Rotary avenues of service. (i.e. community service, vocational service, club service, and international service).
Community Service:
1. YMCA “Rotary Park”: $5,000 contribution made annually to complete a total commitment of $50,000. Amarillo West is in the 9th year of this commitment. Amarillo West hosted a golf tournament in August of 2008 to help raise funds for this annual commitment.
2. Robert E. Lee Elementary School Book Project: after the delivery of each week’s program, the speaker is requested to sign a book on behalf of the Amarillo West Rotary Club. These signed books are then presented to the library at Robert E. Lee Elementary School which would be considered one of Amarillo’s more economically disadvantaged schools.
3. Personalized Books for Kindergarten Students: Along with the other three Amarillo Rotary Clubs, Amarillo West presents personalized school books to the Kindergarten students at selected Elementary Schools. This effort is funded in part by the Rotary District 5730 District Simplified Grant.
4. High Plains Food Bank: Amarillo West provides several volunteers on a Saturday morning to help sort food products for further distribution.
5. Salvation Army: Amarillo West provides “Bell Ringer” volunteers to help the Salvation Army with their collection of donations during the Christmas Season.
6. Habitat for Humanity Project: Amarillo West donates annually to assist with projects. Eventually the club would like to assist with the construction of a habitat house.
7. Amarillo Independent School District Tree Planting Project: Amarillo West donates annually to the school district for the purchase and nurturing of saplings. Once a year we go out and plant trees on an AISD campus.
8. Tascosa High Scholarships: We give 4 scholarships to seniors each year.
9. America Supports You Texas: Donated money on behalf of our club’s military service veterans to support the Texas Panhandle Honor Flight.
10. Rainbow Room: Club assists Child Protective Services by donating goods for abused and neglected children that are waiting for foster care.
11. Thanksgiving Baskets: Club takes up donations to provide baskets for needy families locally.
12. Christmas Baskets: Club takes up donations to provide gifts for needy families.
13. In conjunction with our International Project we are looking to have our partner club reciprocate with a project TBD locally.
14. RYLA: We try to send four kids each year
15. Diabetic Camp: We sponsor at least two kids each year.
16. Support local Boy and Girl Scouts: Provide donations annually
Vocational Service:
1. Mentoring Program: Along with the other Amarillo Rotary Clubs, Amarillo West participates in the Amarillo Independent School District’s “Mentoring Program” whereby Rotarians volunteer their time to help high school students learn more about potential professions.
2. Medical “Career Day”: In partnership with the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Amarillo West participates in a “medical career day” to help inform interested high school students learn more about career opportunities in medical field. This event is very well attended.
3. Mentoring program in conjunction with the Golden Spread Council of the Boy Scouts of America: Club provides speakers for mentoring workshops at Bushland High School.
Club Service:
1. Special Club Events: Amarillo West schedules two to three events outside the club to help build greater friendship and fellowship among its members and their respective families. For example, Amarillo West hosted a Christmas Party at the Amarillo Club in December of 2007. This event was one of the best attended events ever hosted by Amarillo West for its members that occurred outside of a regular scheduled meeting.
2. Birthday Cards: Amarillo West has a committee that sends birthday cards to all members.
3. Weekly Bulletin Committee
4. Website Design and Maintenance
International Service:
1. Paul Harris Awards to benefit Rotary Foundation
2. Cruise Ticket Sales to benefit Rotary Foundation
3. Group Study Exchange: Amarillo West regularly helps with this project by taking the GSE team to the Big Texan Steak Ranch to help provide local fun and entertainment.
4. Youth Exchange: We have one child the club is sponsoring this year.
5. International Bed Netting Project: Club is looking to partner with a club in Accra, Ghana to provide bed netting to families in Ghana. The club is looking to utilize district and international grants to fund this project.