Joining community groups is a great way to meet other business people in your community, improve the lives of others and gain personal fulfillment.
There are thousands of community groups across Canada, serving a variety of interests.
If you’re looking for a place to meet people regularly and work within your community here are a few suggestions:
> Rotary International
Known as the Rotary Club, Rotary International raises funds for a variety of causes and offers opportunities to hear from other community members.
Rotary International says its goal is to bring business and professional people together to provide humanitarian service around the world. It has more than 33,000 clubs globally with approximately 1.2 million members. Most clubs meet once a week for lunch. At the meetings members discuss fundraising endeavours and listen to guest speakers, who are often local politicians or community leaders.
Bonnie Caldarozzi, president of Rotary Club Halifax North says she enjoys Rotary Club because it does impressive in the community without a excessive bureaucracy and without religious affiliation.
Currently, Rotary International is working on the “end polio now” campaign, in cooperation with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The campaign’s goal is to eradicate the disease around the world. As well, individual members or local clubs can raise funds for specific causes; those funds are matched by the Rotary International foundation. Caldarozzi’s club, for example, has held fundraising events to help people in Sierra Leone.
Members pay an annual fee, which varies from club to club. If you are interested in joining, call your local Rotary Club or visit www.rotary.org.
> Kiwanis
Some organizations, such Kiwanis, are more specific in the demographic groups they help.
Kiwanis is dedicated to improving the lives of children in terms of health and living standards. Kiwanis works in 80 nations and raises more than $100 million every year. Recently, the organization launched a major fundraising campaign with UNICEF called the Eliminate Project, with the goal of eradicating maternal and neonatal tetanus.
John Button of Ridgetown, Ont., an international trustee and lifetime member of Kiwanis, says one of the big events his local club organizes is the Santa Clause parade. This year marked the 63rd anniversary of that parade in his community.
Kiwanis is about fun, fellowship and service to children, says Button. “If people aren’t having fun you’re not going to get them to serve.”
For information on joining, visit www.kiwanis.org.
> Toastmasters
If you’re interested in improving your public speaking skills, Toastmasters can help you find your voice.
Toastmasters helps individuals of all ages improve their communication and leadership skills in more than 12,000 clubs worldwide, with more than 260,000 members.
Members meet for an hour or two once a week. They work through communication and leadership booklets, present speeches and receive constructive feedback from others on how they can improve.
Randie Jacobs, District 60 governor covering Toronto to Fenlon Falls to Napanee, the most remarkable aspect part of the organization is the transformation people experience ass a result of the program’s supportive environment.
Some newcomers shake and stutter through their first speech, says Jacobs. But eventually she sees the same members become confident and skilled presenters who become more successful in their professional lives as a result.
There is an annual fee of less than $100 per year. For information, check out Toastmasters’ website at www.toastmasters.org.
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