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Receiving Feedback

As we plan for the second century of Rotary, new ideas and ways of doing things are being introduced - some of which are very different from what we've known as the "norm."  With new and different responsibilities and ways of training sometime come questions, concerns, doubts and criticism.  As  Rotary leaders, we must learn to listen to the critiques and feedback and use the input to improve our communication of ideas.

This article 6 Quick Tips for Receiving Critiques Gracefully was written from the standpoint of a designer, but the "6 Tips" can be applied to us in Rotary as well.  The following are summarized for Rotarians: 


1. Listen
First and foremost, you must listen to the feedback that is being relayed to you, whether you consider it valuable (constructive) or not.  Listening shows respect for the other person.

2. Keep Your Emotions in Check 

It’s tough to hear that someone doesn’t love what we’ve done, but we must keep in mind that everyone sees the world differently...   When receiving feedback from someone, you have to leave your emotions and your attitude aside...Step back and listen to what they have to say. Step away from the situation temporarily if you have to, in order to avoid overreacting and exploding. Becoming defensive is a natural reaction, but will not prove productive.

3. Appreciate New Opinions 

Receiving feedback from others is a great opportunity to see how others view your work. I know what I like and what I think works best, but my client knows their audience better than I do, and may be able to offer some deeper insight into how they will respond...Perhaps the person giving feedback has another /better way of presenting to their district or club.

4. Criticism Management Can Lead to Better Work Relationships

..you can earn respect from others by accepting their feedback in a tasteful manner.
Everyone appreciates it when his or her opinions are being heard and considered. The better you can handle critiques, the more you’ll be respected by the people you work with. When people see that you can handle feedback gracefully, they’ll be more inclined to work with you. And  - cooperative collaboration is critical to the future of Rotary!

5. Remember Who’s Footing the Bill (doing the work of Rotary)

In the end, you are creating something for someone else, and they must be satisfied with the outcome. 
That would be our Rotary clubs!

6. Learn from Others

The most valuable part of receiving critiques gracefully is the opportunity we get to learn from them.  We always learn best from others - sharing new ideas and best practices!



Read the original blog here: 
6 Quick Tips for Receiving Critiques Gracefully

The author of this blog, Shannon Noack, is a designer in Arizona and the Creative Director of Snoack Studios. Designing is her passion in life and she loves to create websites, logos, print work–you name it. I appreciate her insight into "gracefully" receiving critiques.

RI Strategic Plan and Core Values

The Strategic Plan

The RI Board of Directors recently adopted a revised strategic plan for the organization that focuses on promoting the three elements essential to Rotary's future: strong clubs, effective service and a unified and recognized brand.

The Revised Strategic Plan

The Core Values

Rotary's core values represent the guiding principles of the organization's culture, including what guides members' priorities and actions within the organization. Values are an increasingly important component in strategic planning because they drive the intent and direction of the organization's leadership.

Service

We believe that our service activities and programs bring about greater world understanding and peace. Service is a major element of our mission. Through the plans and actions of individual clubs, we create a culture of service throughout our organization that provides unparalleled satisfaction for those who serve.

Fellowship

We believe that individual efforts focus on individual needs, but combined efforts serve humanity. The power of combined efforts knows no limitation, multiplies resources, and broadens our lives and perspectives. Fellowship leads to tolerance and transcends racial, national, and other boundaries.

Diversity

We believe Rotary unifies all people internationally behind the ideal of service. We encourage diversity of vocations within our membership and in our activities and service work. A club that reflects its business and professional community is a club with a key to its future.

Integrity

We are committed to and expect accountability from our leaders and fellow members, both in the results of our efforts and in the processes we use to accomplish our goals. We adhere to high ethical and professional standards in our work and personal relationships. We are fair and respectful in our interactions, and we conscientiously steward the resources entrusted to us.

Leadership

We are a global fellowship of individuals who are leaders in their fields of endeavor. We believe in the importance of leadership development and in leadership as a quality of our members. As Rotarians, we are leaders in implementing our core values.

All of these core values are reflected in the Object of Rotary and The Four-Way Test, which we use in our daily lives. They inspire us to foster and support the ideal of service for developing and maintaining high ethical standards in human relations.

Pilot Club Applications

Just a reminder:

Four new pilot programs will allow participating Rotary clubs to experiment with flexible membership requirements and club operations beginning 1 July. Clubs have until 1 April to submit applications to Rotary International to be considered for a pilot. Information and applications will be sent to each club in early January. Up to 200 clubs will be selected for each pilot. Note that Rotary clubs must have been chartered before 30 June 2009 to be considered.

Be watching for this opportunity! 


For more information about these pilot programs:
Rotary.org: News

Closing the Back Door of Your Rotary Club

In the last six months I've heard many times that the workshop on membership retention was, for many, a highlight of the Montreal Convention. If you missed it, here's the extensive list of ideas that came from the audience. How about sharing these with your club?

"Traveling together to club projects and creating a variety show as a fundraiser were just a couple of the ideas Rotarians offered during a packed workshop on member retention at the 2010 RI Convention in Montréal, Québec, Canada."

memb_retention_ideas_closing_back_door_workshop_en.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Is Santa a Rotarian?

IS SANTA CLAUS A ROTARIAN?
PDG Chris Offer, D5040
Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown

I have long suspected that Santa Claus is a Rotarian. I therefore decided to put my thirty years of police experience to work to discover the truth, after all, I am a trained investigator with a degree in criminology.

Santa needs a Rotary club if he is a Rotarian.  I checked the International Directory and then the RI web site for Where Clubs Meet. Sure enough, I found a possible club. The Rotary Club of North Pole is in District 5010, Alaska, located near Fairbanks. This is a smidgen baffling since everyone knows the real North Pole is in Canada. Santa may prefer to be in the warmer south of Alaska rather than the north. He could also be a member of an E-club but I doubt that as he clearly likes Rotary lunches. 

Next Santa would need a classification. There are several possibilities, Toys-Export, Reindeer-Teamster, Counsellor Pre-Adolescent Behaviour, Toys-Manufacturing or Elf Management.  All valid classifications. There is no indication of a Rotary pin on his jacket but it could be concealed under all that fur trim. If Santa is a Rotarian, he plainly is a 100% attender and has never missed a Rotary lunch. 

The real evidence is, does he act like a Rotarian? Does he put “Service Above Self?” The answer is unequivocally yes. Santa is dedicated to improving the lives of children. He is committed to bringing happiness to children around the world no matter what race, religion, creed or ethnic group they are from. He distributes tens of thousands of books to children to increase literacy and he gives gifts of toys that stimulate young minds to achieve their full potential. He volunteers as a mentor, spending countless hours at shopping malls listening to children’s secret wishes. Santa without question works to realize the Object of Rotary.

The only conclusion that can be reached is, “Yes, Virginia, Santa Claus is a Rotarian! I just hope he does a make up at my club this year!

Reprinted with permission of PDG Chris Offer

Great Ideas: Rotary Public Image

“Why not have tens of thousands of people read about Rotary while they wait [for their luggage]?” says Batory, District 7450 (Pennsylvania, USA) PR chair and president of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia. “Find a place where you know a lot of people will have the time to actually read the ad.”

Read more about this super idea plus many more:
Rotary International Interactive - Humanity in Motion