MEMBERSHIP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2022

Prospective, new and even established Active and Honorary Members have questions.
Here we try to answer the most common questions and provide empowering solutions.

Using the above estimates, the annual cost of Active Membership is $160 plus any regular meals at $12/meal charge plus the amount pledged for fines and the Rotary Foundation.

FURTHER FAQ'S

Interested in learning more about The Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite? Come to our breakfast meeting 7am at Miner's Roadhouse on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Thursday of the month. Dinner meeting available on the 1st Thursday (email for location).

Prospective members who cannot attend morning meetings are invited to join a lunch gathering on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 12PM and Miner's Roadhouse.

For more information contact us at:
Email - info@mariposayosemiterotary.org
Call Greg Harper (cell) 303-564-1945
or Debbie Peters 559-642-0204

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

What does membership really cost?
Annual Active membership costs can be divided into five general categories and are subject to change based upon the directives from Rotary International (RI), our supervising Rotary District 5220 Board of Directors and our specific Rotary Club Board of Directors. The following is a baseline annual estimate for one person.

RI, DISTRICT & CLUB DUES

Each Active member, even those under a Leave of Absence, must pay $160 each year for their share of RI and District dues.

MEALS

Members pay $12 for each breakfast meal they attend in person. Extra meals for family and other guests are charged at $12 per person for each meal. Any guest you invite to breakfast for the purpose of potentially joining the club will have their meal paid for by the club.

CLUB SUPPORT

The Club may levy an informal (and humorous) "club support/pledges" against members at meetings for notable life or public events purchases of new vehicles, going on vacation, photos in newspapers, etc. Members are expected to be minimally "club support/pledges" from $0 to $100 each year, you decide. The Club will account and invoice any club support/pledges. Many members simply request their club support/pledges be included in their monthly invoice for simplicity. Dues, meals and club support/pledges are tracked by the Club Treasurer. You will never have to pay more in club support/pledges than your pre-determined pledged amount.

PLEDGED GIVING

All members are expected to donate something annually to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) and/or Polio Plus via the Club or through the RI website. This can include small automatic monthly payments or single donations. The Club Foundation Chair tracks this progress and assists members with questions regarding their giving.

WHAT IS A PAUL HARRIS FELLOW (PHF)?

Paul Harris, an Illinois attorney, founded the club that became the humanitarian organization Rotary International (RI) in 1905. Paul Harris Fellowships (PHF) are awarded for each $1,000 in donations [single or accumulated over time] to the RI Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The foundation acknowledges donations for tax purposes. Our club helps members achieve their first Paul Harris Fellowship by matching the first $500 in donations. Donations to the foundation are not limited to members. The Foundation Chair helps members reach their goals. PHF recognition is acknowledged with a series of gold pins ranging from the gold pin alone, to a series of pins with sapphires and rubies recognizing each $1000 milestone.

WHAT IF I AM INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE BOARD FOR ROTARY CLUB OF MARIPOSA YOSEMITE

As a member of Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite, we encourage all members to be involved. Contact the current Club President to find out the needs of the Board. The formal Board is composed of the following positions;

Officers
Immediate Past President
President
President-Elect
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Sergeant in arms

WHAT ARE OUR CLUB’S MAJOR FUNDRAISERS?

The four major fundraisers in which ALL Club members are expected to volunteer are:

Art, Wine and Wheels (May) - one-day event held at Mariposa County Courthouse
Butterfly Festival Parking (July) - two-day event held at Mariposa County Fairgrounds
Mariposa County Fair Parking (September) - Four day event held at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds
Scholarship Golf Tournament (October) - one-day event held at River Creek Golf Course

Members are encouraged to volunteer on planning committees or day of event (and sometimes both) for each event.

WHAT IS THE WEEKLY RAFFLE?

A raffle is held at the weekly breakfast meetings. Tickets are $1 each, and two tickets are selected each week. The winner may choose a Rotary prize from the table. Proceeds from the raffle are donated toward Polio Plus giving. (Currently on hold due to Covid.)

CAN I BRING MY SPOUSE OR A FAMILY MEMBER TO A WEEKLY MEETING FOR BREAKFAST?

Absolutely! Family members, friends, co-workers, etc. are always welcome to attend Club meetings. Payment of $12 per guest can be given to the Club Treasurer at the meeting or your account can be billed.

HOW CAN I MAKE UP A MISSED MEETING?

Members are encouraged to attend weekly meetings either in person or by Zoom connection. Participation is an important part of being a Rotarian. Members can attend meetings of other Rotary Clubs. Our Board meetings and committee meetings are open to all, as well as all Club service projects and social gatherings.

ROTARY WEBSITES AND DACDB?

DACdb ("District And Club database") is a website for Rotary members to input their contact information, view Rotary info on all clubs, communicate, register for events and training, etc. Members can access our Club membership directory as well as other club directories. Once an individual becomes a member, they should login to DACdb to upload a head-shot photo and complete their contact information. This is important because electronic communication with members is done through DACdb. (www.dacdb.com). Note: you can only update your own information, club information must be updated by a designated club person. the writing is clear and concise, and helps visitors get the support they need in the most efficient way. Consider elaborating with examples or visual aids to ensure all users fully understand the information.

WHAT IS MARIPOSAROTARY@GROUPS.IO?

Mariposarotary@groups.io is the group e-mail list that sends an email to everyone in our Club.

ROTARY WEBSITE - ROTARY INTERNATIONAL.

Rotary International, also known as "RI", is the headquarters for all 33,000 Rotary clubs operating globally. All members should create a profile with RI at https://my.rotary.org/en. Here membership can do many things; subscribe to the electronic edition of the Rotarian magazine, search for any one of the 1.2 million Rotarians organized globally, make a tax deductible donation and track your Giving, enter important information about the Club's activities, learn more about the Rotary Zone and District, access critical tools and media resources to enhance the Club.

HOW CAN I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION?

Members can create an account and log in to www.myrotary.org. Visit the “Give” section of the website to choose the causes to donate towards. Members can also view their donor history on this site. The contribution can be given in one payment or through monthly payments that may be automatically withdrawn.

WHERE CAN I BUY ROTARY “SWAG”?

Rotary branded items - shirts, jackets, pins, hats, awards, etc. can be purchased from The Russell Hampton Company (www.russellhampton.com), or other vendors as well. The Club maintains an account with Russell Hampton and purchases many Club items from there.

OTHER ROTARY WEBSITES

Rotary International: www.rotary.org
Rotary District 5220: www.rotary5220.org
Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite: www.mariposayosemiterotary.org