Six Rules About Trust

I’ve talked about it lots of times before: The high cost of lying and deception by politicians, police, corporate executives, clergy, journalists, accountants, and educators has weakened every major social institution.

As each of these domains wages its separate battle to remove the cloud of suspicion and cynicism that hovers over it, there are six truths about trust that must be understood and dealt with.

First, there’s no shortcut to building trust. Rebuilding it on the rubble of lost credibility is much harder. The antidote is nothing less than scrupulous and consistent honesty – especially when the truth is costly.

Second, where trust is important, there are no small lies. Falsehoods, however small they seem, are like germs. Without the antibody of trust, they cause infections that can kill credibility.

Third, the lethal quality of lies lasts long after they’re told. Lies told years ago have an immediate poisonous effect on trust when they’re discovered. Think of all the prominent people who’ve been undone by the discovery of old trumped-up resumes.

Fourth, while honesty and forthrightness don’t always pay, dishonesty and concealment always cost. It’s true that in some settings nothing good may come of admitting wrongdoing, but it gets a lot worse when you don’t.

Fifth, lies breed other lies. It’s harder to tell just one lie than to have just one potato chip. Once you start deceiving, it takes more and more bodyguards of new lies to protect the old ones.

Finally, don’t be seduced by the “I’m just fighting fire with fire” excuse or all you’ll end up with are the ashes of your integrity. Self-justifications aside, you can’t lie to a liar or cheat a cheater without becoming a liar or a cheater.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

Membership/Rotary Awareness Survey

ROTARY INFORMATION/MEMBERSHIP/PR SURVEY

 

In order to better support Clubs in the areas of Membership Development and Public Relations, we are asking that you fill out this brief survey.  This information will be used to develop District Level programs. If you have asked more than one person to join Rotary, summarize the group experience as best your can. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Peter Bashaw, Governor 

  1. In last 3 years, did you invite someone to  become a member of your club?   Yes __68___     No __12___  if yes how many __156___
  2. Did they join your club?    Yes  81__     No _75__
  3. If they joined your club, what reason can be most attributed to their decision? Opportunities for: Fellowship _19_, Business Networking _19, Social networking, _4__,  or for:  Developing Business skills _2____, Community Service Opportunities _25___, International Service Opportunities __8__, Rotary’s Image __10__, Other _0
  4. If they did not join your club, what reason did they give?  Cost _14_, Time commitment _34__, family _10___, Meeting Time _12__, Meeting Place ___0_, Rotary’s Image __0__, Other______  (2)joined another organization
  5. What was their level of Rotary knowledge?  Did they know about; 

         Your Club’s Community Projects:  Yes _54_  No _12_

         Polio Campaign:  Yes _38_   No _27_

        Foundation Programs

                 i.      Ambassadorial and World Peace Scholarships: Yes _9_ No _42

                 ii.      International projects     Yes_38_   No _26_

                 iii.      Group Study Exchanges:  Yes _21  No _37

          Youth Programs

                 i.      Interact:  Yes 18_   No _38

                 ii.      Rotaract:  Yes 8__   No _47

                 iii.      Youth Exchange:  Yes _25  No _28

Other Comments: _New member left due to lack of hands on projects: “Pay to Volunteer?” was one comment from potential member; Rotary not known; new members surprised at what we do.

Food for thought.  These results will be used to develop membership, public awareness and marketing plans for the future.

 

Foundation Walk

The Foundation Walk was held on May 9th.  Rotarians and family from 19 clubs weathered the rain to walk the beautiful walk along the river.  The event was well organized by the Cornwall and Cornwall Sunrise clubs.  Congratulations go to the organizing committee, volunteers and Interactors.

The Highest Club Participation award went to Montreal Westward with 11 walkers.  Highest per Capita Award went to the Cornwall Sunrise Club with $94 per member.  Watertown Rotary Club won the coveted Bette Miller Walking Stick with a total club contribution of $4282 Canadian.  Well done to all.  The preliminary total raised at the Foundation Walk was a new record of over $28,000 GREAT! Thanks to all the clubs and participants!

There is not much time left to get your contributions in for this year.  All contributions must be received by The Rotary Foundation by June 31st.  We are still short of our goal.  Please get that club or member contribution in!

 

New Regional Websites:  http://www.rotaryandyou.org  

The regional sites are listed along the bottom of the google map.  Click on one.  Click on the Rotary wheel for the District Website.  Click on a club icon to access the club meeting information and website.

 These sites were created to support our mutual marketing efforts.  They are intended to be used by clubs and the district when Public Service Announcements or articles will be seen regionally.  Clubs are requested to use the regional websites so that interested parties wish to find out more information about their local club can find where and when that club meets and also go the the club’s website.  The District will also be able to address PSA’s to regions of the district.  We must work together to get the Rotary word out. The regional sites are: RotaryAndYou.org • RotaryQuebecOuest.org • RotaryWestQuebec.org •RotaryOttawaValley.org • RotaryOttawa.org • RotarySeaway.org • RotaryWNNY.org •RotaryENNY.org

 

 

 

Announcements:

  1. William (Bill) Gray of the Cataraqui-Kingston Rotary Club was selected by the District Nominating Committee to be Governor for the Rotary Year 2011 - 2012.  Having failed to obtain a candidate from New York, I can not think of a better selections.  I am sure Rotarians from District 7040 will give Bill the same excellent support I have received this past year during his year as Governor.
  2. Bruce Higgs, chair of the District World Community Service Committee and member of the Gananoque Rotary Club was awarded Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award.  The prestigious award was established by the RI to recognize a small number of Rotarians for their devotion to service not just in Rotary but in their life in general.  Congratulations Bruce.
  3. District interviews for our only Ambassadorial Scholarship was held June 9th.  Eleven candidates in all.  The scholarship winner is Karyne Merrick Moore sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ottawa.  The alternate selected is Sarah Lee, sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Renfrew.  Thank you to the committee for taking time to interview all the candidates and thank you the candidates and sponsor clubs.
  4. Two applicants were interviewed to be our district’s candidate for the Rotary World Peace Fellowship.  Ryan Rowe sponsored by the Montréal Lakeshore Rotary Club was selected.  Ryan is a graduate of Concordia University with an MBA from York University.  Ryan is currently employed by MacQuarie Middle East Management Limited working in Abu Dhahi, UAE. 
  5. Anna Rochon member of the Kemptville Rotary Club has been selected to be the Team Leader for next year’s GSE with District 3131 India.

 

Dates to Remember:

June 9, 2009:  District Changeover Dinner at Best Western Pembroke.  http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=194

June 21-24, 2009:  Rotary International Convention, Birmingham, UK

August 8, 2009:  Membership & Foundation Seminar in Canton NY,  http://www.rotary7040.com/event.php?id=309 

 

Remember that volunteers are being recruited for the Montreal 2010 RI Convention.  Please visit www.hocvolunteers.com for further information.