January marks a significant moment in our Rotary calendar as we celebrate Vocational Service Month. This theme invites us to reflect on the essence of Rotary—our commitment to high ethical standards, the value of all occupations, and the dignity of work. It’s a time to honor the skills and expertise each of us brings to the table and how we can leverage them to create meaningful change in our communities.
This month, I encourage you to think about how your professional life aligns with Rotary’s ideals. Whether through mentoring young professionals, sharing expertise in community projects, or embodying ethical practices in your workplace, Vocational Service provides a platform for us to live our values every day. Programs like RISE (Rotarians Inspired to Succeed and Engage) exemplify this spirit. RISE is a 6-week leadership development program that fosters a culture of growth and peer support among Rotarians. Participants gain skills they can apply in their professional and Rotary lives while expanding their networks and learning from their mentors. Presidents, I encourage you to identify emerging leaders in your clubs and offer them the opportunity to accelerate their leadership development through this impactful program.
One powerful way we can bring this theme to life is through our District 5030 Business Network. This initiative allows Rotarian-owned or inspired businesses to list their services and products for free, promoting themselves within a trusted network of like-minded professionals. But it goes beyond self-promotion. Businesses in this network have the option to participate in a giving model, offering products and services with a portion of each transaction supporting Rotarian-backed causes within our District. An important note for Rotarians who participate in the Business Network is that they choose the beneficiary of any contributions from a list of causes and foundations available in the network.
Here are the actions members can take in the Business Network:
Get your business listed for free so Rotarians throughout the District can learn of them.
Take your business listing to the next step by participating in the giving model, providing offers of products and services where they contribute a portion to one of the registered causes in the network.
Register your club’s foundation or causes they are passionate about as potential beneficiaries. (contact publicimage@district5030.org)
Shop and do business in the shop and support section and gift card section to raise money and support the causes.
For our Rotary members, the Business Network is more than a directory—it’s an opportunity to make a difference. By purchasing products, services, or gift cards, or by choosing to do business with Rotary-owned and inspired enterprises, you are directly contributing to causes that matter most to us as Rotarians. Imagine the collective impact we can achieve when our everyday transactions create meaningful change.
Let’s make Vocational Service Month a celebration of our professions, our principles, and our potential. Explore the District 5030 Business Network, support your fellow Rotarians, and join us in building stronger businesses, stronger connections, and stronger communities.
