MARC ELIN - ROTARIAN
Posted by Douglas Pile
Marc Elin, Principal at Windsor High School, Rotarian:
LIGHT UP ROTARY, BRING A GUEST, MAKE A MEMBER!
Mark was invited to speak as part of the “Light up Rotary” program for the Rotary year 2014-2015. He is currently serving as the principal at Windsor High School, having had a long background in education from classroom teaching at multiple grade levels, administration, and ultimately becoming the principal at Windsor High School. Prior to his educational career he was in marketing and had a very successful business. He found that it left him unsatisfied and unfulfilled at the end of the day. He felt that he could influence lives in a more positive way. He felt that education would be the way to do this, and has ultimately ended up in the position of principal where he can influence each and every one of the students in his school.
He grew up in a family where the father was a Rotarian. Women were not allowed in the Club at that time. He was not interested in participating in a Club that was so exclusive and that was comprised primarily of “rich old men” who simply “wrote checks”. When his father retired and was of less substantial means, he was no longer able to contribute as in the past and he was terminated from Club membership.
Mark gradually came back into the circle of Rotary membership and participation over the years and first joined the Windsor Club the year that women were admitted to Rotary membership and has been active since that time. He enjoys the youth, energy and diversity of this Club.
He is pleased that our Club is likewise youthful, energetic, and fun-loving. He stressed 3 criteria as essential for being a good Rotarian and finding a “Club” with which you can work. First of all the Club must have a vibrant life of its own and its service to community must be clearly evident and of a positive nature. Secondly there must be a “fit” between a prospective member and the Club itself with the most important factor being welcoming and acceptance by the Club members. The 3rd aspect of being a good Rotarian is to find a niche within the Club where each member can capitalize on his or her natural talents, professional skills and links to other members of the community to bring about improvement within the community. A good fit on all 3 aspects assures that the service provided in Rotary will be meaningful to the Rotarian which will result in his or her retention of membership and participation in Club service activities.
Regarding membership recruitment he suggests that all members of a Club ask themselves “Who is important in this community that is not represented within our Club?” Then the member should encourage that person to come to a meeting as his or her guest so they can get a flavor of what the Club does. At times it can be a natural and speedy fit. At other times, persistence is required to obtain a new member of this quality.
The very things that keep us all involved with Rotary are the same things that will attract new members: friendship, camaraderie and social activities, along with the overall sense of having made a significant impact on our community and the world.
Douglas Pile
Secretary