Rotary Club Classification Information

At our October 16th lunch meeting, the scheduled speaker on the topic of Shelter Boxes could not attend, so Sue Duchek and Jim Bertucci stepped up and enlightened all of us regarding the history and purpose of the Rotary classification system, and their plans to review our club’s classification list. Jim’s research primarily revealed the importance of an active classification committee, and the need for every club to conduct an annual survey to determine if the membership is properly classified, if particular classifications are not represented in the membership, and if certain new classifications (or sub-classifications) should be created.

There is no national Rotary classification system. Classifications must be determined on a local club level. The appropriate classifications in different areas of the country will differ great from one another because the job environment and professions differ greatly between areas. Also, the types of classifications that should be used changes over time. Many professions that were prevalent 25 years ago may not be so prevalent today, and other newer professions have appeared. Therefore, although a local Rotary club may have a classification system in place, that system must be reviewed annually to ensure that it properly reflects the changing employment in the region.

A proper classification system also can drive well-guided membership efforts as the members can focus on recruiting efforts towards unrepresented classifications. The classification committee should also be the first committee that receives an application for membership.

Our club has not reviewed its classification system in at least 10 years, so Jim and Sue have agreed to lead the review of the system. At the lunch meeting you received a classification survey. As soon as possible, please complete the survey and return it to Jim or Sue. The survey is an important first step in the review of our classification system. Once the information from the surveys has been compiled, Jim and Sue will provide a first draft of a revised classification list.