Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Rotary International District 6450 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs would like to thank all of you who participated in the DEI survey that was prepared by Justice Informed and implemented last Rotary Year. In addition, we would like to thank Past District Governors Jane Hopkins and Ade Onayemi for their thoughtful and dedicated shepherding of this process within the District as we navigated somewhat uncharted waters for Rotary, while at the same time setting the bar for what we hope other Districts and the entire International organization can emulate. 

The Survey and its results are a first, important step for our District to really understand and address issues around DEI that impact us as Rotarians and our organization on all levels, despite what we individually may experience and feel about these issues in the broader community and world. The Committee Co-Chairs have prepared a summary of the Survey results and are making that available along with the entire 28-page Report and Analysis from the Survey, and an accompanying Presentation that was presented to the District Board for your reference and deeper contemplation and review.

DEI SURVEY SUMMARY

DEI Demographics Sentiments Report Presentation

DEI Demographics Sentiments Report

What your Club can do:

Talk about diversity with your Club members and create a member diversity and inclusion action plan using the Diversifying Your Club assessment.

Invite local diversity, equity, and inclusion experts to speak at a Club meeting. Try a recommended speaker from our list:

Connect with local organizations that are supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in your community and work with them on projects or events.

Encourage and support members from underrepresented groups to take on leadership positions in your Club. 

Encourage Club members to take the Building a Diverse Club course in the Learning Center to learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Rotary and Social Justice

Communities within District 6450 daily are faced with issues of social justice. Read District Governor Chuck Corrigan’s statement on the subject:

Surely, all Rotarians can rally around projects and programs that share these goals, address racism, and advance us towards a more inclusive organization. Our Clubs already do much locally to foster stronger communities, and our work on these existing programs – in education, health care, food security, and social services – must continue. We can also contribute to the efforts to eliminate the harmful effects of racism, the inequities that much of our population is born into, and the injustices that exist in our justice system. Rotarians in our District have already begun such work in ways that can bring people together and do not divide.

Recommended Reading

Members of our District Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee recommend the following books:

This Book Is Antiracist, by Tiffany Jewell

For more recommendations:

Multicultural/Culturally-Responsive Books – Curriculum Collection at Lewis Library – Research Guides at Loyola University Chicago (luc.edu)

Celebrate Diversity in Children’s Books | Chicago Public Library (chipublib.org)

Diversity – Children’s books | Chicago Public Library | BiblioCommons

25 Recent Books about African American History (February 2021) | Chicago Public Library | BiblioCommons

Illinois Writers Project, Hall Branch Digital Collections Document Early Black History in Chicago | Chicago Public Library (chipublib.org)

We Stand Against Racism | Naperville Public Library (naperville-lib.org)

Support Your Local Library, or Consider Purchasing from a Local Bookseller:

Home | Da Book Joint

Bookstore | Semicolon Bookstore (semicolonchi.com)

Anderson’s Bookshop

Rotarians commit to high ethical standards as embodied in the Object of Rotary and The Four-Way Test.

The Four-Way Test

From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world’s most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The Four-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.

This 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. It asks the following four questions:

Of the things we think, say, or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International

The Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary with three business associates in Chicago in 1905. The Fellowship was established in his honor in 1957 to express appreciation for a contribution of $1,000 to the humanitarian and educational programs of The Rotary Foundation.

Rotarians who contribute $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation receive a commemorative certificate, a Paul Harris Fellow pin and a medallion. Paul Harris Fellows who continue are awarded higher designations for each $1,000 given. For example, if someone contributes $2,000, they are acknowledged as a PHF+1. Rotarians who commit to giving $1,000 annually are inducted into the Paul Harris Society. Rotarians who contribute $10,000 or more to the Foundation receive Major Donor status.

The Rotary Foundation supports an array of projects that save and invigorate the lives of people around the world and enhance international friendship and understanding. Foundation programs provide educational opportunities, food, potable water, health care, immunizations and shelter for millions of persons. These activities are funded, implemented and managed by Rotarians and Rotary clubs around the globe.

Learn more about Rotary by visiting the links below: