Service club

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A service club (from English service club , in German also society club or charity club ) is a formally organized group of people who maintain friendly relationships within the club on the basis of shared values ​​and at the same time work together for the good of others; this use relates to humanitarian, social, medical, cultural or educational purposes. Service clubs are neither religiously nor politically bound; they cross nationalities and underline the value and importance of international friendship.

Structure and goals

The traditional service clubs can be found in many countries, the largest in almost every country in the world. The individual clubs each belong to an umbrella organization that manages and mediates common structures and standards, represents a platform for international encounters and, in turn, organizes larger humanitarian initiatives that cannot be supported by individual clubs. The individual club member never belongs to the international organization, but rather to the individual local club.

Depending on the size of the individual organization, there are further hierarchical levels between the individual club and the respective world association; there are often so-called districts , the size of which is often between that of a German federal state and that of several large European states; however, they rarely correspond to the political or administrative areas.

Important functions in the club - such as the president - in the district (which is headed by a governor ) or in the umbrella organization - this is also chaired by a president - are determined by election, are generally voluntary and limited in duration - usually to one year.

The best-known service clubs are the originally all-male Rotary , Lions Club and Kiwanis clubs , which are still exclusively female clubs Zonta , Soroptimist International and Ladies Circle , as well as the Round Table with exclusively male members under 40 years of age.

Usually one cannot apply for membership in a service club; each club selects its members, usually within the club’s catchment area; in most cases this is based on a proposal by a member; the candidate can only actually join the club with the consent of all other members. The prerequisite for membership is, on the one hand, professional activity: The club should consist of representatives of as many professions as possible and should reflect as many professions as possible in the catchment area; this diversification offers every club member interesting interlocutors from other professions. On the other hand, personal prerequisites are mentioned, in particular private and professional ethics, tolerance and readiness for cooperation and service - service - for the neighbor. In contrast to a widespread prejudice, a particularly high income or wealth that allows larger donations is not a criterion; However, higher educational levels are represented in the clubs far above average.

Regular meetings - once a week at Rotary and less often at some service clubs - are intended to promote friendship between members, which is seen as an essential element of club life; they are also an opportunity for cultural activities; These are often presentations by members, but also by external speakers. At the meetings, which are often held as a joint meal, questions relating to the club and, in particular, the club's service activities are discussed. Participation in the meeting is fundamentally mandatory; depending on the club, it is more or less checked and reminded. At least in theory, dismissal from membership due to insufficient participation is possible.

In most cases, service actions are initiated by the individual club; larger actions are also carried out in the district or even by the world association. In addition to humanitarian and medical aid in poor countries, charitable social, cultural, educational and educational activities are also carried out in their own country, often in their own city. The services of the service club range from the basic idea to the organizational activity, the collection of financial resources within the club and the acquisition of funds from third parties, especially from companies and entrepreneurs ( fundraising ) - whereby the good reputation of a service club is often for the The willingness to donate is crucial - right up to the practical work, also and especially by professionally competent members such as doctors or engineers. Well-known examples are wells and vaccination campaigns in developing countries. Social projects for children and young people or the rescue of historical buildings or other works of art are often only known locally.

history

The history of the service clubs begins in Chicago on February 23, 1905. The young attorney Paul Percy Harris and three friends held the first meeting of the association that was later called the Rotary Club ; In addition to the intended social contacts among people from different professions, the outward-looking charitable purpose came a little later . Within a few years Rotary clubs sprang up in other cities in the United States and in other countries. Harris is said to have adopted the ideal of service , of serving the community , from associations belonging to the women's movement in the second half of the 19th century.

Further service clubs were founded around 1920.

The most famous service clubs

The first Inner Wheel club was founded in 1924 by wives of Rotarians in England, at that time it was not a typical service club; Since 2012, Inner Wheel Clubs have also been accepting non-Rotary members. We continue to work closely with Rotary.

Similarly, Ladies' Circle was created in 1945 by the wives of round table members; 17,500 women worldwide now form Ladies Circle International , which continues to work closely with the Round Table.

Youth organizations

The big clubs Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis in particular have now developed their own youth clubs. The Rotarian family includes Interact for teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 and Rotaract (18-30 years); the Lions club includes the youth organization Leo Club and the Kiwanis club includes the youth organization Kiwanis Junior Club.

There is a regular exchange between the sponsoring clubs and the youth clubs they supervise; However, these are largely organized independently. The togetherness is felt and underlined; however, there is no “automatic” transition, for example from Rotaract to a Rotary club.

Naturally, the donations in the youth organizations do not reach the dimensions of the “adult” clubs; in many cases, however, the youth clubs are primarily active themselves. They maintain close relationships with retirement homes, day-care centers, help centers or other social institutions and regularly support them in campaigns and care.

Like the actual service clubs, the junior clubs also invite guests to listen to the lectures, to take part in social activities and, in particular, to get to know the climate and the members of the club. In some cases this can result in membership.

criticism

Despite their charitable claim, service clubs can appear isolated from outsiders due to the restrictive - acclamative access regulation, the close ties of the members and the implicit elitist claim. A consulting institute for young academics described the service clubs as networks for mutual benefit in their purest form .

See also

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ www.service-clubs.com - Information page about service clubs
  2. ↑ International Inner Wheel ( Memento of the original from January 22, 2018 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.internationalinnerwheel.org
  3. ↑ Die Zeit : Tina Groll : Interview about service clubs in Germany from August 12, 2011, accessed on August 19, 2014.
  4. ↑ karrieremagazin.net: Service clubs as career accelerators ( memento from April 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive ), accessed on April 5, 2016.