Classification Conundrum
Clarifying the Classification Conundrum
By Bob Merrigan
Well, okay. “Conundrum” may be a bit of a stretch, but at least it’s alliterative.
Historically, membership in Rotary was limited to one member from each classification of business … and those classifications were predetermined. Over the years, those standards have become less rigid. For example, there’s no longer a predetermined list of classifications. In fact, clubs are encouraged to create their own classification lists, and allowed to set their own standards on whether multiple members in any classification will be allowed.
Our club bylaws state:
“Before proposing a prospective member for membership, the sponsor shall contact the club membership/classification chair, in writing, to see if proposed classification is open. If the same or similar classification is filled by an active member(s), the classifications chair/vice-president contacts those members to ensure there are no objections to an additional member in the classification.”
If you look broadly at our current membership, our mix of classifications is as follows:
Attorney/Legal - 10
Architect/Engineer - 7
Fundraising/Not-for-Profit - 7
Advertising/PR/Marketing - 5
Banking/Finance - 5
Education/Training - 5
Business Services - 3
Consulting -3
Insurance - 3
Manufacturing - 3
Sales - 3
Financial Services - 3
CPA - 2
Energy - 2
Real Estate/Development - 2
Government - 2
Health Care - 2
Commercial Maintenance - 1
Remodeling - 1
Within some of these classifications, there are more specifically defined classifications. For example, among those in the legal profession we have:
Attorney - Litigation
Attorney-Federal Prosecutor
Attorney - Agribusiness
Attorney - Construction Law
Attorney-Product Liability
(just to name a few).
Why does it matter, you ask? If we were a business networking organization, the guidelines would be in place to protect members’ interests and prevent competition. We’re not … and that’s not the objective here. Our goal is to encourage diversity within the club, to try to include a range of interests and perspectives. The legal industry has its own professional associations (as do engineering, fundraising, marketing, etc.) and we don’t need to replicate them.
So, as you consider individuals who might be a valuable addition to (and likely to enjoy and benefit from) the Plaza Rotary Club, think outside the immediate circle of colleagues in your profession. And, think of gaps in the list above. A doctor, maybe? A genetic researcher? The owner of a lawn care company?
But please, do give it some thought!