When people talk about yearlings the conversation is usually about a young deer that is between one and two years old and has outgrown the fawn stage but is not yet fully grown. At the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha, that term has a different meaning. Coined by Saul Cutler, a long-time Rotarian, a yearling is a proposed club member that must go through a program to orient them to the club. The onboarding process has proven to be highly successful.
The Yearling Committee is currently chaired by Past District President Roxy Orr. The extensive orientation program is designed to make new members feel part of the club, understand the operations principles and mission pillars of Rotary, get a sense of the history and enhance their participation in the work of the group.
Requirements for yearling participation include:
- Attending six yearling meetings in the first year they are members
- Signing up to greet
- Giving an invocation
- Giving a vocational talk to the club
- Participating in two service projects
- Joining a committee
- Participating in the writing of a grant
These requirements are intended to be completed in one-year.
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