Community Services

Weekly speakers.
Except for the first Tuesday of each month, Program Chairs for the month are to provide high quality speakers to follow the luncheon, usually starting at 1 pm and terminating when the Club President rings the bell at 1:30 pm sharp. The theme of the month is cited by Rotary International on the inside rear cover of the International Directory. When an international theme is cited one usually brings in speakers who are District chairs or have a well versed club member speak on the theme.

Goal of each speaker should be to inform and to be somewhat entertaining.

It is the responsibility of the program chair to be present to introduce the speaker, to advise the speaker that he/she will have about one-half hour to speak and to advise the speaker that he/she has no longer than 1:30 pm to speak. However, the speaker may remain after 1:30 pm and talk with the members as long as members are present. If there are any costs associated with the speaker, such as special equipment, travel, room, board, etc., those costs are the responsibility of the program chair that invited the speaker. The Club will pay for one speaker's meal. Additonal will be paid for by the speaker or by the program chair. All speakers and their topics must be cleared with the board one month in advance of the month in which they are to speak. Rotary provides an open forum for all topics, but the board needs to know if there will be a controversial speaker or topic so that adequate provision can be made.

Club Newsletter
Highlights community events by printing a précis of talks given at luncheons and reporting on things the club does. Highlights club assistance to community by reporting the events the club participates in within the community. Provides a readily accessible calendar for the month, email and phone numbers of the members, make-up locations, actions of the board, current list of officers and board members.

Scholarships
The Rotary Club of Williamstown supports local academic events and provides some financial aid for selected students. See details under Charitable Funds - Scholarship Fund.

Food Pantry Support
At the first meeting of the month donations are collected for the Food Pantry. Usually this is accepted in the form of a check made payable to the pantry. If a special need is known, a special appeal will be made. The checks are collected, logged in by the club Treasurer, then forwarded to the treasurer of the pantry. In this way the club can show how much support is given by Rotarians through Rotary to the Food Pantry.

Special projects