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Business

The Rotary Club Moscow International – Socializing for the Whole Family
By Daniel Klein

Guy Marchand
addresses a family gathering of
Rotary Club Moscow International

When one thinks of the Rotary Club, one thinks of an ‘Old Boys’ institution for networking and socializing. However, when one understands what is really behind the Rotary, it is also a fantastic opportunity for the whole family, including the wife and kids, to expand their circle of contacts and friends. This may not be so important when living at home where acquaintances and friends are well established and are based upon long-term relationships. However, for those who have transplanted themselves into a new environment, contacts are often few, and the expat may be thirsty for opportunities to make new contacts. For the breadwinner in the family there is no shortage of opportunities to meet fellow expat businessmen in various after-hours events hosted by the likes of AMCHAM, AEB, RBCC, etc. However, the spouses are rarely invited, and even if invited, it may not be that interesting to them in view of the lack of other spouses at these frequently held events. The more after-hours events the working spouse attends, the lonelier and more frustrated the home-based spouse can become. The Rotary Club is a different kind of networking opportunity, as it has monthly events which are for the whole family. So, not only is there an opportunity for the spouse to expand her circle of friends/acquaintances, kids also have a chance to interact with their peers as well. There are four meetings a month that usually last for an hour and a half, and one of these is dedicated to families.

Rotary celebrated worldwide its 100 years of service in 2005 (1.2 million members in over 120 countries!) as well as 15 years in Russia. In 2001 an English speaking Club, Rotary Club Moscow International (RCMI) was founded by Carlo Natale and Guy Marchand. There are some 60 clubs in Western Russia, including eight in Moscow. Clubs need a minimum of 20 members of different economic and social background and have no maximum for their size. The peculiarity of RCMI dwells in the diversity of its members in terms of nationalities, and, in a spirit of tolerance, they are accomplishing amazing charity works in Moscow. (See their website: www.rc-mi.org)

What is the function of Rotary Clubs?

Some the gifted children
who benefit from RCMI patronage

With the motto “Service Above Self”, Rotary Clubs are philanthropic by nature. Rotary is a worldwide association of businessmen and community leaders who have a mission to ‘give back’ to the community in the form of social and cultural involvement in their respective communities. As an example, focusing on Children in Russia, the RCMI launched under the guidance of Mr. Josef Marous five years ago, the Children Musical Competition. Thanks to the RCMI and its patronage of this event, some of these laureate children are now touring the world (‘Our’ Anna Denisova played in The Hague when President Putin invited the Queen of the Netherlands for a Russian evening.) Dmitry, Elena, Katya and others from the Children Musical Competition are now under the supervision of renowned musical professors, and the Competition itself is internationally recognized by the EMCY. Not to mention the orphanages, Samusocial and many children’s hospitals that have received essential equipment from proceeds raised by the RCMI.

For more info:
www.rc-mi.org
or contact marchand@co.ru
or secretary@rc-mi.org







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