Robert Keely

September 27, 2011

The Rotary Club of Putnam County is changing with the times according to President Robert Keely.

"The workplace is changing," says Keely, "and we need to go with the flow and meet the needs of our members."

The time has passed when business people all had offices on Main Street, and a weekly luncheon meeting in a convenient local restaurant provided an easy opportunity for fellowship and networking.

"Putnam Rotary embraces the entire county," Keely explains. "We have members who work in Charleston and Huntington as well.

"A Rotary luncheon means two hours or more away from the office -- and the loss in work time is multiplied for several members in the same location."

For these reasons, Putnam Rotary has joined a select group of some 200 clubs which offer a new "corporate membership."

These 200 clubs represent little more than half of one percent of all Rotary Clubs, and Putnam is the only corporate membership club in RI District 7550, southern West Virginia.

This pilot program allows a company or corporation in the area to become a Rotary member, and appoint up to four people who would enjoy all the privileges and responsibilities of other Rotarians.

These designees of the company will attend club meetings, work on service projects, vote and serve in leadership positions.

"Corporate membership," says Keely, "allows for the flexibility and mobility required today in the business world."

Amy Owens (Suddenlink) chats with Rotarian Chet Marshall.

Each corporate designee would be required to pay the same membership dues as all other members.

The greatest difference may be in the attendance requirement for meetings. Only one designee would be required to attend the weekly meetings for an acceptable record of participation.

Keely suggested that a company's Rotarians might review upcoming programs, and make attendance decisions according to personal and professional interests.

Three Putnam businesses have already shown interest in the new membership arrangements, and one group is presently undergoing the traditional review and approval precess for new members.

But when First State Bank is approved for the first corporate membership in Putnam Rotary, the designated members may not have far to travel. All designees may be able to attend all meetings and activities.

And that is because Putnam Rotary meets in the Community Room which is a part of the First State office on Teays Valley Road.