Rotary Community Corps (RCC)

RCC is one of Rotary International’s Nine Structured Programs which are designed to help clubs and districts achieve their service goals in their own communities and in communities abroad, fostering fellowship and goodwill in the process.

What is RCC?  An RCC is a group of non-Rotarian men and women who share Rotarians’ commitment to service.  Under the guidance of a sponsoring Rotary club, dedicated RCC members put their own skills to work to improve the quality of life in their communities.

RCC Goals  Encourage individuals to take responsibility for the improvement of their community or village.  Recognize the dignity and value of all useful occupations.  Mobilize self-help activities and collective work to improve quality of life.  Encourage the development of human potential to its fullest, within the context of the local culture and community.

RCC History and Statistics  Idea introduced by then RI president-elect M.A.T. Caparas in 1985  RI Board adopted program in 1988  Today there are over 6,700 active RCCs & 2,600 Rotary club sponsors in 75 countries worldwide.

About RCC  An opportunity for Rotarians and non-Rotarians to work together to foster enduring community development.  Adaptable to any community, rural or urban.  Active participants mobilize to articulate, design and carry out their own plans for change.  Rotarians oversee projects but allow corps members to increase their independence.

RCC Guidelines  Membership should be open to non-Rotarian men and women who reside, are employed, or study near the Corps’ community.  RCCs should meet at least once per month.  RCCs are encouraged to undertake two major projects annually.  Any membership dues should be nominal.

RCC Activities RCCs work to organize sustainable development for the community in which they live. As community members gain access to educational and vocational training from an RCC project, they can pass along their knowledge and skills to future generations.

Project Examples  Establish a literacy center or tutoring group at a local school or library  Set up a clinic for people who cannot afford regular health care  Train unskilled workers and help them find jobs  Organize teams to clean up local parks and highways

How to Organize an RCC  Introduce the program to your Rotary club  Understand the community’s needs  Recruit RCC members and familiarize them with Rotary  Review guidelines and submit organization form  Develop a mission statement and set realistic goals

Rotary Club Support The Rotary club plays an important role in the initial phase of RCC development to:  Orient new members and helps elect officers  Assist developing long-term financial and operating plans  Maintain the enthusiasm and focus of members  Promote RCC to potential members  Communicate success stories to local media and RI Headquarters

Local and District Leadership RCCs are encouraged to:  elect a leadership group for a one-year term  choose a representative from within the leadership group The representative:  represents the RCC with the sponsoring Rotary club and the public District governors are encouraged to appoint RCC chairs to:  support existing RCCs  work to improve the program  implement new methods to ensure success

Participate As Partners in Service, RCC members and Rotarians have the opportunity to:  Develop communication and leadership skills  Enhance community pride  Share the responsibility to take charge of their community’s future

Resources The following resources are available on the RI Web site: RCC Handbook (770) RCC Brochure (779) RCC: Changing Lives, Shaping the Future (780) (a brochure for prospective members) Contact the district RCC chair for your area or RI Staff: RCC Program Coordinator One Rotary Center 1560 Sherman Avenue Evanston, IL USA Tel: or 4487 Fax: