The Rotary Means Business Fellowship (RMBF) gained Rotary International approval as a business networking fellowship in 2013 and has been growing ever since.  It now has over 100 Chapters worldwide covering every continent except Antarctica (penguins may be joining soon) and almost 1,000 individual paid members.  The Purpose of the RMB Fellowship, i.e., the “what” and the “why” follow: Rotary Means Business encourages Rotarians to support the success of their fellow Rotarians by doing business with them, and by referring others to them.  After all, we follow the Four Way Test so trust is built into all parts of Rotary.  As a result, the RMBF helps develop stronger businesses, stronger communities, stronger members, stronger Rotary Foundation, stronger Clubs, and ultimately a stronger Rotary.
 
Chapters may be formed in varying ways – a group of Rotarians in a geographical area may decide to form a chapter, a part of a District may form a chapter, or the chapter may be formed based on a District-centered/managed model.  Chapters join the RMBF to use the logo and RMB brand name for a modest annual fee.  There is no requirement that chapter members join the Fellowship as individuals but this is recommended.  Chapter leaders are required to join the RMBF.  Individual annual memberships or lifetime memberships are available at a reasonable cost.
 
The RMBF provides its members and Chapters many benefits to include being part of a growing worldwide Rotary business networking movement with the opportunity to exchange views with Rotarians from around the world.  When you join and fill out your member profile, you automatically are part of a global Rotarian “Yellow Pages”.  For local chapters when more and more of the members join the RMBF, the chapter has effectively created its own “Yellow Pages” since if you search the database for a particular US state and a particular profession the name of local members in that profession will pop up.  The RMBF also is developing a Mentoring database, which will allow Rotarians to mentor other Rotarians that seek advice in various fields.  You can also promote your business networking events on the RMBF website at www.rotarymeansbusiness.org.
 
To find out more regarding forming a Chapter or joining as an individual, please consider stopping by the RMBF virtual booth in the Hall of Friendship.  Members of the RMBF Board of Directors to include the Chair and Vice Chair will be able to answer your questions and point you to the best path to join as a Chapter and/or an individual. 
 
Hall of Friendship times are as follows:
  • Friday evening April 30 - 6:00 to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday morning, May 1 - 8:30 to 9:30 AM
  • Saturday evening, May 1 - 6:00 to 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, morning May 2 - 10:30 to 11:15 AM
See you there!