There are a few things you can almost guarantee to be at a Rotary meeting.

A reciting of the Four-Way Test, someone selling a raffle ticket, a serving of Rotary chicken (maybe) and a room full of fully grown adults proudly wearing name badges like we’re at the world’s longest-running speed dating event.

And I absolutely love it!…..well not the chicken so much.

Rotary’s obsession with name badges actually makes sense, the tradition actually goes right back to Rotary’s earliest days, creating that relaxed, atmosphere where the mechanic, the magistrate and the milkman were all just “John,” “Sue,” or “Bill.” First names. No titles. Just fellowship.

The badge was there to make introductions easy and to remind us that in Rotary, we meet as equals. The badge became a symbol of that culture, worn proudly on the right side so it’s perfectly positioned for a handshake and a warm “G’day, I’m Evan.”

Which brings me to my confession…

I don’t just have a Rotary name badge.

I have a Rotary name badge collection!

I’m sitting at about 30 of them.

Every possible variation:

Evan Burrell – Club President

Evan Burrell – Honorary Member

Evan Burrell – District Public Image

Evan Burrell – RI Communications Committee

Evan Burrell – Rotaract (yes, I’ve still got that one!)

Evan Burrell – District Governor

And in July i’ll get a new one!

Evan Burrell – Past District Governor….I’m waiting in a favour of anticipation for this one.

And at this point I need to head to IKEA and get a display cabinet, or have a rotating lanyard system like a backstage pass holder at a music festival.

But here’s the real upside…

If I ever get amnesia, I won’t panic.

I’ll just open my top drawer, look down and instantly know: “Ah yes… I’m Evan Burrell. Apparently I’ve held several positions of mild responsibility and I have lot’s of badges.”

Honestly, it’s foolproof identity insurance.

Every time I think, “This will be the last badge I’ll ever need,” Rotary says, “Congratulations! Here’s another role!” And off I go with another badge on the chest.

But the humour aside, the badge isn’t about hierarchy, it’s about connection. It says, “Here’s my name. Come and talk to me.” It reinforces that culture of first-name friendshipthat makes Rotary feel less like a formal organisation and more like a very well-organised family.

Yes, we may look like we’re permanently attending a conference icebreaker…

But when you walk into a Rotary meeting and everyone greets you by name, badge gleaming in handshake position, it feels less like a meeting and more like an episode of the 80s tv sitcom, Cheers.

Where everybody knows your name.

And they’re always glad you came.

And surely wouldn’t you want to go where everybody knows your name?

Evan Burrell