The members of the Caring Committee shall coordinate and provide support to fellow High Noon Rotary Club members, and their families, who seek assistance when concerns arise relating to internal Club or personal issues.

The Caring Committee is a new committee of the High Noon Rotary Club. In past years the functions of the Caring Committee have been handled on an ad hoc basis by individual Club Members and / or the Board.

Ideally, the Caring Committee should be comprised of six members evenly split between women and men. Gender mix is critical given the different personal needs of women and men (and boys and girls). Members should also be representative of age groups within the Club. Issues that may arise for Club Members will be different for young or mature singles, members with young or grown families, and senior members. The majority of Caring Committee members should be Blue Badge members (however, not to exclude Red Badge members). Caring Committee members should be individuals generally known and accepted for their empathy, credibility and discretion.

• To be accepted by Club Members as a group to whom sensitive issues may be brought for discrete discussion, support and possible resolution.
• To serve as a non-threatening forum for helping to clarify and resolve internal Club disputes within the guidance of the Four Way Test.
• To serve Club Members and their families in times of personal crisis with direct support or coordination of needed support.

• Concerns must be brought to the attention of a Caring Committee member by Club Members and / or their families. The Caring Committee should not interject into personal matters unless assistance is requested.
• All concerns brought to the Caring Committee are confidential for the Committee and Board unless the concerned Club Member or President authorizes public statements.
• The Club President may be consulted about any concern at any time.
• A quorum (4) of the Caring Committee will meet and discuss concerns that are brought to the attention of a Caring Committee member. The committee may consult with the President, refer a concern to the Board, act on a concern, or defer action on a concern.
• Concerns which must be brought to the attention and review of the President and the Board include:
• A concern whose resolution requires action from the Board as provided in the by-laws or by accepted Board policy.
• A concern which could lead to censure or removal of a Club Member.
• A concern whose resolution requires the action of another Club committee.
• A concern whose resolution requires an expenditure in excess of the monthly budget allotment of the Caring Committee.
• Any concern which the Caring Committee responsibly believes should be reviewed by the President and Board because of the unusual nature of the concern.
• Any action of the Caring Committee which would be viewed as a final action regarding a concern.

• In past years a line item in the Club budget has existed for "Helping Hand Giving". Over the last several years this budget item has contained a null register and has not been used. It has been proposed that the budget item be eliminated.
• The budget item should be maintained as the "Helping Hand" fund. This item should be the operating budget for the Caring Committee.
• The initial annual budget for the Helping Hand fund should be $1,200.00. The monthly budget allotment will be $100. Recommended expenditures exceeding $100 / month will be brought to the attention of the Board as described above.
• The Helping Hand fund will be used for caring related gifts or services for Club Members or their families. The fund will not be used for cash grants without the explicit approval of the Board.