Rotary Phoenix - Business in the Community Volunteering

Rotary’s Business in the Community Volunteering Programme involves volunteers from local businesses joining employees from other businesses, to undertake community projects, during working hours.

Rotary volunteering


In 2017 Thame Rotary met with some local business people to obtain their views on how they might work together in support of the community. A suggestion from Andrew King, Director of Richardsons Accountants resulted in the concept of the Rotary’s “Business in the Community Programme” being developed.

The scheme involves volunteers from local businesses joining employees from other businesses, to undertake community projects, during company time. Rotary identifies projects through its links with local authorities, local charities and other similar organisations. The projects are generally of a practical nature requiring a different skill set to those used during the volunteer’s normal work.

Andrew King said: “We are thrilled that so many other businesses in Thame have chosen to support our initiative.  It was created as a result of us being founder members of Reciprocate, which is a group of businesses that are working together to improve the lives of people in Oxfordshire.  The formation of the group grew from an idea from Tony Stratton, during his term as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 2014/15, with the official launch of Reciprocate on 15 March 2016 at the Ashmolean in Oxford.  It is a great idea from Reciprocate, but none of it would have happened without the enormous support of John Singer, who has worked relentlessly with the businesses and community in Thame to make this such a success.”

John Singer, Thame Rotary President said: “I was overwhelmed by the response from businesses I visited, as almost all of them immediately confirmed their support. In fact, I soon stopped as there was a danger we would have too many!”

The companies who are supporting the scheme in 2018 are Kubota Ltd, Lightfoots Solicitors, Lucy Electric Ltd, Oxfordshire Golf Hotel & Spa, Richardsons Chartered Accountants and Waitrose. There has also been a fantastic response from employees of these companies volunteering to do the work.

In the future we plan to promote the scheme to attract additional companies and would invite charities and similar organisations who have suitable projects to contact Rotary on www.thame.rotary1090.org or connect with us via www.facebook.com/thamerotary .

Any donations in suport of this programme will be appreciated:


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