ROTARY - COME AND JOIN US

February 23rd was Rotary's 119th birthday. It was in February 1905 that Paul Harris and three friends met in Chicargo and discussed how they could help their communities. From this meeting Rotary International was born.

Clubs all over the world recognise this date as World Rotary Day and try to publicise the work of Rotary.  Our most well know programme is End Polio Now and it is at this time of year you will see purple crocus springing up around Minehead.  The most noticeable is the outline of the Rotary Wheel on the bank of the A39 just past the roundabout with Seaward Way and alongside the Rugby Club.  These purple crocus were planted by Rotarians many years ago to recognise the work done by Polio Vaccinators around the world.  Each child that received the vaccination had their fingernail painted purple to show they had been vaccinated.  The crocus can also be seen in Blenheim Gardens.

This Rotary programme has almost eradicated polio from the world.  We have reduced cases by 99.9% since 1988 and are detirmined to make this 100% within the next few years.

This years Youth competitions are reaching the final stages and it will soon be time to start planning for next year.  These competitions and other Rotary Youth events are a great way to encourage and develop our young people but we need help to stage them.

Rotary is always in need of more volunteers to help us provide and support the many projects we run. Our club is open to all and we have an active social side and will welcome any new individuals that come along to our fortnightly meetings on a Monday evening at the Northfield Hotel, Minehead.

By joining the 1.4 million Rotarians around the world you really can make a difference to so many lives. Why not give it a try.

John Baker

President.