European Contact Clubs

In September 2021, the Rotary Club of Edinburgh formally joined a group of 5 Rotary Clubs from across Europe at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

The six Rotary Contact Clubs are: Lyon, Stuttgart, Lausanne, Torino Dora, Barcelona Diagonal and Edinburgh.

During the long history of the Contact Clubs since their founding 70 years ago, the clubs have evolved an admirable system of sharing responsibilities and of organising social events together. Each club in turn assumes the leadership of the group for one year. During their year the lead club organises a spring weekend (usually around winter sports) and an autumn weekend in their home town or one nearby. All members of the six clubs are welcome to attend these weekends. The lead club also identifies and organises a charitable project which is supported jointly by all the clubs. Each club is represented by one or more ‘Ambassadors’ who are in regular contact.

The Spring gathering was in March 2022 in Andorra.  Our members Linda Glmour and Jon Huffer have written a 'Letter from Andorra' which can be read here.

Our members and those in the other Contact Clubs enjoyed the gathering in Gerona in late September 2022 organised by RC Barcelona Diagonal.  The pictorial report of this meeting can be read here.

Next year, in 2023, the autumn meeting will be held in Lyon to coincide with the celebration of RC Lyon's centenary.  Their plans (in French) can be seen here.

In 2024, the Autumn Meeting will be held in Edinburgh.