What is Rotary

Rotary is about helping communities, both local and internationally through our network of clubs. It is a non-religious and non-political organization comprised of both men and women. There are 75 clubs in our area and they do some fantastic work each year. We raise approximately £2.2million each year and spend around 100,000 hours helping the less fortunate in our communities, true to our motto – ‘Service Above Self’.

Rotary Clubs in our Communities

Our clubs meet as and when they need, in order to progress their events and projects. We are ordinary people from our communities wanting to put something back into them. By working together we achieve extraordinary results for the communities in which we live and work

Rotary International Service

We are a world-wide player; with 1.2 million Rotarians in over 200 countries, we assisted in forming UNICEF and have a seat on the United Nations. We have partnered with the World Health Organization and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and together we’ve been working tirelessly to eradicate the crippling disease of Polio from the world. When we started this mission, back in 1985, there were over 350,000 cases a year but in 2017 (for example) there were just 22 cases world-wide To give you a current example each year Rotarians in India organise the immunisation of 170 million children under the age of 5 years in just four days!

We regularly help communities in developing countries with water and sanitation projects, basic ducation and literacy, prevention and treatment of disease, maternal and child health, and preventionof hunger initiatives. In addition we also give economic and community development assistance. We also raise funds for and distribute Disaster Boxes to help families displaced by e.g. earthquakes. 

Beyond all of that with the help of the community we fill around 26,000 Christmas Shoeboxeseach year and distribute them to needy children overseas, many of whom do not receive any other Christmas gifts.

We have our own charity - The Rotary Foundation - which receives and spends $1million a day supporting sustainable projects around the world and has only an 8% administration overhead - very low by any charity standard. All our clubs’ project money is handled through partnering with other Rotary clubs in the areas of need where their projects are carried out - meaning 100% goes to the project. 

Rotary Youth Services

We support young people with our youth competitions - Young Chef, Young Writer,Young Musician, Young Technologist, Young Photographer, Youth Speaks - and those who win in the local competitions progress to regional and national finals. We encourage and support young people to undertake projects in their communities through ‘Rotakids’ (7-11 year olds in school), then ‘Interact’ (12-18 years old also in schools) and finally through Rotaract (18 – 30 year olds in University and beyond. Each of these age groups run community projects and additionally Interact is a Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme approved provider.

The minimum age to join a Rotary club is 18. If you can't find time to join a club and go to a meeting there is the option of joining as an e-member, where you can contribute electronically. 

Business Partners

Clubs are actively looking to partner with Businesses and Community Organizations in order to hep make their communities better places in which to live. Businesses can deliver their Corporate Social Responsibility through Rotary by becoming a business partner which allows them to tick the ‘CSR’ box when tendering for government work.

Businesses can contribute by giving money, time or goods and/or services to help a project, from as little as £50-£150 per annum (set by individual clubs) to become a business partner.

Benefits of Rotary Membership

When we are doing projects or events all our community activities are fully insured nationally as part of our membership fees which are only just under £10 per month, or in equivalent terms, 4 cups of Americano at a reputable coffee house.

So what else do members gain? Public speaking skills, project management skills, self-confidence, and leadership skills - all courses that business pay thousands of pounds for, and of course you also gain new friends and have a whole load of fun.

Members are also entitled to visit any other Rotary club anywhere in the world, whether away on business or just on holiday, often resulting in new friends and help, if needed, all over the world.

Why not join us? E-mail me for further details.
 

Lawrence 'Tris' Tristram

District Governor 2019/20   
dg@rotary1110.org