When you get involved in Rotary you expand your perspective by honing your skills, learning from professionals, making new connections, and making a difference in your community and around the world.
We know that each member has a unique combination of interests, skills, and talents, and so each member will be attracted to different activities. This guide describes the options you can choose from to personalize your Rotary experience and get involved in ways that matter to you.
Following is a blueprint of how to participate in Rotary and engage as a Rotarian:
ATTEND CLUB MEETINGS AND EVENTS.
Introduce yourself to members in your club to get
to know them better. Being genuinely interested in others shows people you value them, and these small interactions can lead to lasting friendships. Our e-club offers a Speaker Series monthly on the third Tuesday at noon. See the website calendar for information on the program. On the calendar we will also post district events such as fundraisers, all district activities, special events, Rotary training programs. social activities, etc.
CREATE A MY ROTARY ACCOUNT.
When you register for a My Rotary account and create a profile, you can access Rotary’s online tools and locate and connect with members near and far using the Find a Member tool. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to ask one of our board members. This is very important to give you easy access to donating to the Rotary Foundation, finding a list of active global grants needing partners, Rotary training, Rotary interest stories, and more.
ATTEND DISTRICT MEETINGS AND EVENTS.
Clubs are grouped into more than 500 districts worldwide. By connecting with other clubs and leaders in your district, you can learn how to get involved in Rotary beyond your club and make a greater impact.
GET INVOLVED WITH CLUB INITIATIVES.
Volunteering to take part in a project, attend a meeting, or serve in a club role, such as being on a committee, will let you work with others in meaningful ways and contribute to your club’s impact. You can also suggest speakers from service and project partners or from other organizations that share Rotary’s values. Ask your club how you can help. We encourage you to share YOUR ideas and find a "job" within our club.
VISIT ANOTHER CLUB.
You can locate Rotary and Rotaract club meetings to attend using the Find a Club tool. You might think of ways to collaborate on club activities or hear of an idea you want to try with your club. Visiting other clubs fosters new connections and inspiration. You will always be welcome in any club around the world, and while traveling may make new friends, hear interesting speakers and learn how Rotary participates in their community.
JOIN A ROTARY FELLOWSHIP.
Meet others with similar interests by joining a Rotary Fellowship, an international group of people with a common hobby, identity, culture, or vocation. This is a fun way to make friends and explore a pastime or profession. We have several club members who have joined the Rotary Wine Fellowship.
JOIN A ROTARY ACTION GROUP.
These include people around the world who have expertise and passion in a particular area, such as economic development, education, the environment, or safe water. Join a Rotary Action Group to share your knowledge, develop your skills, and make professional and personal connections. One of our members, Isis Meijas, initiated WASH-RAG (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group). Additionally, there are three groups dedicated to promoting peace - Peace, Refugees, Slavery Prevention. Other groups focus on fighting disease - Addiction Prevention, Alzheimer's Dementia, Blindness Prevention, Blood and Organ Donation, Diabetes, Mental Health Initiatives, etc.
PARTICIPATE IN A ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE.
Experience different cultures and build international understanding and friendships. This program for Rotary members and friends prioritizes cultural immersion, international service, or vocational exchanges. Friendship Exchange participants take turns hosting one another in their homes and clubs. The Charlesworth's. have enjoyed several memorable trips as part of Rotary Friendship Exchanges with South Africa, Estonia, New Zealand, and Germany.
SUPPORT YOUR CLUB.
You can help your club thrive by offering your expertise and skills through serving as a club officer, as a committee member, or in another role.
PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES.
Find out what projects your club, neighboring clubs, and your district are working on and volunteer for one or more. Work with partners or conduct a community assessment to identify projects that would benefit your local area. Robert Stein, Community Service Chair, suggests areas of focus for project themes each month. In addition, we occasionally share projects of other Rotary clubs and they always appreciate more helping hands. In our e-club we mostly have individual efforts rather than club planned projects due to our wide distribution of members across state lines and even other countries. Robert would like to capture the time spent by our members in donating time and talent or money donated to community projects.
PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS.
Many clubs partner with clubs in other parts of the world to address a need in one of their communities. Together, they have more time and funding, as well as the expertise of members, partners, and Rotary program alumni to bring about sustainable, positive change. Find a project and get involved. We have club members who are engaged with international projects in Guatemala, Ghana, Ukraine, Venezuela, and more.
JOIN THE EFFORT TO ERADICATE POLIO.
Raise awareness about Rotary’s work to end polio, donate to the PolioPlus Fund, or volunteer for a National Immunization Day. Post about polio on social media or include a link to endpolio.org in your email signature. Write to us to learn about upcoming trips for NIDs. We ask each member to donate $50 or more to eradicate ate polio each year in addition to a donation to the Rotary Foundation,
WELCOME A YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT.
If your district is certified to participate in Rotary Youth Exchange, you can offer to host or help welcome
a student from another country, learn about their culture, share your culture with them, and create a memorable learning experience.
USE YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE.
Many districts have a district resource network of
local experts who can use their experience, technical knowledge, and project-planning skills to assist clubs in the design and implementation of meaningful projects. Contact your district international service chair to offer your skills to mentor clubs and improve communities.
SUPPORT AN INTERACT CLUB.
Interact clubs bring together people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while participating in service. If your club sponsors or co-sponsors an Interact club, you can help empower Interactors to make a difference in their communities and globally by supporting their service-learning projects. We provide college scholarships for Interact students attending Klein Forest High School.
PARTICIPATE IN ROTARY YOUTH
LEADERSHIP AWARDS.
RYLA events provide opportunities to build leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, while having fun and forming lasting friendships. This year we covered the sponsorship to send our exchange student to this weekend retreat. We also had several club members assisting with the program.
PERFORM ACTS OF KINDNESS.
Being gracious and caring empowers all parties involved and contributes to people’s mental well-being. In Rotary, you have many opportunities to make
a positive impact on someone’s life by expressing kindness.
TAKE COURSES IN THE LEARNING CENTER.
Beyond the courses mentioned elsewhere in this guide, you can find online courses about specific Rotary programs, policies, and leadership roles, as well as more general skill development. Courses are available in more than 20 languages.
CONNECT WITH TOASTMASTERS.
Rotary’s alliance with Toastmasters International means you can take leadership courses to develop and practice your skills. You can also visit a meeting or work with a Toastmasters club on joint initiatives.
ATTEND A PROJECT FAIR.
Meet people with whom you can collaborate on international projects. Project fairs typically last two or three days and can include visits to project sites as well as opportunities to experience the local culture. These activities let visitors learn about the community and build long-lasting relationships with their hosts.
ATTEND THE CONVENTION.
The Rotary International Convention is held in a different international city each year. You’ll meet members from around the world, learn how to expand our impact, and enjoy inspiring talks from global leaders, celebrities, and activists. RI Convention this year is in Singapore and Leenette Wilke will be sharing at a breakout session regarding Mental Heath and Rotary Youth Exchange students.
EXPLORE OTHER CULTURES.
Because Rotary and Rotaract clubs are all over the world, you can visit clubs when you travel and experience how diverse clubs in other towns or countries are. In addition to programs like Friendship Exchange or Youth Exchange, this is a way to broaden your intercultural understanding, build friendships, and learn about a region’s history and customs.
CONNECT WITH TOASTMASTERS.
Rotary’s alliance with Toastmasters International means you can take leadership courses to develop and practice your skills. You can also visit a meeting or work with a Toastmasters club on joint initiatives.
ATTEND A PROJECT FAIR.
Meet people with whom you can collaborate on international projects. Project fairs typically last two or three days and can include visits to project sites as well as opportunities to experience the local culture. These activities let visitors learn about the community and build long-lasting relationships with their hosts.