Maak Drome Waar - Macht Träuma wahr - Realizemos os Sonhos
"Rotary takes ordinary people and gives them extraordinary opportunities to do more with their lives than they ever thought possible."
Clem Renouf -
President Rotary International 1978 - 1979
WHAT IS ROTARY?
Rotary is an organisation of business and community leaders who volunteer their time, skills and knowledge to help others in their community and throughout the world.
THE OBJECT OF ROTARY:
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
First. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.
Second. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
Third. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business and community life.
Fourth. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
HOW AND WHERE DID THIS MOVEMENT START?
The first service club was the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA. The club was formed on 23 February 1905 by lawyer Paul P. Harris and three friends - a merchant banker, a coal dealer and a mining engineer. Harris wanted to recapture the feeling of fellowship he had experienced amongst the business people in the small town in which he had grown up. The name "Rotary" came from the early practice of rotating meetings among member offices. Rotary is non-religious, non-governmental and open to all races, cultures and creeds. Currently there are some 1.2 million men and women belonging to over 29 500 clubs in virtually every nation of the world.
DO ROTARIANS FOLLOW A CODE OF ETHICS?
Yes, their actions are guided by the following questions (The 4-Way Test):
A: Is it the truth?
B: Is it fair to all concerned?
C: Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
D: Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
HOW CAN I BECOME A ROTARIAN?
Membership is by invitation; in other words, an established Rotarian recognises your worth and standing in the business community. He or she puts your name forward (also known as your sponsor) and you are then invited to join the Rotary Club by the members.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE MY SPOUSE AND MY CHILDREN AND HOW CAN THEY BECOME INVOLVED?
Participation by the family is encouraged. They are included in many of the club's activities. Children can join the Interact club, a junior Rotary movement established in certain schools. Rotaract caters for the young professionals normally ranging between the ages of 18 and 30 years old. Secondary school pupils can apply for short or long-term Youth exchange. Rotary Foundation's Ambassadorial scholarships programme is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships programme.
WHEN DO ROTARIANS MEET?
Rotarians meet weekly. There are Clubs that meet in the morning before work, at lunchtimes or in the early evening. The meetings last an hour, where either Rotary business is discussed or fascinating speakers are invited. The main thrust though, is fellowship and networking.
HOW WILL I SERVE THROUGH ROTARY?
As there are four Avenues of Service in Rotary - Community Service, Vocational Service, International Service and Club Service - you will be offered the line of service which suits your skills and experience.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES CAN ROTARY OFFER ME?
- You will meet like minded people form all corners of the world.
- You are welcomed as a member of the Rotary Family at any Club in the world.
- You will gain a sense of accomplishment from working with your peers on a variety of projects.
- You will develop extra skills that you can apply in the workplace.
- Being together with other Rotarians in a relaxed atmosphere, sharing problems and spending time on outings relieves stress. Rotary becomes a lifestyle.
ACTIVITIES OF DISTRICT 9350 (WESTERN CAPE)
- The feeding and clothing of the homeless.
- Youth development
- Environmental issues
- The provision of homes for abused and abandoned children
- Drug abuse, disease and the physically disabled. This district has joined the rest of the world in raising US $450 million for the purchase of polio vaccine, with the aim of eradicating polio worldwide in the year 2000.
- Education and literacy
- It is estimated that District 9350 distributes +/- 100 million rand to needy projects annually.
- Local Rotarians enjoy fellowship and lasting friendships while working on projects such as:
- The Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour
- The Pick 'n Pay Rotary Weekend Argus Knysna Cycle Tour
- The Big Walk
- The Community Chest Carnival at Maynardville
- Carols by candlelight
- Dragon boat races
- Food and wine festivals
- Golf days
WHERE CAN I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION?
Phone the nearest Rotary Club in your area (click here to find details) or contact the Rotary
District Office in Cape Town at (021) 421 6904 or email dist9350@iafrica.com.
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