WHAT IS ROTARY?
Rotary is a service organization of business and professional men and women united worldwide, conducting humanitarian projects, encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations, and working toward world understanding and peace. Today there are more than 1.2 million members of Rotary in 185 nations on six continents around the world.
Rotarians are individuals of good character and good business or professional reputation, who hold or have held an executive position with discretionary authority in any worthy and recognized business or profession.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF
MERCER ISLAND
The Rotary Club of Mercer Island was chartered in December 1963 (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kirkland) to meet the needs of Mercer Island residents, business and community leaders who wanted a Rotary relationship. A number of our founding members are still active today. The club has grown over the years to more than 140 members who meet at noon every Tuesday, at the Mercer Island Community Center at Mercer View.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF
A ROTARIAN?
Rotary is built upon fellowship and friendship enhanced by regular attendance at club meetings. It is understood that, among busy people a problem of attendance may arise. When members miss a meeting, they are expected tomake-up at another Rotary Club either during the two weeks before or the two weeks following the missed meeting. This is generally easy since there are over 28,000 Rotary Clubs worldwide with over 50 clubs in the Puget Sound area. The time and place of club meetings are listed in the Official Directory available to every member as well as Rotary International's internet site.
HOW DOES ONE BECOME
A ROTARIAN?
Membership is by invitation only, and is based on choosing representatives, past or present, of each business and profession in the community. The purpose of the “classification” system is to ensure that the members of each club constitute a true cross section of the community’s business and professional establishment.
WHAT IS ROTARY SERVICE?
The emphasis of Rotary is placed upon creating within individuals, the Ideal of Service Members are encouraged and supported in both club and personal =activities in civic, youth and public service organizations. The Rotary Club of Mercer Island undertakes a wide variety of service activities in vocational, community and international promotion of goodwill and understanding. Typical programs supported include:
- Mercer Island Youth & Family Services
- Boys & Girls Club of Mercer Island
- Student Awards and Scholarships
- Youth Club Sponsorship
- International Youth Exchange
- Worldwide Polio Eradication Programs
- Aid to Third World Countries
- Food Banks
- Career Awareness Programs
- Senior Citizen Recognition
- Citizenship Awards
- City Park Development & Beautification
- Blood Bank Drives
- Support for the Homeless
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF
MEMBERSHIP?
You broaden your circle of friends and acquaintances and experience opportunity for fellowship. You keep “in touch” with the mainstream of community life and the people who make it “tick.” You obtain increased knowledge of business and professions other than your own and you gain a sympathetic understanding of the problems of others. You develop your talents and capacities in roles of leadership and support. You gain recognition for yourself and your business or profession by participating in a distinguished international organization dedicated to service.
You are enabled to express, in a practical way, those nobler desires found in every person who wants to make a contribution to the betterment of society. You find individuals with whom to share your interests. You develop contacts in every business and profession represented in the club membership. You increase your knowledge of community and world affairs, and you receive a keener appreciation of the customs and cultures of other people.
You will have a warm welcome and a friendly contact in almost every important city in the world.
WHAT IS THE COST OF
BELONGING?
Induction Fee is $50.00 which covers the administrative costs of induction. An additional $100 is paid as your initial contribution to The Rotary Foundation, and you thus become a Sustaining Member of the Rotary Foundation.
Annual Fees are $225 which include a subscription to The Rotarian, the monthly Rotary International magazine, and Dawn, the weekly news bulletin of the Rotary Club of Mercer Island.
The Rotary Foundation: Every Rotarian is asked to contribute financial support to Rotary Foundation's projects. This is accomplished by making annual contributions to the Foundation, and our club has a history of one hundred percent participation. Rotarians who make lifetime contributions of $1,000 or more become Paul Harris Fellows, and those who make lifetime contributions of $10,000 or more become Major Donors of the Foundation.
|
