Rotary International is a volunteer organization of 1.2 million business and professional leaders worldwide united to provide humanitarian service and build goodwill, international understanding and peace. Founded in Chicago in 1905 as the world’s first volunteer service organization, Rotary quickly expanded around the globe. Today 30,000 Rotary clubs in about 200 countries and geographical areas serve their communities and conduct projects to address major challenges: illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, and environmental concerns — while encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations.
As the world’s largest private provider of International scholarships, The Rotary Foundation each year allows over 1,000 students to study abroad and serve as cultural ambassadors. PolioPlus is Rotary’s flagship program. The number of cases per year worldwide has decreased from over 38,000 in 1985, when Rotary took up the challenge, to about 1,000 per year in 2009. By the time polio is eradicated, Rotary club members will have contributed countless volunteer hours, trips to NID’s (national immunization days) and over US$850 million to immunize more than two billion children in 122 countries.
Belonging to a Rotary club gives men and women an enjoyable and organized way to make a difference in their community and around the world. Rotary members meet weekly to plan club, community, and international service activities. By using their skills and expertise globally, members also enhance their professional network, career development, and cross-cultural understanding.
Rotary clubs are nonreligious, nonpolitical, and open to every gender, race, culture, and creed. Members represent a cross-section of local business, professional, and community leaders.
Established in 1947, The Rotary Club of Seaside has a proud tradition of “Service Above Self.” Some members have been active for decades; others are newer; and all are part fo the “Rotary family.” Seaside’s 40+ members work hard on service projects locally and around the world. As a sample, Seaside Rotarians adopt parks, assist the safe grad party, plant trees, bring aid to seniors at home and to children without a dentist, provide dictionaries to fourth graders, take on projects that reduce poverty, and bring fresh water and basic sanitation to villages around the world, plus we bring joy at Christmas to needy children in our community. You’ll find Rotarians pitching in to make our community a better place to live, work and raise families.
To explore becoming a member of Rotary, contact Membership Chair Al Peinhardt (click for email) or call 503 dash 717 dash 4197.
DS, SM, AP
We Meet Thursdays, 12:00 Noon
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